allheel

I have a pair with men's upper but a definitely stiletto heel. It comes off pretty well. For most of us, if we want to wear something associated with the feminine but want to be classed as straight male, make the rest of the gear obviously male. Its not a sure solution but makes it easier to maintain that it is really all male gear, just the thing to overcome back problem, or whatever reason, real or adopted, you wish to give for being a bit different. You can admit to people you can trust that the only comfortable or stylish or whatever shoes that suit have to be bought at the women's section. Proves you are more of a man if you have courage to do that. But no need to tell everybody and a bit of fudging as your wife suggests is fine - isn't it good to have a woman's support. I've found of recent time male friends are prepared to ask me about my shoes. Good they are prepared to inquire, they respect me even if it would not be their choice, and I am happy to explain my situation. For those who don't like my strategy, remember it is just an option for those of us who find that a good way to go. Others who have more courage have helped pave the way for us more conservative blokes.

I knew we shared wearing heels, its good to know so many of us share a Christian faith - and a tolerant and loving rather than narrow-minded form. I missed this thread when it started and just read the lot and found it good to read so many positive posts. And yes, I found acceptance here too. People can wonder at first, not surprisingly, but when its consistent and not an attention seeker, it becomes easier for people to see you for who you are. Its good how people have learned to accept people who are different but still caring and loving.

Thanks Heelfan and Jeffm, you interpreted me correctly. Once the set back heel would never have been popular as it tends to make the foot look longer too.

Yes I'd agree, the heel contact with ground being too far back is what makes blades and blocks not as comfortable to walk in.

So much expert analysis! So I thought someone may know the answer to this. A study a few years ago proved less impact from wearing stilettoes than the same high of chunky heels. How I always found that to be so without data to prove it. Even a sort of blade heel not really fine one, seems more cumbersome to walk. May be I'm not a good wearer, as the sharp heel make little contact with the floor and the angle at which it hits the floor is not as important as with a wider heel? Any thoughts on this? Thanks

I have seen 1930s heels referred to at the time as spikes. The term stiletto did not come in until the much thinner heels were invented in 1950s. Then and 1960s just about all heels were thin and tall or not were generally known as stilettoes. Now seems like people call anything high and not chunky a stiletto. Just shows how language changes. Means now have to explain a bit more the kind of heel y ou mean.

Reminds me as a watchers, something I forgot to mention At parts of the cycle when elegant heels are rare, anything a little bit out of the ordinary dull gets us excited. But as higher heels become more common, what once turned heads no longer does. I guess its how we cope with cycles.

I started watching when the first stilettoes came in. First reaciton how could people walk in them, admiration for their ability. Also wondered how could the floors take it, or the chairs when people stood on chairs to gain height, or tables to check hems - as people did - and they didn't come crashing down. Then later as a wearer and discovering it wasn't as hard as it looked - and for me so much more comfortable than flat shoes. I could wear them anywhere - almost. I still admired. And still sometimes you observe someone doing it well and remember it is an art to be learnt like a bicycle - I do both together still. And you appreciate the styling and the achievement - quote ignoring that you are doing it yourself.

Most of us are both wearers and watchers. As a wearer we often don't think much about it, just second nature. Sometimes as a watcher, I am struck by the achievement of walking gracefully with such elevation and on such a small base as a stiletto. It seems a bit contradictory. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

To John S.E. you seem to have been torn between admiring your gf and respect for the floor, and the stilettos won. Did the floor lose out all that badly with a few dents, if it was a working shop floor no one may have minded. I've asked sometimes and been told no problems, even that they thought my heels left cute little patterns as though they welcomed them; also that no heels could harm their floor in another shop; and another where the furniture made deeper marks. Furniture and children can often be worse.

I'm about a month late reading this, but was disappointed at members attacking Laurie for a harmless remark and she does care what she does. I agree there is a pleasing sensation in a slight denting, when its not going to damage anything - as in most cases, and where it would we take care about what we wear. Sorry you had that bad experience with the metal heels. I just have a new pair with plastic heels, but after a few wears I find on soft floors they can leave not a dent but a little dimple, just about the size of the metal insert that holds the plastic to the heel. With the same amount of wear the metal heel wouldn't be marking the floor at all I think. Glad the criticism didn't cause you to quit. John.

We are the lucky ones, we can enjoy sighting well worn heels, or better still wearing them, as much for an ordinary person as a celeb. That is our good fortune. Celebs very often have a hard life, even without the trash newspapers pestering them. As for wealth, you are rich if you have enough for your needs, and Laurie and others can enjoy a new pair of heels much more if it is a bit of sacrifice to save for them. Would you get the same pleasure if you could simply walk in and buy dozens at a time. I think not.

I'm late joining this animated discussion. It seems that having once become used to the attention a metal tip brings, then anything else seems rather tame, but the soft tips are good if this is a problem. However it seems like a problem with the non-metal tips wearing out. Could the non-metal tip wearers tell us how you know its time to replace the tips, how often it happens and what if you overlook replacing them in time - or how much warning you get and what happens

Perhaps, High Surprise, you might wait and see if your floor 'settles' down in time - I remember a floor which was marked, but near the photocopier it had so much standing the marks were almost invisible as the whole floor got 'compressed'. You might also check whether the heels hurting your floor might be worn to much narrower than the original tip, say just a few mm or fraction of an inch across. It can happen with some.

I guess Biking - cycling - has to be the easiest sport in heels, and you might even win if its in heels. A couple of weeks about rode 122 km (76 miles) in only 2 inch stiletto heels, and then another 13 km to an evening function in 3 inch. Over 3 inch I find for me makes it a bit harder to push, but 2 to 3 inches seems to help the foot. Its not the first time I've been over 100 km in a day in heels. Sorry no pics, but try it out if you can

I seems like skirts are more treacherous than heels. I've been on grass, mine slopes and found myself at an advantage with stiletto heeled boots as I can dig heel in and get traction. It is not real good for the leather covering of the heel, risk it getting ripped, but I'm in trousers not skirts

I am surprised Yamyam that the rubber tips gave out so quickly. Did they get caught in a crack and pulled off? That happened to me recently. I was in a shop with wooden floor when I realised it and that I might be marking the floor. I was speaking with the salesperson, and noting the floor already had marks, she thought that metal tips left cute little patterns and wasn't at all concerned. Like many women, she was quite encouraging.

I seldom slip but I avoid metal tips that are large and I try to get long-wearing non slip soles. Much reduces the risk of slipping. Not for dancing when slipping a little helps.

Thank you Laurie for your diaries. There is only so much you can write without inspiration and without wider vistas to stimulate the imagination. We've enjoyed your stories and comments and we'll be glad for you to keep us in line. But none of us should limit ourselves too narrowly in life. Do you have a writers' group you can join, to share with others and to get useful feedback on what you have written. Hope you find one to your liking, and that your writing is rewarding. One of the best moments in my life was someone telling me a book I had written had been a substantial influence in their life. Makes you fell humble and uplifted at the same time. Regards.

You could be quite right if wearing small rubber or nylon tips versus metal. The nylon or whatever deforms under pressure and especially if new and thickish will move around. I recently had some brass rather than steel tips 5mm only and the brass seemed to spread under the pressure although it wasn't unstable. A lot of pressure to make metal spread.

Thanks to Slim and others for sharing how high heels have solved or allieviated your problems. I found out about 40 years ago but of course only wore HH in private for a long while, then where I was reasonably anonymous and for last ten or more years all the time. Great that people are much more accepting - only difference that when I started wearing and was less accepted, so many others wearing stilettos - my preferred and most comfortable, that any dents or marks on the floor was regarded as normal, now there are many places I have to take care - but then it is always a good idea to check heel tips regularly. I quickly found when I wore wide heels that they wore unevenly and gave problems. The small round tips don't have that problem and surprisingly are easier to wear on rougher ground - but I like boots, not open shoes. Thanks again to all

I've never been quite sure if a 2 inch thin heel can be called a stiletto but for those who prefer a higher heel, think of those who can't comfortably wear higher. Would you rather see a 2 inch stiletto or a 2 inch chunky heel which practically looks like no heel at all. I've worn 2 inch stiletto boots - mostly rather old than I've preserved as best I can- and had women wishing they could get ones like mine. I'm all for choice, give people what they like

Thanks to Laurie from all of us I think for providing an occasional stimulating high heel newsletter. It was wise ending the rise and rise of heel height before getting to the extremes too much. I too enjoy the classic styles, the result of years of refinement. The classic stiletto, and the stylish slingback with a fine pointed heel really complement a fine outfit on a woman with taste. I had a short unexpected time in hospital, and was pleased to be able to walk out in a comfortable pair of brown boots, a 3 inch pointed heel. Better still, my wife who would much prefer I had conventional taste in heels, lovingly and caringly brought me what she knew would keep me happy and without foot pain.

I agree; standing on the same spot is very quickly tiring - I can only manage with 2 1/2 or 3 inches of heel to spread the load on my flat feet. I move as much as I can, walking is so much better, but at parties there is often not much option. What makes a huge difference is the floor. Concrete and steel are the hardest, practically no give. Hardwood gives a litttle, carpet depends on the pile and the underlay and floor below, best if a wooden floor below. Vinyl gives a little. A softwood or cork - I'd vote for cork as the best, both for feet and for the fact that it springs back. Agood compressed cork will spring back and next day, may be next hour, you won't see heel marks but your feet will really appreciate the difference. Pine floors are nearly as good but if highly polished will show up if you are wear a stiletto tip or a worn heel.

Thanks for the comments; I'm inclined to think it is physical response, no sign of infection, but I'm no expert.