Puffer

We have read of Mark Bryan here before and are aware of his fashion choices but this recent article gives further insight into his lifestyle.   The readers' comments are, as usual, a mixed bag and not very tolerant - but several think he has good and enviable legs!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11834723/Im-heterosexual-man-wear-heels-skirts-office-wife-doesnt-mind.html

4 hours ago, Pumped said:

I have been looking for a pair of boots just like these. Anyone have any idea where I can find them?

They appear to be discontinued, but here is a starting point: https://www.shoebidooshoes.com/en/timberland-high-heels-platform-boots.html

These have just appeared on the ASOS website.   Sizes up to UK13.   No heel height indicated but appears to be about 4".   Not something I would wear but I can see the appeal.

1 hour ago, Cali said:

Timberland is a brand.  @spikesmike you probaly never heard of them because they don't make stilettos. It's just too tough to hike in stilettos.

There are these, however, which appear to have been made under the 'Timbaland' [note spelling] label; 13.5cm heel and 3cm platform.

Just the job for Mike to wear for a stroll in the country.

9 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Who preys anymore?

Certainly not for those who invented autocorrect. May they all be sent to Hello

Headmaster's report: 'Shyheels sets himself a very low standard in his writing and consistently fails to reach it.'

7 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Certainly non-memorable but it was autocorrect that decided her name out to have been Lyn…

Its getting so you have to copy edit your every sentence to make sure that some illiterate program hasn’t inserted some spelling or grammatical error 

Quite so!   See me in my study after prayers.

9 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Ah well - a few years ago a poll amogst young people here in Britain showed that an alarming percentage of them thought that Churchill was the bulldog mascot for an insurance company that was advertising much on TV and had not heard of Churchill the politician and war-time PM  

You only have to watch UK TV quiz shows such as 'Tipping Point' or 'The Chase' (both of which are far from trivial or juvenile and can be quite educational) to be surprised, if not appalled, by the lack of knowledge of even British history since, say, 1900.   And it's not just the under-30s who have little or no understanding of what happened in their lifetime or that of their parents - unless it relates to pop culture.   Still, given the poor example set by many of their teachers, perhaps we should not be surprised.   History is not the only poorly-learned subject but perhaps the most obvious.

4 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Tall boots are theatre - and men are not allowed theatre in dress. Where there is a practical need for tall boots - horse-riding or motorcycling, men are given leave to wear them within those circumstances. A man wearing riding boots (pr similar style) in a horsey environment is perfectly fine - although he best have a horse present, or at least be the owner of one, and not just a spectator. And whe he leaves that horsey environment, off come the boots. To wear them outside those confined circumstances would be theatricaland that is not allowed

A woman on the other hand can wear a riding boot style anywhere she pleases, any time, and be considered fashionable.   

I agree in principle that 'men are not allowed theatre in dress', although the threshhold is not easy to define.   After all, a modestly-pointed toe, a gold snaffle on a loafer or a strap around a boot are all pure theatre but 'permitted' and certainly tolerated.   My point was not so much what was permitted or expected as conventional male footwear but what would likely incur some sort of reaction if it was worn in public without obvious justification.   

Tall boots worn outside the clearly practical sphere (protection, weather resistance, uniform) would likely get a second glance, even if of a plain flat-heeled style, but scarcely condemnatory.   And you have often told us that you wear OTK boots in public without obvious reaction.

11 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

I suppose we could argue about this until the cows come home, but a guy wearing boots on the outside of his pants is a fairly common sight around here. A guy in boots with heels is not. To my mind, it's a smaller step (no pun intended) to wear boots with heels than it is to wear pumps with heels. Maybe guys do not typically wear boots on the outside of their pants out there on the West Coast, and perhaps that is where our differing opinions originate.

An 'undecorated' boot, of any style up to knee-high, is essentially an item of practical weatherproof/protective footwear, even if worn as a fashion choice, and therefore intrinsically 'male' in its origins and impact.   But, if it has anything beyond a flattish or fairly low cuban/cowboy heel, it ceases to hide behind that facade.

A 'court' shoe (pump), although historically male wear, is in its modern-day iteration wholly female footwear, regardless of the height or style of heel.

It follows that a man wearing (long) boots, with or without modest heels and even if outside his trousers, is unlikely to register much on the CD/eccentric/fetish scales - but a man wearing even the plainest kitten-heeled pump in plain view will set the bells ringing and the tongues wagging.   The saddest thing, however, is that almost any woman can wear any of those things with anonymity and impunity - as long as she doesn't fall over.

9 hours ago, Shyheels said:

It really is surprising that there isn’t better recognition of the fact that people are taller now, and thus have longer feet, than they did a generation or two ago. Men are certainly able to obtain shoes or boots in much bigger sizes now than back in the 70s, when finding a size 13 on the shelf was a rarity and anything bigger had to be special ordered. But women’s shoes and boots are still typically sold in the same size range as always 

We're almost into 'boasting about hardship' territory here!    My feet stopped growing (at UK11) in about 1963.   UK11 was the largest men's size on the high street, with very rarely anything larger anywhere else.  I could usually find something that I liked (such as pointed chelsea boots!) in UK11 in a shoe shop but the choice was not wide.   The largest size for women's shoes at that time was usually UK7, with occasional availability in UK8 but rarely in anything truly fashionable.   The situation only gradually changed; by about 1980 it was possible to buy men's UK12 and women's UK8 without too much trouble - but still not in all styles.   Only since around 2010 has there been any reasonable availability (albeit not in all styles) in UK13 and UK9 respectively, and better recognition of wider fittings.   So, there is slow progress but I agree that it still fails to match the size requirements (width as well as length) of progressively 'bigger' people.   ASOS is a rare exception in offering women's footwear up to UK13 in several styles, including boots of a fairly unisex type and some high stilettos - most of which seem to sell-out quickly, especially in the wide-fit version where available.

11 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Maybe, under very specific circumstances, would this be called a "rig." However, most people call them a "semi." And that is always pronounced with a long "i" sound at the end. People who actually drive semis usually call them tractor trailers. The Iowa Driver's Manual refers to them as "truck tractor semitrailer combinations," which is where the "semi" part comes from.

I am obliged for the clarification.   Presumably 'semitrailer' because they only have wheels at the rear, whereas a trailer proper is self-contained with wheels fore and aft?   What do you call a longer unit, with one or more additional coupled trailers?   (I can think of a few suitable names if trying to overtake one!)

10 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Ready for the artic

I assume you mean 'Arctic'?   This is an artic (or what I think you call a rig in the colonies):

But the coat would doubtless be snug when driving, in an artic or otherwise, in the winter.

1 hour ago, 6inchheel said:

No I understand quite clearly, maybe what you stated only makes sense to you but i wore them and took one boot off, I took a ruler to the bottom foot that didn’t have a boot and what do you know a whole 8 inches off the ground. All that stuff about deducting the platform doesn’t make any sense but agree to disagree agree, we all on here with one thing in common, we like wearing heels. Whether they are 1 inch or 10 inches, platforms or single sole stilettos.

Yes, the boot raises you above the ground by 8".   We all accept that.   But the effect of your 'high heel' is a rise of around 4" only because of the platform sole.   If (with your boots on), you stood on a piece of wood 2" thick, you would now be 10" off the ground - but your heel rise would still only be a modest 4".

There is no need for further debate, let alone disharmony.   You like what you have - good.   But such an extreme platform style is not for everyone.

4 hours ago, 6inchheel said:

These are definitely 8 inch rise on me. When I headed out I had to duck to avoid hitting my head on the door frame. That never happens even when I’m wearing 7inch heels. 

You misunderstand.   The heel may be 8" but the (net) rise, after deducting the platform (4"?) is 4" or thereabouts.   
Sorry, but I don't like platforms and certainly feel that any platform of more than about 3/4" invariably makes any shoe look clumpy.

On 12/5/2022 at 10:49 PM, Puffer said:

Thanks.   I rather agree about the squareish toe, and can understand a preference for a toe-post.   In fact, my wife has a pair of toe-post strappy wedges that I admire and I think you would approve of.   If I can locate them, I will provide a pic for your delectation.

Somewhat to my surprise, Mrs Puffer said she liked the new wedge sandals (especially the squareish toe!!), although they are a little narrow for her feet, but reckons the straps should stretch a little.   She then told me that the toe-post wedges were thrown away as, although I had mended a broken-away piece in the wooden heel, they had (allegedly) failed again.   So, win one - lose one.

3 hours ago, Cali said:

This is not a look that will help pave the path for more men to wear heels. The dainty purse looks out of place and balloon pants ... come on.

This is about as good as a photo of a guy playing a round of golf in stilettoes and a midriff.

What needs to be out there are photos of "normal" men in "normal" attire doing "normal" things in a "normal" way AND in heels.

Is this considered sufficiently 'normal' (ignoring optional hat and sunglasses)?   The pic has been seen here before and is (or was) an advert for 'Omano' boots, from Spain.   Although posed, it seems to me to show a relaxed man wearing everyday clothing with plain-looking boots that just happen to have a (very) high but well-proportioned heel.   A look - indeed, a lifestyle - which I suggest most of us would be happy to emulate.

21 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Fine with me. I have many, t-straps and slings too. Call me a femme shoe lover and wearer all you want, fine with me.

My comment was not a criticism of any man wearing shoes if an obviously feminine style - ankle strap or otherwise - and certainly not of you.   I was merely suggesting that an ankle strap is seemingly found only on feminine shoes, so marks them as such.   'High heels', slingbacks, t-straps etc are found on some styles (typically sandals) worn by or intended for men.   I would wear the latter, but not any ankle strap style.

16 hours ago, SF said:

I like ankle strap shoes.  I have several pairs, they look very classy....  sf

To my mind, any ankle strap shouts 'feminine' even more loudly than a high heel usually does. 

13 hours ago, kneehighs said:

Doesn't matter who it's aimed at. GenZ is buying. And the % is far greater than if it was just LGBTQ.  I don't think GenZ and Millennials care as much about association with the LGBTQ population as GenX or Boomers do. 

 

Maybe I can find someone well-versed in cryptography who can decode all this into something that makes sense to someone who is from GenOldGit.

More seriously, all these labelled factions merely demonstrate to me that the world has become increasily divided - and divisive.   I'm not sure where I belong to it any more - if anywhere.

2 hours ago, VirginHeels said:

...

I can report back that recently, when out and about for the Christmas season, there have been a few men out and about in low 1-2 inch Chelsea Boots.

...

 

What's unusual about that?   1" heels are effectively FLAT, and 2" by no means 'high'.

34 minutes ago, tina said:

giaro slick essence in matte black.

Can't see them - too small!

24 minutes ago, Shyheels said:

They look like they would be very stable as well - which is probably why they aer comfortable.

The stiletto heels are (for once) the proper shape and in the correct position, which doubtless makes all the difference in stability and comfort in walking, quite apart from enhancing the appearance.

6 hours ago, Cali said:

We'll contact the authorities in Kent for you.

Thank you!   But do be careful if asking for 'the Chief Constable of Kent'.   It is all too easy to spoonerise the second and fourth words and get into a spot of bother.

4 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Or, if not, that's perfectly fine too. Though I am now curious about your wife's wedges. I thought she didn't do the high heel thing anymore?

My wife professes to now dislike high heels, partly for (alleged) reasons of comfort but more, alas, because she considers them inappropriate stylistically.   She is scathing about my liking for heels as an admirer and, equally, whenever I wear even my modest cuban heeled boots, which she considers ridiculous for someone 'of my age' etc.   She does occasionally wear a modest heel (especially on sandals or ankle boots) and used to like the wedge sandals in question, but they have not appeared for some time.   I quite expect her to roundly reject the new sandals, but I can only try.   (If I disappear after Christmas Day, you will know why!)

3 hours ago, LondnBootMan said:

...

Now regarding views expressed by ASOS range my opinion is that at least a mainstream retailer has started to feature men’s heeled boots. This must be positive. There are other outlets but it can be very, very hard to find them and as others said very expensive as its a niche but growing market.

...

Regarding the types of heels, I hear the views expressed, and there are some which I don't like but I do have a couple of real leather ankle boots which are perfect and very happy with. I've had many comments from both men and women that they like my ASOS boots.  (And especially my leather knee and crotch highs that were custom made as I've got wide feet).

...

I got my nose pierced (and others above the waist) years and years ago when it was hipster for the brave because I really liked it and still wear them today but now far more (younger) men have their noses pierced and nobody says anything adverse as its now considered normal. Heels will take more time to become standard kit for men but I do think they will break through. I love wearing my heels in London and when travelling around other parts of the UK and never got any adverse reaction but only positive comments.

 

I agree with nearly everything you say.   But I would differ regarding certain elements of appearance such as piercings and tattoos.   They may well be 'normal' (i.e. unexceptional, commonplace even) for men nowadays but that does not make them automatically considered attractive or accepted by the world at large.   I do agree with your implication that 'heels for men' will become more mainstream and more acceptable - and of course they are not permanent 'fixtures', unlike the body adornments that some find unattractive.

As a matter of interest, which ASOS boots do you have?   And what is your shoe size?

1 hour ago, pebblesf said:

True, I meant that he might appeal or be appreciated by "regular guys".   Sorry for stirring up so much controversy!

No apology needed.   Your clarification is appreciated - as are your invariably positive and constructive posts.