Puffer

I did succumb to these; details here: https://hhplace.org/topic/25644-asos-chelsea-boots/

These ‘ASOS DESIGN heeled chelsea boots in black faux leather with chain detail’ seemed to me to provide the right balance between enjoyment and discretion and I could no longer resist them when a double discount was on offer. I usually wear a UK11 or 12 and opted for 12 (securing the last pair, it seems) to allow thicker socks if needed. First impressions were favourable – a 3 5/8” heel, a zipped shaft taller than the online advert implied, and an almond toe. The fit was good and comfortable indoors. The ‘round’ heel may not appeal to some, but it is not really noticeable. Likewise, the gilt chain detail is perhaps rather too ‘blingy’, but could be removed. The hollow plastic heels were, as expected, rather noisy – and the plastic top pieces will obviously wear and need replacement. I decided to modify them before wearing them outdoors. The top pieces (held by four pegs) were carefully prised off and fitted with discs of 1/4" composition material, glued on. (I used a hole cutter, without its centre drill, to produce discs just a tad too large, which were then reduced and smoothed on my grinding wheel before glueing.) To dampen noise, I filled the hollow heels with compacted sawdust, with pieces of crimped drinking straw inserted temporarily into the peg holes to stop sawdust entering. The top pieces were then pressed in; the fit seems firm enough not to need any adhesive. The composition layer can of course be removed when worn and replaced. Adding the extra layer to the top piece has increased the heel height to 3 7/8”. The balance of the boots has not been affected; indeed, they sit rather better with the extra height. I wore them outside briefly with thick socks and bootcut jeans and they seem comfortable enough. The pics show the boots as received, as worn with bootcut jeans, and the stages of heel modification.

Agree that she is attractive (if without a discernable figure) and does indeed favour high heels, despite being 5'10". There's hope for the world yet!

I know nothing of the actress 'Zendaya', who is apparently the star of a forthcoming tennis-themed film 'Challengers'. But she was pictured in Rome wearing a pair of eye-catching 5" white stilettos with tennis balls impaled on the heels. It is apparent that the heels are parallel-sided 'dowels' in shape. They look like the style of shoes jkrenzer would favour - if he has the balls!

Interesting boots - but don't wear them on safari or you might become a target!

I too have received Temu e-mails. It is a Chinese marketplace (somewhat like Amazon) with a wide range of products, mostly at low competitive prices - especially where the same item is offered by several sellers. Although some customers have complained about missing, damaged or incorrect items, the general trend is of satisfaction. I recently bought a selection of small tools and workshop items with a total cost of about £17 (with free delivery for £15+) and they arrived within a week exactly as ordered and with no apparent defects. There is a free returns service if needed. I did search more widely on the Temu website and there are many footwear items offered - including a large number of high-heeled shoes, boots and sandals, including stilettos. So, I am surprised that Bubba could not see any; maybe the offerings to US customers are different? I don't know what the quality is like; the low prices (typically £10 - 40) may be indicative.

I can certainly identify with Bubba136's view that a lot of civilisation went downhill from the mid-60s, as the rock-n-roll era was replaced by the hippie culture. And recovery has been impeded by the fact that (i) the majority of the hippies are still with us; (ii) the next generation or two have been directly influenced by their hippie ancestors. However, we must be careful if trying to establish a causative link: arguing post hoc ergo propter hoc ['after this and therefore because of this'] often results in a fallacious result. But I still blame the disciples of flower power!

I look forward to hearing how you like them! I see that the price has reduced to £36.40 - very tempting!

It all depends upon what one regards as truly 'feminine' in appearance. On the basis that most of the present clumpy and ugly footwear is rarely worn by anyone other than a female, they can indeed be regarded as 'feminine' in style and appearance. But that doesn't make them automatically attractive, let alone pretty or elegant, in the way that most 'feminine' apparel is designed to be, even if (such as lingerie) it is not intended to be on show. Leaving the truly grungy and the light and strappy aside, few of the prevailing female footwear styles are attractive to look at and I doubt they are particularly comfortable either.

These appear to be a recent ASOS introduction; sizes UK 6 - 12 and £56.00. The height of the rounded heel looks to be close to 4". Sleek looking - although the chain detail may not appeal, but is much more discreet than that on previous offerings. Now, this is a boot that I would wear!

I'm sure you will remain OK for work - as long as you don't wear stilettos up a ladder. It is my birthday today so I am naturally feeling a little more vulnerable as yet another year passes, especially as the physical activities I have been carrying out in retirement (some 10 years now) progressively become a little more onerous. But, around the family, there is a steady demand for plumbing, electrics, joinery, etc etc - none of which was in my original contracts of employment ...!

Are you referring to the potential time that your employment might last, or to the remaining time during which you expect to remain on the planet and fit for work? If the former, then (as Bubba says) you should not find it too hard to get alternative and suitably lucrative work.

What do you mean by 'until'? 😁 I doubt that, as a political columnist and commentator, you will be offered much work. There are far too many around already!

Elegant and properly-proportioned classic courts - very nice!

Are you thinking of the New Zealander (in Christchurch, I think) who wore a man's suit jacket with a skirt and stilettos for work (in car sales?), and typically a dress and stilettos for socialising, seemingly with little or no adverse reaction? I can't think of his name but he has been absent for some time now.

Twas ever thus, especially in the north east (and Scotland).

Perhaps we only heard the 'for man' version in the UK, where we care more about correct use of language and so had something to discuss over the years! Interestingly, the official transcript is undecided whether the 'a' is included or not.

I have heard and read otherwise, more than once, although I agree that there is some doubt. Armstrong has often been criticised for (apparently) saying 'for man' (which equates to 'mankind' and is therefore a tautology) - although one can forgive him in all the circumstances. If he had (correctly) said - and been clearly heard to have said - 'for a man', there would have been no need for comment over many years.

Thus demonstrating the difference between 'a man's boot' and 'a male boot'. I suppose too that one could say about a heel-wearing man: 'one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind'. (A pity that Neil Armstrong spoiled such an apt quote by saying '... for man ...'.)

If (and I repeat 'if') the existing rod could be removed (or indeed partially drilled out from the 'break end'), it should then give a hole that would take a new rod, maybe larger in diameter and certainly longer. The trick then would be to bore a corresponding hole in proper register in the mating section so that they could be accurately reunited. Not easy but might be worth a try. I wonder what diameter the existing rod is?

I have done this on a heel thinner than Melrose's, inserting a 1/8" steel rod. There was no issue with strength or bending but getting everything true and in register was the problem, which is why I am doubtful of success.

You could do this, but the main difficulty will be accurately drilling both pieces so that they are in exact register when re-joined, and with the two holes in the same vertical alignment. Nothing to lose by trying it!

What a joy it is when something in brown or grey comes along! 😍

I recall that TLSB made shoes for other outlets too, notably 'Cover Girl' (now also defunct, following the death of the proprietor), not far away in Islington. I bought a pair of sandals with 5" stiletto heels from CG in 1972; I think they cost about £10! Well-made in leather to my measurements, they were not as easy to walk in as I would have wished and were never worn outside the house. Now something of a collectors' item, I sold them a few years ago and I expect they are being worn and enjoyed somewhere - I hope so. CG regularly advertised shoes with 6" heels, for which there appeared to be a steady demand.

What Bubba136 and Shyheels say about gender-specific or unisex clothing makes perfect sense; too much regard is paid to labels and not nearly enough to style, fit and choice. Bubba rightly reminds us of the many 'male' items of clothing that have been 'borrowed' (and in some cases adapted) for female wear. Loafers are a prime example: originally a casual men's shoe, copied and widely worn by women and which can have a heel ranging from nearly flat to a high slim stack, and sometimes with a platform too. A timeless so-called women's style that is eminently suitable for men to take back and wear with confidence. The pics below show just two examples - variations are almost endless: