dressboots

Definitely! Works too with wet sand, here in the southeast where snow can be scarce.

heelson; I am so envious. Got to try wishing harder here. Is only a dream for me to find such under the tree.

corsair; I really enjoyed reading your accounts of shopping for boots. Real confidenece builders. I too am an avid fan of the equestrian styled boots, size 12, though this site is for higher heels. However, "womens" equestrian styled boots are not typical fashion wear for men, so we gotta be somewhere, right? Many of the same issues in wearing high heels are also experienced with this style. Any equestrian styles/brands you reccommend? You have a most impressive sized collection (way greater than I thought possible) of such and certainly must have some you like better than others. It has been my experience that some makes are not comfortable. One of my present favorites is the modern riding boot from the Eddie Bauer catalog. It is sort of clunky in style, but is very comfortable. It has more room in the toe than any other 12M boot I have ever owned. They are a bit gothic looking. I also like the "Anna" from Sudini.

OK, OK! These are not high heeled! But, check this link. http://www.eddiebauer.com/eb/product.asp?product_id=19876&nv=23211|23214|23286&lview=&cm_cg=C23286&tid=&c=&sc=&lp=v1i010 I have a pair of this boot in size 12 M. Part of the challenge of high heeling as a guy is deciding that you are going to wear shoes boots aimed at the female market. This boot is masculine in design, yet is marketed to women thus features some femine charcteristics such as slightly higher heel as well as other less massive "male" features. The toe box is broad and comfortable. The heel is not high and is fairly broad. the sole is rubber and not noisy at all. I guess "unisex" or "training heels" would describe these aptly. I suspect I am not the only guy on this forum that finds something like this very favorable when going in higher heels is not what you want to go that day. Just thought I would share my experience with it.

It all depends on the level of a fashion statement one wants to make. As guys in heels can be seen as pushing the fashion envelope, extreme styles may not be to one's taste or comfort. It can be shocking to the general public to see someone (male of female) wearing shoes boots that seem to be intended for the bedroom in private, rather than mainstream styles. I prefer styles currently used for out in the world wear. I am not a trail blazer in that sense. However, how can something become mainstream if it is not worn by someone? It is not simple. Do what feels right for you. I can identify with owning your red boots. I remember when similar fashions were very much in style and wished I had bought a pair back then. Doubt I would wear such now.

It is important to air your shoes/boots out after each wearing. They will last longer. Clean salt residues off them as soon as possible - people in the north country will know what I am talking about. Do not wear them two days in row. Have several pairs to rotate. The latter suggestion should be little problem for many of the posters here. If not, this is good reason to buy additional heels!

Wow!

Once the cat is out of the bag, mix your new aquisistion, in with your growing collection of heels.

geneb, I am a bit confused by your question. When a man wears an article of clothing, it beomes a man's fashion by virtue of who is wearing it. What I meant is that in order to purchase heels, other than cowboy boots, I have to purchase heels intended by the fashion industry for women, from the women's department in a shoe store or a specialty shoe shop for women. In other words the fashion industry intends for the shoe to be worn by women at least in their marketing. Advertisements say women's boots/shoes. People generally know what styles are aimed for which sex. They pick up on a fashion that was marketed to/for women. The premise of my essay was to note that there is a common thread in heeled fashion for men and women exampled by the cowboy boot. Men and women are not always so different in their awarness of fashion, if the subject is interesting. I was speaking on a personal level when I made the comment of nervousness as it is a basic fear I see expressed by many on this forum. By recognizing that heeling men are not so different from other men amy put others at greater ease. I agree with all the additonal comments you made. Fashion is a personal statement one chooses to make but here I was simply making note of a different approach/view to the subject.

Well, i did it. I purchased in person, a pair of tall boots at Payless today. Went to a local mall that also has a Rack Room Shoes that an Internet search indicated they had tall boots in 12 M. However they sytle they had was higher heeled than I wanted. I worked up the courage to go to Payless first to see if they had in stock a boot I had seen on line with a lower heel. At first they did not seem to have tall boots, only short boots, but then I noticed the taller boots were folded over in square boxes. I almost could not believe it when I then found the style I was looking for. They had one pair. The store was mostly empty save for two sales clerks. I went ahead and found a stool, kicked off my shoes and tried on the boots. They fit beautifully and the shaft was even narrow enough it was not baggy on my leg (not snug, but snug is virtually impossible to find for my slim calves). I did not walk around the store (courage flagged) returned them to the box and went to the cashier to make the purchase. The sales clerk was a middle aged lady who did not bat an eye at the boots I was purchasing. Made some pleasant small talk with her about business then departed. The boots are black, stretch knee boots with a 2" chunky heel. I can walk in them with little effort. Took the dog for a 25 minute walk around the neighborhood in them when I got home. A bit noisy in the heel for a "newbee" heeler but think I could get used to that. A really fine looking boot. I have a digital camera on my Christmas wish list - maybe I can post some photos in the near future. The Payless I went to had the men's and women's shoes displayed right next to one another making looking at the women's large sizes very easy to be on the sly, to work up the courage to bring total focus on them. Men's size 15 were right next to the women's 12's. The store was not divided half and half the way other stores are. Payless was a good store to start out with. There is a 9-West shoe store at the same mall. I think I have heard other posters say they carry size 12. Maybe next time.

Forgive me for not seeing this post first. See my post in for the guys page concerning the style of cowboy boots.

Am trying this experiment to work up the courage for shopping in person for feminine boots. I am visiting the web sites of stores that carry styles I like the looks of first, to discover if my size, 12 M, is stocked. If they are then my next step will be to visit the store. At least I have knowledge I am requesting something they genuinely have (at times), if not that day. Many stores do not carry size 12M so getting my courage up to request it is more courage than I want to work on at this point. Will let you know if/when I get brave. Have a few prospective stores to visit. Anybody try this before?

I am as much afraid of being noticed for wearing women's heeled boots in pubic I think because I am always on the lookout for styels I like. I do not regard myself as anything out of the ordinary, so believe other guys are also as concerned (or is that inspired) about what other people are wearing but apparently am incorrect in that conclusion based on what I read. The following obvservation I have made. Cowboy boots are noticed by guys and worn proudly by the same. They are accepted wear for men as well as women (women adopted the style). It is the only shoe I have seen men talk about with one another, comparing notes and comments on the styles - much the way women do about their shoes. Cowboy boots in this regard are a great departure from the "traditional" men's shoe fashions. Look at the varied styles available as well as materials and creative patterns used in thier manufacture. Cowboy boots are among the highest heeled of widely accepted men's footwear. Maybe us guys are not as locked into (boring) men's fashions as we all think we are. Cowboys boots are often suggested as the leap to femine fashions due to the heel height and wide acceptance. I digress. The premise here is that here is a men's fashion that garners the attention and conversation that women's fashions do. They vary in style and appearance and have (high) heels. They get noticed. They make a statement. Nothing is considered wrong or contraversial in this case.

My parents always knew of my wish to wear women's boots so no need to hide them. I told my (future) wife about my taste in boots when we were dating so no need to hide them from her either. When expecting guests in the closet in our bedroom is fine, some loose, some in a shoe cabinet.

Occasionally, under the cover of darkness only, at this point. Just around the neighborhood. I still need practice. Feel I am a bit clumsy, not to mention afraid. Everyone deals with their own percieved fears but appreciate the stories I am reading.

I appreciate you guys who are pushing the envelope. For the most part your experince says that people are not going to go crazy or even notice your choice of fashion in footwear. You do it well. However, when they they have seen you in 4 - 5 inch heels they are less likely to think anything of me in 2 inch heels. It is right along the line of getting society accustomed to a new idea.

firefox, I have no experience outside of USA but the northeast is much more tolerant of being different than the south. Howver, I knew religious people in the northeast that believed a guy dressing effeminate was not in God's will and thus to be shunned as evil, so it is hard to make genral statements. I wonder if it is more that many people want to remain "off the radar" of society. If you are different you standout in a crowd. I have often heard people comment about the odd looking person (in dress and fashion) they saw in a big city - not the millions of people dressed the same.

I think my wife's concern is more along dawnhh's observation. She does not really concern herself so much with what other people think of herself. She was not always like this (she says) but maturity has made her less worried about what others think. However, I believe I was an embarassment to my sisters when I street heeled when I was in high school, so I hear you bubba. Cannot remember having asked my wife if that is also a factor in her wish for me to remain underground.

Moderate for me is 1.5" to 2" heel, for the best long time comfort. Some feminine styles in that heel height range are based so closely on men's styles, no one would ever suspect.

lim, I cannot offer any advice for finding large size such as you need but wanted to say you are one lucky guy your girlfriend accepted your wish to purchase and wear high heeled boots. Is she OK with you going out publicly in hh's? My wife is not much of a hh fan either, but is OK with me wearing such - but only around the house.

I think it is interesting that older clerks are less likely to "pass judgement" on a guy buying "women's" shoes. Perhaps a mark of maturity, that by an older age people have learned that money is "green" regardless of whose pocket it is coming from, another point made here. Thanks for the pointers. Have tried excuses - which clerks saw through. Have tried telling the truth and been shown what I was interested in and offered a try on, as well as others giving me the cold shoulder. I guess everyone knows by now who got my money that day and in the future.

I meant "effeminate" sorry about my "terribel" spelling.

[Now, I wonder how your conversation ever "got around" to that subject? quote] bubba, I agree you make a very good point. I don't erember exactly how the conversation got there - you know how conversations evolve. I think we were joking about what ever happened ot Anita Bryant and how the Florida orange grower's association dropped her like a hot potato when she went on her anti-gay crusade, years ago. That was the point where he lept to that comment. Turns out his brother in law is gay but "does not look any diffent than any normal man." My response was that the "flamboyant gay" is a stereotype, that many effemenet seeming men are very much heterosexual. There really is now way of judging a book by its cover sometimes. It is why my wife is opposed to public heeling for me. She is concerned about attitudes by such people - many of which I know and work with.

re. Boots from Payless. I do not have a store near me but am familiar with their listings on the net. Do you find that the shaft of the tall boots fit a slim calf or are they cut generous? That is always the most "risky" thing for me to purchase boots through the mail as my calves are slim, so seldom find tall boots that fit well. I wear a 12M with high heels comfortably. Note: I have learned ot avoid outlets that cater to "large" women as their boots are always way too big in the shaft for me.

I spent half my childhood lving in Charleston, West Virginia. I wanted 9 and did on occsion, wear "women's" boots back then, too. West Virginia, a great place it is. Welcome!