RonC

On 3/29/2017 at 5:19 PM, Henri1942 said:

T B G bought some nice RED Boots.  Well I'm not into Boots, but I did buy some nice RED Pumps.  

Picture taken at Hilton in Freeport Maine last night.

Great look Henri!  Nice classic pumps, and that skirt is really cute!  Looks good on you!

I think many have forgotten that Jura indicated that he would need at least a size 12 or 13.  Unless things have changed, you won't find a size 12 in nearly any DSW - maybe on the sale rack where someone bought a 12 on line and returned them to the store.  And places like Dillards, Saks off 5th,and Bloomingdales Outlet, I've never seen a size 12 in any of those.  So while they might be fun to walk through, chances of finding a size he can wear would be pretty slim.    

All I get is music?

Across the country, you will find Payless stores, most of which carry size 12, and some also have size 13.  There is a store in Hodgkins, Illinois that is along Joliet Road, which was part of original Route 66, that is one of their superstores and carries a wide selection of sizes 12 and 13.  It is in a shopping center called "The Quarry".  Also look for Nordstrom Rack stores (they are in the Chicago area, but I'm not sure about how many other states they may be in).  Those have size 12 and 13 racks as well.  The regular Norstrom department stores (as opposed to the "Rack" outlet stores) also carry at least size 12.  If you make it all the way into the city in Chicago, visit Skyscraper Heels.  They carry big sizes - though for the most part I would call their styles "stripper shoes".  Great if you like very high heels.  As in most areas, sizes 12 and 13 are hard to come by in the stores.

Nice booties, Peter1.  Something I would wear for sure!  I do wear boots like those out and about - but typically with longer jeans that cover the heel for the most part.  If you wish not to be easily noticed (as am I), try a pair of longer, more boot cut style jeans so the heels are not so conspicuous and give them a go outside.  You'll enjoy it!

On 3/4/2017 at 2:05 AM, zepan said:

Two of my latest purchases. Nothing special but very easy to walkin. 

I like the Mary Janes especially!  Great look, and easy to walk in.

On 2/2/2017 at 10:40 PM, SF said:

RonC.....   We must be of similar vintage.  I also have fond memories of shopping at Thom McAnn.  Remember CH Baker, their brand was Quali Craft I believe?  My memories are from the late 60' and early 70's.  I still have a pair of CH Baker flat sandals, and wear them occasionally.  Ahhh, the good 'ol days....   sf

Yes - late sixties/early seventies was my first real foray into heels.  I would try to wear my mom's, but she had very small feet and I was out of those early on.  Waited until I was able to drive - turned 16 in 1967 - so I could get to the stores.  We had Baker's, and in the midwest, Malings was quite popular.  Kinney's was also big here.  And I think a more local store called O'Conner & Goldberg.  I came to find out that they actually carried heels in size 11.  Unfortunately, about the time I found that out, they went out of business!

If I were King of the world, I'd make heels mandatory for all women!  And acceptable for all men!

Seriously, as much as I love seeing the ladies in heels - and I might add there are not nearly enough of them doing so these days - I do find it absurd that heels would be required.  That said, however, it it is made clear that the dress code calls for heels, and one takes a job under that premise, then there should be no issues about what footwear needs to be worn.  You have the choice to not take the job if you don't like the dresscode.  I know that would be considered discriminatory then......

1. First was a pair of Thom McAn two tone brown pumps with a roughly three inch heel.  We are talking mid-60's now, and real heels were getting hard to find, as fashion was into the Woodstock era - ladies dressshoes were mostly low block heels.  I went in to the store looking for a different pair - a peep toe, sling back pump with a pom pom like ornament - but they only came as large as a size 8.  Shoes stopping at size 8 (US) was not all that unusual at the time.  I asked for a size 10 - very embarassed and intimidated young teenager at the time.  He said they didn;t have what I wanted in a size 10, but he would look to see what they had.  Those fairly homely looking brown things were it.  I took them anyway - likely didn;t own them long as I had no where to keep anything.  Second pair was much more enjoyable - a pair of black t-straps from the Alden's catalog.  Wow - we're talking like 50 years ago now - I'm amazed how vivid those memories are!

On 2/1/2017 at 10:01 AM, redandwhite said:

Got these sexy Lk Bennett boots , £300 off!

Nice Boots!

On 1/29/2017 at 6:53 PM, mlroseplant said:

While browsing the web, I stumbled upon this article, http://www.shoefitnerd.com/shoes/pumps-slip-in-back/ , which goes into great detail about why pumps can be a pain in the neck (or foot). Yes! Guilty of having bought 1/2 size smaller because of heel slippage. Now I know better. It's part of a series of articles that seem to be well and thoroughly researched.

This was good, informative reading.  Plus, the reader had a good attitude about heels.  Well designed/made ones can work for many people - and cost doesn't always determine if they are a properly designed shoe that fits.  Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell all of the noted features by a quick glance in the store or an on-line photo.

On 1/19/2017 at 7:40 PM, Steve63130 said:

Nice boots, TBG!

You might want to go back and edit your post to correct the URL of the web site. It should be shoeshow.com.

I bought 6 new pairs of shoes from them a couple of weeks ago (for a total of $73!) but the only ones I kept were a pair of Drexlite "Shelby" shooties with a 3" tapered heel (pictured below). The selection online was good and the fit was ok on all six, but on the five I returned, either I just didn't like them as much on me as in the online illustration, or they weren't comfortable. I took them back to a retail store about 15 miles away yesterday and got a refund on the five pair which I returned, with no questions asked and no return fee or postage charge. I browsed in the retail store for a while but saw hardly anything in large sizes (11 or 12), so I left empty-footed.

Steve

I was just in a Shoe Show store shopping today.  The one I visit usually has a very good selection of size 12, and also typically has wide widths available, which I can wear in a size 11.  However, the selection today was weak - not sure why.  Very few 12s or 11 wides.  Hopefully it is just because of the seasonal switch.  It is a great place to shop with really low prices on most shoes - and the staff is not the least bit bothered by a guy shopping for heels.  I wore my Clark's angle boots with 3" block heels today, and walked the entire mall in them.  I have to admit that my feet were hurting a bit by the time I got back to the car.  I did stop at a K-Mart and a Famous Footwear as well.  Nothing larger than 11 at K Mart, though I did try on a few that I liked and would have bought if they had fit better.  

On 1/19/2017 at 2:19 PM, Henri1942 said:

As you can see, I am comfortable with myself in public.  These are two different hotels with different guests.  Faces are blanked out to protect them.

Nice skirts and pumps, Henri - and I'm jealous from the reaction you are getting from the ladies!  

Nice look Henri

Jeans over boots for me.  

Nice!

I'm with you on that one TBG.  I don;t get it either.  It even looks wrong....lol.

Interesting....apparently, the trend toward heels for men is over in the fashion industry.  I scrolled through page after page of the photos in the "french guy" first link, and other than the guy himself, I did not spot a single guy in heels, either runway models or attendees.  Too bad - there was some hope a year or two ago, but it looks like it did not have a lasting impact.  

I bought my then wife to be a couple pairs of heels before we were married.  45 years later I still buy her shoes and boots.  Unfortunately, no heels these days due to foot and back issues, balance problems, etc.  Not much enjoyment anymore from the purchases, but I try to pick out some with at least a feminine touch to them.  That is getting more difficult as she is moving closer to the need for orthopedic styles these days.

Ok, I'm old and crotchety I guess, but I just don't get it.  Put a brick under the front of the shoe and a long dowel rod under the heel.  I just can;t see the grace and aesthetics.  Please don;t get angry with me, just my voicing my own opinion here.  But it looks like one can't even stand up straight in those, much less walk anywhere.  Where is the fun in that - aren't shoes meant for walking?  To me, one of the greatest joys of heels is watching a fine young lady stride gracefully along in her heels.  Ain't nobody gonna' do no graceful striding in those puppies....lol.

On 11/23/2016 at 7:57 PM, Steve63130 said:

Ron,

I really like that shoe style. I have been in love with Naturalizer "Mattison" t-straps for over a year. I first saw them on my gal pal in the marketing department of our retirement community. She looks gorgeous whenever she wears them. Although they come in size 12, the heels are lower than yours and the price is higher. When they finally come down to something more reasonable, of course, they'll be sold out in size 12.<sigh> Oh, well.

Steve

Those Naturalizers are nice as well.  I would have no problem with a somewhat lower heel, and the small platform would likely add a bit of comfort as well.  But you're like correct in the assumption that, when the price drops, all of teh size 12s will be sold out!  Seems to be the way things go for those of us with large shoe sizes - unfortunately.

On 11/14/2016 at 5:51 PM, hh4evr1 said:

Before returning them, try a insert/gel cushion in the toe box and a heel grip/pad. It may help stop your foot going so far forward and keep your heel in tighter.

They are nice. So if there is a way to make them wearable it may mean you get to keep them.

Haven't had much luck with inserts, etc. in the past.  These were way too long.  I could insert an entire finger at the back of the shoe when I had it on.  I was walking out of the shoe with both feet.  Typically have a problem with the left foot, as my right foot is at least a half size larger than my left.  But when I'm walking out with the right foot as well, it's pretty much hopeless.  Too bad, I did like the look.

On 11/14/2016 at 8:07 PM, Jessika said:

Sexy and sensible

Thanks, Jessika.  They were very cute and, I thought, sexy.  Loved the cutouts.  But just couldn't make them work.  I'm finding it really difficult to find heels that fit properly these days.  In actuality, I probably need a US size 11.5.  Unfortunately, 99% of the manufacurers do not make an 11.5.  I guess people with feet over size 10 don't have the same degrees of size variation as those under 10.  Heck, even 9.5 is hard to come by.

Bought these the other day at Shoe Carnival.  Bandolino brand, Moncha is the style name.  $39.99.  Got them in a size 11, and the heel in size 11 is right about 4".  There are quite snug, but at least I'm not walking out of them.  Would probably have been a great fit had they come in a wide width.  I love the t-straps and the patent and suede contrast.  I doubt I'll wear them out unless they loosen up quite a bit, as I don;t think I could walk far in them without some pain due to their tightness.

Received these on Friday.  Nine West Janita in size 12.  4" heel.  $39.99 on Amazon.  Unfortunately, they will be returned.  Too narrow in the toe box and too long.  Cannot walk without my heel popping out, and the width is such that I'd never be able to wear them very long. much less walk in them very far.  Too bad.  I really like the cutout design and the heel was nice.  Sorry for the blurry shots.

At least those look walkable, hh4evr1.  Nice color.  Personally, I just don't get the super high heel thing.  To me, the shoes end up looking totally misshapen when heels get that high.  But if that's what you enjoy, have fun with it!