Puffer

I was at a modest family function yesterday morning - a granddaughter's third birthday party in a village hall.   The guests were mostly couples in their early thirties with their children aged  from 2 months to about 8 years.   Of the dozen or so mums present, all were wearing trousers (except for one in leggings), and all were in nondescript flat shoes or boots.   Whilst it wasn't a 'dressy' occasion in the accepted sense, it was disappointing to see that none of the women had made any real attempt to depart from very casual 'weekend' wear.   And the men were but little smarter; I was almost the only one not wearing trainers.

18 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Conner’s in Britain wouldn’t be any fun either

I think you mean 'conkers' (hoarse chessnut 🤥).

22 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I’ve got two forms of heat - a coal stove which is my main form of heating during the winter, and a central heating system, diesel fuelled, with hot water radiators. I don’t want to start burning coal just yet and so have been using the radiators to take the morning chill off. It’s pretty chilly today so I’m tempted to light the fire. Thank goodness for tall warm boots!

I assume that, as is conventional, the central heating is fed from the engine's cooling system - or do you have an auxiliary diesel boiler?

22 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I’ll defer to an expert who actually wears Louboutin Hot Chicks that the added height of a 13cm heel is challenging enough without adding poor quality fit, manufacture and materials into the mix. 

Agreed - but one cannot assume that a copy Hot Chick (or any other footwear) is of 'poor quality fit, manufacture and materials' without actually inspecting and trying it.   If there was universal condemnation (at least in the UK/US) of Chinese footwear imports, it is most unlikely that they would still be actively marketed there, which is clearly not the case although of course there are both good and bad reviews.

20 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I’m sure there are plenty of knock offs but this one misses the boat a little because the original Hot Chicks had 13cm heels - that extra centimetre makes a world of difference as @higherheels can tell you! And I somehow suspect that wearing a cheap knock off of Hot Chicks with a 13cm heel (if such a thing is available) would be a great way to end up in A&E with a twisted ankle and a dumb backstory

It was not clear from mlr's comment if he was referring specifically to 13cm Hot Chicks, but there are Chinese clones of these available too, along with many other styles of 13cm (and higher) heels.   And it is purely speculative to say that wearing any of them must be dangerous, although no doubt some are poorly made or poorly fitting and pose a hazard - but only someone who has tried a particular pair could comment on that.   And, as I understand the many online comments by genuine Hot Chick owners, the real thing is not easy to wear, comfortably and safely, either.   I have also read that, although they are discontinued, Louboutin will still make the 13cm Hot Chick as a 'special order' - at a hefty price, of course.

1 hour ago, mlroseplant said:

...

What I am looking to purchase never really existed in the first place, as far as I can tell. There is a carbon copy So Kate (with 11 cm heel), but there is no carbon copy Hot Chick. In fact, there isn't even a real Hot Chick anymore. They quit making the 13 cm version a few years ago. I am not complaining, I'm just saying that I have plenty enough heels from the 7 - 11 cm range, and I just don't feel like buying more right now. Which is absolutely a good thing for a guy who's about to be laid off, most probably.

I claim no expertise in identifying Louboutin copies, but it took me just two minutes to find this offering on AliExpress, which appears to mimic Hot Chick (12cm heel) closely - in appearance, if probably not in quality.  All for £30 and in big sizes too.   And there are many others similar.

On 10/20/2025 at 10:28 AM, mlroseplant said:

Part of it is, I've been working more than I would like, but I still somehow manage to have time to come on here and comment. The other part of it is, like @Cali says, I just haven't really seen anything like I like. Specifically, the stuff I like is not high enough. I see plenty of stuff that looks cool. I see some stuff that looks absolutely beautiful. The problem is, it seems to be all mid-heels (or what is a mid-heel to me). I'm not going to buy yet another pair of shoes anymore unless the heels are 4 1/2"+ (11 cm). There isn't that much out there in that category that is not hundreds of dollars.

On 10/20/2025 at 11:47 AM, Shyheels said:

That’s true, there is little in the way of genuinely high heels unless you are paying Louboutin prices. I quite like mid heel boots but even there, I’m seeing where mid heel is now reckoned to be about two inches, or 5cm, and “high” heels are 7cm.

i would want 8cm at least for my mid heel boots but they are rare and tend to be pretty ugly when I do see some.

From a UK perspective, I find that rather surprising.   Whilst it is certainly true that genuinely high (4"+) heels, especially stilettos, are fairly rare on the high street and on some major retailers websites, there is still quite a large selection online from e.g. ASOS and the smaller and more specialised outlets, quite apart from the likes of AliExpress, Amazon etc - which regularly offer heels of 5", 6" or even more.   Clearly, most of these are Chinese-made and may be of unknown quality or fit (buyer beware), but they do exist and are being actively sought and bought.    I do wonder if the limited availability from local or other physical shops is self-defeating - would more heels be bought if they were more actively promoted in the high street and on display?   There must be very many (youngish) women who have never had a proper opportunity simply to try 'high heels' properly, and I can't believe that they are not at least curious, however much society seems to condemn high heels for one reason or another.

23 hours ago, Shyheels said:

How many police reports include an inventory of everything g the driver was wearing? Unless it was something spectacular, like you were driving home in your Folies Bergère costume, nobody is likely to notice 

On 10/19/2025 at 9:33 AM, Shyheels said:

Hmmmm. I still think the odds of anyone being taken to court for driving barefoot or in heels is vanishingly small. There would have to be some truly spectacular other factors and even then that would just be an extra charge thrown in for good measure.

I think you miss the point.   If stopped for any reason (realistic or not) by the police (e.g. manner of driving; speeding etc), an officer will usually check both the vehicle (tyres etc) and the driver (drink/drugs?).   Any unusual footwear or clothing, if seen, is likely to excite his interest if it suggests in his opinion some 'impairment of control', or worse.   But the principal situation would be police involvement after some type of accident, whether or not involving a third party - in which case any evidence of possible impairment will be noted.

I did not, and do not, suggest that simply being observed driving whilst wearing heels is likely to lead to any form of report, charge or prosecution.   Of course it won't, unless it clearly constitutes some danger in itself or is said to have been potentially contributory to one.   

I suggest we leave it there; further speculation has little merit and the only opinion that really matters is that of a police officer on the spot.

23 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Yes but proving it would be another matter - virtually impossible and I can’t see a public prosecutor being interested in pursuing a comp,I aged and likely unprovable case … for what? 

The evidence offered by a police officer would be considered, with other factors, by the court.   And the civil aspect is perhaps even more important in that any third party claim is very likely to involve consideration of apportionment of negligence, with a loss of control due to inappropriate footwear being a potentially key factor.   It is by no means as trivial or clear-cut as you suggest.

This from the AA:  

'In 2010, the AA conducted a survey and found that 27% of people said their choice of shoes led to difficulty while driving. Around 5% went as far as to say their footwear caused them to drive dangerously, lose control, or even have an accident. Evidently, the kind of driving shoes you wear really does make a difference – no matter the weather or road conditions.

You may be tempted during warmer months to drive without shoes. However, according to Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers should make sure “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner." Failure to do so can result in fines or a penalty. Driving barefoot isn’t illegal, but it’s also not advised.'

There is no specific UK law that prohibits driving barefoot, or in any particular type of footwear such as stilettos or flip-flops.   But it would not be difficult to frame a charge on the blanket basis of 'failing to control' a vehicle properly if, following a collision or other motor accident, it is alleged that particular footwear (or the lack of it) caused or contributed to the lack of control.   There have certainly been instances where individual drivers have been challenged by the police when wearing e.g. skimpy mules, high heels, heavy boots or wellies.   Let's be honest, all of those footwear choices can prevent full pedal sensitivity and control, especially if wet or muddy.

On 10/14/2025 at 4:40 AM, Cali said:

I can drive in my high stiletto heels, but it recks the outside of the heel. And it has put a hole in my rubber floor mat. So now I will take the right heel off while driving.

In a 'proper' car (manual gearbox), we use both feet!   And probably better to replace both stilettos than having a pair of mismatched shoes on to drive.   

On TV last night, I saw part of a quiz programme with 'celebrity' parent and child teams.   The attractive daughter (19) of her (equally attractive) TV sports reporter mother had long legs in long trousers (a little baggier than bootcut) which partially concealed her boots, with what looked like a close-to-4" slimmish block heel.   It was good to see a pretty teenager wearing 'proper' heels but, alas, she did not walk that well in them when striding to and from the podium.   I think that her mother (usually in 4" stilettos for formal appearances, as last night) needs to give her some lessons.

On 10/11/2025 at 6:19 AM, CrushedVamp said:

,,,

One of my houses is an old Victoriam home with 9 foot ceilings. It is just enough so that even stretched out I cannot get to the crown molding, but yet a folding set of steps is overkill. But wearing high heels... yep that would work out just right. Putting up curtains wearing high heels would help as well.

My Victorian house has 10' ceilings on the ground floor; steps are essential for any overhead work; heels would not suffice.   My wife is a skilled seamstress and has made some beautiful (and quite elaborate) curtains for the floor-ceiling drop in those high rooms.   They are heavy and take two people to fit or take down.   I recently described my wife to a friend as someone 'who readily runs-up curtains' - and maybe I should have added 'but not in high heels', to further confuse the listener.  (I'm assuming that 'runs-up' is generally understood outside the UK to mean 'makes', as by sewing or carpentry.)

I have recently been doing a great deal of work in my middle stepson's rebuilt and extended house.   My wife has also been there, doing painting.   I have lost count of the times she has taken away from me my short stepladder or hop-up platform because her painting target was just - only just - out of reach.   My suggestion that a pair of comfy 4" wedge heels would have been her more convenient option was not well-received, alas.

On 10/6/2025 at 5:24 PM, Shyheels said:

Ah yes but I often wear skinny jeans as I like to wear my tall boots over them. Skinny jeans snd hiking or mountaineering boots looks a bit unbalanced 

I quite agree!   Although I like the look of skinny jeans, I would not expect to pair them with very chunky footwear (not that I normally wear such) nor any with long pointed toes (which I do like to wear).   One could easily look somewhat cartoonish with seemingly big/heavy feet (whatever their actual size) sticking out from spindly legs.   Boot-cut jeans are (as one would expect) usually a good companion to high-heeled boots, with the advantage of concealing at least part of the heel height if its detection in public wearing would be an embarassment, as many of us have to admit is a concern.

You may find this article from the Daily Mail's 'You' magazine (5 October) interesting, if discouraging:

3 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Those do indeed look big. I’d hate to imagine them in my size. One of the things I like about my stiletto knee boots is that they minimise rather than exaggerate my big feet - unlike my heavy Vibram soled hiking boots!

I'm not sure what mlr meant by 'giant' as the sandals, although a little on the chunky side as to strappery, are far from inelegant and, like most sandals, surely tend to minimise foot size?   And the heels, although commendably high, are in proportion.  I have the same size feet as Shyheels and have rarely felt awkward about their magnitude, whether in sandals, shoes or boots - with the exception of those with a thick sole and/or a very rounded toe, which I avoid.   Whilst I do like pointed toes, they too can look out of proportion if exaggerated.

On 10/4/2025 at 2:23 PM, Shyheels said:

For me a platform adds an element of clunkiness that I’ll suits the elegance of a stiletto. They don’t go together. It’s like adding a snow plough to a Lamborghini 

Assuming that you meant 'ill-suits', I completely agree.   Even a 1/2" platform can upset the visual balance of stiletto-heeled footwear - anything above 1" upsets the physical balance too, and Crushed Vamp's wife's red courts are at the limit imho.

On 10/5/2025 at 10:23 AM, mlroseplant said:

I typically wear platforms of about 1 inch or so. I've some that are thicker, but none that even approach 2 inches. For me, it is judgment on a case-by-case basis. I sometimes don't mind a thick platform, but there has to be enough heel to go with it. I never cared for the early 2000s style, usually a pump, of 5 1/2 inch heel with 2 inch platform. Those were everywhere once upon a time, even in my town. If you were to go to any halfway dress up event, you'd see this style of shoe on many several women. At the time I always thought, "Too much platform, not enough heel." Now, I wish that style would come back. Those shoes are far preferable to what you see nowadays.

I agree with your first statement (especially when there was a tiny peeptoe too), but am most reluctant to agree with your second.   Certainly, there are many totally uninspiring footwear fashions around at present but big platforms are not the answer.

Please do keep this thread going, melrose.   It is appreciated, enjoyed and does indeed prompt considered response - on tangential issues as well as to the specific subject matter.

On 9/2/2025 at 10:28 AM, mlroseplant said:

I always suspected that you were just about half a bubble off plumb.  .  .

I strive to be at least as accurate as that! 📐🔨  My middle stepson may well have a view after I have finished assembling and fitting a whole series of wardrobes in his refurbished and extended house, where the floors are out of level by typically 2-3mm per metre across the wardrobe width. 

14 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Sometimes on the boat I can find it a bit odd. If the water level in the canal drops, which happens fairly often, the boat will be on a slight list (or something more severe if you’re unlucky or don’t know not to moor your boat in certain places) If it’s just a slight list you sometimes won’t detect it until you put on your heels  and suddenly feel as though you’d never worn heels before. And if you’re just learning in 12cm heels it can be quite challenging 

Regardless of the water level and any motion, a narrowboat is always going to be sensitive to the effects of loading - and that includes someone walking around.   It can be slightly unnerving to find that the boat lists slightly one way, and then the other, and when walking around (in heels or not) one can feel as though slightly drunk!   Also, as I well recall when doing some work on my brother's narrowboat in fitting a shelf along one side wall, being pleased that my spirit level initially 'proved' the shelf was level - and then a re-check ten minutes later said otherwise!   I simply forgot that the lack of stable foundations made use of a spirit level (or a plumbline) pretty well pointless!  

Nice sandals - a pity to ditch them.

I agree with Cali about a glued repair - assuming of course that the strap has merely pulled away and not fractured.   A polyurethane glue (such as Gorilla Glue) would be most suitable.

TBG is certainly missed here.

Frankly, I think they are ugly, particularly if worn by a girl of relatively modest build.  Almost orthopaedic in style.  I really can't see the appeal.

On 7/5/2025 at 4:40 PM, Shyheels said:

Yes! I think I hit even higher speeds but I didn’t dare look at my speedometer - it was a fast and curvy descent on a narrow  mountain road without guardrails. High risk, high consequence. 57mph was the last reading I saw. 

... before you closed your eyes and prayed?