Puffer

13 hours ago, HappyinHeels said:

...

Whilst passengers are owed professionalism in the exercise of border inspections they are NOT given a pass if they slap, obstruct, or assault bystanders in a border area.

...

In my limited experience (and based upon that of others), US border officials are not noted for their understanding, patience or good humour.   I can quite understand an adverse reaction to being 'slapped' by a passenger, but is there really justification for a knock-out blow?   If they are also armed (are they??), I hate to think what might also happen.   In the UK, I think it likely that a similar incident would result in detention (handcuffs?), courtesy of the nearest police officer summoned by the border official.   (I hope to fly out of London Gatwick in less than a fortnight - not in heels! - and will keep all this in mind.)

It is not really clear what is happening here, other than an apparent refusal of a man in heels to comply with airport security.   You have been warned!

10 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

...

The only other thing to note about these sandals, other than their simple design, is that the heels themselves do not neatly fall into a category, as we've talked about elsewhere. Measuring 7/16" (11mm) in both transverse and longitudinal directions, they are probably ever so slightly too thick to be called stilettos, though their general shape and feel definitely makes them close cousins with the stiletto.

...

 

 

Imho, they are far better candidates to be called 'stilettos' than many others seen advertised as such.   Nice sandals anyway.

9 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

...

These Maddens shown in your picture are good looking! They look a bit like Dr. Scholl's with a wedge bottom. I have a soft spot in my heart for Dr. Scholl's. It brings back childhood memories.

Sandals like these are still available from various sources, but often at what seem excessive prices.   These are Berkemann Hamburg (from Amazon):

5 hours ago, Pumped said:

Ran across a deal on a pair of Steve Madden Brenna platform heels. Yep, another black pair of pumps!

Steve Madden Brenna

They are definitely NOT sandals.   I am shocked that you would sully this thread by mentioning them here!   😆

I am another who enjoyed some interesting (and usually amusing) exchanges with Megan a while ago.   May she rest in peace.

Both are mules because they are backless, but more specifically sandals because they are both backless and open-toed.   Sandals trumps mules!

10 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

... It's been all downhill ever since....

I suppose that is true if you consider the angle of your feet!

4 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

...

I have not attempted to repair the damage yet, and would welcome any suggestions you might have about methods. They are fake patent leather bottoms with canvas straps.

...

Depending upon the degree of gloss, I can only suggest a suitable oil-based paint might cover the scratches.   You could try a black spirit marker if you just want to eliminate the light-coloured marks.   Either way, I doubt that much of the damage would remain obvious.

Going back to your recent comments about closed-toe mules, my eldest stepson's wife was wearing these Jimmy Choos today as she set off for a friend's wedding.   I think she wore them for her own wedding in February - but, if so, they were totally hidden under her long dress - which rather defeated the object!   A very thin 4" heel and a sharp toe.   Elegant, although I think an open toe and/or a thin slingback would be better (and she is a regular sandal wearer).   She is neither a wealthy woman nor a spendthrift fashionista and I can't help thinking that the money apparently spent (at least £600 in the UK!) could have been put to better use, including to buy several pairs of stylish shoes and sandals of good quality.

8 minutes ago, mlroseplant said:

Here is a model that is riding the cusp of sandalism or not. Maison Ernest puts this in with the sandals on their website, but does not actually call it a sandal. To me, it looks like an open toed pump from the outside, but a sandal from the inside. Kinda cool! Model name is Plaisir. It comes in both 10 and 12 cm flavors.

 

I agree on all counts.   A very nice-looking open-toed court shoe.   In the press, or in catalogues/websites, I think that is how it would be described (i.e. NOT as a sandal), but the all-embracing term 'shoe' seems to be (mis)used for almost anything these days that is not clearly a boot.   There is certainly a thin dividing line between shoes and sandals, with heels irrelevant.

11 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

...

Now take it a step further with the close toed slingback, and eliminate the sling, making it a mule. Not a terribly popular style, but it had its moments in the early 2000s in my area. But, is it a sandal? Despite the fact that probably 75% of the foot is uncovered, I would say no, and I can't tell you why.

...

If the vamp of a closed-toe mule (effectively a court/pump with the back removed!) is not perforated or otherwise fails to expose the foot/toes, it can hardly be a sandal by either your reckoning or mine.   Our views differ only to the extent that you consider an open toe to be essential on a sandal (if that is still your position); I don't.

18 hours ago, Cali said:

So @Puffer are these sandals? Open toe perforated (with a back) or the open-toed backless mules.

 

How about these?

...

They would all appear to be sandals by Melrose's definition or by my wider one.   I'm surprised you have to ask.

Some people might regard your second pair as peep-toe shoes, given that they are not very 'open', but in my view they are a variety of sandal. 

But this is where it starts to get interesting - or difficult:

 Clearly a slingback shoe (court/pump):    

Clearly a peeptoe shoe (court/pump): 

But put the two components together and you have what most would call a sandal: 

On 5/7/2022 at 9:46 AM, mlroseplant said:

Now that I have time to think about this, I definitely have my own opinions about what constitutes a sandal. For one thing, it has to show toes. The phrase, "open-toed sandal" is redundant to me. There are several examples that would like to prove me wrong, but I am entitled to my opinion. However, if some entity could actually throw me in jail because of that opinion, I will recant. I'm not THAT principled.

Yes, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I tend to agree that a 'sandal' ought to show toes - and properly too.    But as, by definition, a sandal would generally be considered as nothing more than a light shoe with piercings or openings (not necessarily revealing toes or heel), I don't think you can be right.   

Below are examples of closed-toe sandals.   That on the left is a man's 'fisherman' style; OK for walking but hardly attractive imho; not one I would wear.   On the right are the sort of traditional children's sandals that are still (just about) seen in the UK.   Well, I suppose that one might just catch a glimpse of toe-upper in some of these but I rest my case.

And I now suppose that we need to consider the status of mules and slides.   In my book, a mule is well-recognised historically as any item of backless footwear, but if also open at the front it will (also) be a sandal.   A slide (which seems to be a newish and superfluous term) is seemingly an open-toed mule, usually but not always with a single strap - so is also a sandal.   And a flip-flop (or thong, to some) is a slide that has a toe post.   So, I wonder what we should call these 'sandals' (which I have heard described as 'toe-wrap'):   

2 hours ago, Pierre1961 said:

That’s sad. Because it seems there is a lot of nice “clean” men here nowadays. 

Like this? 

I was surprised to note from my credentials that I joined in 2004.   Seems like only yesterday; perhaps I was dozing - maybe I'm Rip Van Winklepicker?

7 hours ago, VirginHeels said:

Thanks, will enjoy it. I’m working tomorrow, so can’t wear them. Bloody flat safety shoes for work 😔.

Don't get me started on politics, I can rip a hole through them all.

At least the lovely Nicola (!) is usually in decent heels!   (SNP = Stilettos; no platforms)

I too have often wondered why there was not a 'new sandals' thread.   

The problem might well be definition - here we go again!!    What is a sandal, as compared with a shoe?   Open toe/open side shoes are not sandals, but add an open back or sling back and they almost certainly become sandals, at least in common parlance.

It's no good looking at newspapers or fashion magazines.   There is no consistency in terminology at all, with many obviously sandal styles being described as shoes.

I'm not looking for a debate here - but on the other hand ...

You would have to be blessed with green toes, rather than fingers, surely?

There does seem to be a growing trend for women to go barefoot in closed shoes and boots as well as in sandals.   It would seem that, in the UK at least, sales of stockings are negligible (outside glamour wear) and those of tights (pantyhose) declining other than for some formal occasions.   All part of the shift towards casual - often sloppy - dressing.

In my view, sandals should be worn barefoot, by both sexes.   I enjoy sandals when the weather allows, the briefer and barer the better.   And open-toe shoes barefoot on women.   I have also seen a trend for men to go barefoot in 'normal' shoes - typically loafers but also sometimes plain lace-ups; a look I find hard to acknowledge as either flattering or comfortable. 

13 hours ago, VirginHeels said:

Recently, it’s been “cold but dry” of 14-16c, that’s warm for us so summer, only had rain for 3 days in past 4 weeks. It’s to be 17c on Monday, dry seemingly.

Im Scottish, so don’t mind the cold. I’m feeling the Khaki, heels and a hoodie. Look good, but relaxed. After all, we have ditched the masks and all but gone and put fingers in our ears and gone LaLaLaLaLa to the pandemic.

This look will have the heel fully exposed. No where to hide. A confidence bump. I’m gonna drive in them too, so more new heeling experience.

Enjoy your trip - but I hope not literally!   And please let us see a pic of your outfit when you tell us how it went.

You might want to wear the boots tomorrow if you go out to vote - you will be in good company with an assortment of strangely-dressed individuals (quite apart from the candidates)!

20 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

It's funny to talk amongst ourselves like this, because our talents are so varied. When I turn on my computer, I just want the damn thing to work. I really don't know that much about it, in the same way that many people view cars. I personally drive old, crappy cars, so that I am free to spend my money on other things, like shoes! I can fix the cars when they break, but I can't tell you much about computer problems.

I quite agree!   I find any detailed understanding or management of most computery a challenge, and one that regularly defeats me.   That is why I produced two sons who are skilled in such matters and invariably sort out the old man's problems for him.   In return, I spend many hours renovating and improving their properties.   Horses for courses ...

4 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I write and shoot for magazines and have done for 35 years. Apple is universal in my world. 

That makes you sound like William Tell!   But Cali, lacking an Apple, is not Isaac Newton.

Further to my last, and without trying to labour the points I made therein, I have just seen by chance on TV a film in the 'Look at Life' series made by Rank in the early 60s as 'cinema shorts', covering a variety of topical subjects.   This one, made in 1960, was about the influence of Italy and Italian immigrants on British life and included references to fashion.   Stiletto heels were mentioned and shown in several shots of shoe shop windows.   The majority of the shoes on display (in several styles) had stiletto heels of at least 4" in height - totally typical of the prevailing fashion, although I certainly don't suggest that lower heels were not also sold and worn.

I may be able to capture and show some stills, if my limited tech allows.

5 hours ago, Cali said:

Your files are too big.  I normally first crop in a photo program and then shrink them by 80% in Paint.  There's nothing wrong with flip phones, I have one.  But you need HIGH heels.

Yes, I am pretty useless when it comes to managing phones and PCs but that technique using Paint works for me too.

1 minute ago, Cali said:

I was playing with you with W.C. I don't use it but I am looking a building plans its all over them.

Yes, understood - but thanks!   It is similarly used on plans here.

I forgot to mention the old story about the couple who were enquiring about renting a country cottage for a holiday in Wales.   They were put off by the owner's property details telling them 'The nearest WC is about two miles away as the crow flies, or five if you don't use the ferry'.   ('WC' is also a common abbreviation for 'Wesleyan Chapel'.)