RonC

HappyFeat, I don't want this to come out sounding wrong, but I think maybe, just maybe, the reason women tend to be more open and forward to you when you are dressed and wearing heels is that they may think you are gay. And for some reason, women seem to be very open to gay men. (boy, am I stereotyping here! lol). Needless to say, they quickly find out you are not, but I would imagine that the initial impression is often that a man dressed at least partially in what is traditionally womens clothing and footwear may be gay. There is no insinuation here at all, but I think that may be the reason that they are more willing to talk and more open initially. Your thoughts?

Heri, a great look. But I am curious as to why, after looking at those pictures, you're not comfortable with a skirt? The shorts with those heels is not much different in appearance that a skirt, and actually might be likely to be more noticeable. This is, however, coming from someone that would never have the nerve to wears heels in the places you do, much less wear them so they stood out to that level! Keep on truckin'!

Wow, rxrenesis. I'm glad you like them, but, wow, that is a really odd shoe. Somewhere on this site is a thread of the top ten worst shoes, and for my money, these would have to join the list for sure. I know each to his or her own, but I just don't....oh, never mind. I should follow the old adage and just shut up if I can't say something nice. You'd likely have similar words for some of the shoes I find hot and sexy. But there is no denying that those are certainly different!

Sorry, but I've never liked that style. On men or women, matters not to me.

Happy, I like the new photo format! Much nicer to have several shots to browse through! Good luck on the web site deal (and of course, with the "exotic" lady! lol.

Just wondering where that great sounding shoe store is, Roni?

The attachment here works well for me. It is large enough to get a good view. I'm usually not one for prints, but I like the animal print sandals!

Roniheels is exactly right. This is how I have discovered the extent of men buying high heels; by asking the employees or proprietors of the stores I may be in and I have found they are quite ready to share what they know. A store run by a friend of mine in Chicago which caters to the TG/CD crowd does better than 50% business with men who are buying shoes for men. Other stores such as Payless and Target seem to always have shoes in size 11 and sometimes 12, probably one in ten pairs of shoes sold at those store are intended for men. Then, of course there is the Internet. I have bought lingerie, pantyhose, high heels, dresses, and nail polish at Target or other stores and never had any reaction. You should try on shoes in the store or you can wait until the last 30 or so minutes of the business day when it is pretty empty if you are not so brave. Of course if enough people see guys trying on women's shoes it will become a routine sight not evoking any surprise at all. The bottom line is that money is gender neutral and so are the vsat majority of stores like these, they know there is another market out there...US!

HappyinHeels, are you by chance referring to Skyscraper Heels in Chicago? Are there other stores in the area that you visit and try on heels? I am interested, as I am in the Chicago area.

HappyFeats, I like the cleavage on those Maddens. If you typically wear an 11 and they are tight, I'd be in trouble, as most any manufacturers shoe in an 11 is snug for me. The Bandolino's are snug for sure with bare feet, not so bad with nylons. One of the pairs I tried on actually did fit quite comfortably in an 11. I just didn;t like them as well. If I was actually intending to wear them out and about for an extended time, I would have bought the comfortable pair. But for brief outing, the pair I bought is bearable.

Actually, stockings have been given an OK with peep toes, as long as it is a true "peep', and not a pair that exposes most of the toes. And lately, stockings have been accepted for even more open shoes, as long as the stocking is an opaque. Showing my age here, but I still think sheer stockings look fine with any shoe. Just IMHO.

Ironically, when I first went to the Bandolino store that I frequent, I asked about other guys trying on/buying shoes at the store. The store manager told me there was a guy who "bought all of his shoes" from Bandolino and she did tell me where he worked in the mall. I went to look for him while heeling and never had any luck finding him. But it is a very good thought!

How interesting! Wonder if all malls have at least one guy that wears heels??? lol!

HappyFeat, another group of nice outings for you! As I can tell we share many likes in terms of heels, I am not surpirsed to hear that you almost bought those Bandolinos as well. I too like the black and white version, but I felt a bit less conspicuous in the all black style, if you know what I mean. They are enjoyable shoes and I love the look. The heel is high enough to enjoy, but not so high as to make walking difficult. Thanks again for returning to a "shoe shot" in your posts. I like them all!

Today I went to a Bandolino store in the mall. I likely would not have gone there but for the mentions by HappyFeat in his discussions of heeling and where he goes to shop and try on shoes. I selected a few pairs and asked the clerk if she had them in an 11 or 12. They didn;t carry 12's, but she said she likely had them in an 11. She did state that in the larger sizes, they usually only get one or two pair in a shipment. When she brought them out, I said I would need to try them on assuming she had no problem with that. She said fine, and handed me a pair of footies. When I asked if I was the first guy to try on shes, she said no, there is another guy that works in the mall that comes in quite regularly (I should have asked where he worked, I could have looked him up!). I tried on the first three she brought out as well as one additional request, and did buy a pair. Thankfully, the store was empty, as I really am not into doing that in a busy shop in my home territory. Anyway, all went well, and I'm sure she will sell me additional shoes in the future.

Just bought these today at the Bandolino store. Glad that I could get into a size 11, as I mostly need a 12. Bandolino seems to have a somewhat generous cut in many of their styles.

After your discussions of the Bandolino shop in your area, I decided to give the one in my area a try today. It is in a mall, so I picked early morning in hopes that the stores would not be crowded, and I was in luck on that, as I was the only person in the store. I selected a few pairs (Bandolino often has styles that I like, so it wasn't difficult) and asked of she had them in size 11 or 12. No 12's, she said, but I probably have them in an 11. SHe went to find the shoes I selected and came back with three pairs. I said that I would need to try them, and if that would be a problem. She said no, and in fact there is another guy that works in the mall that comes in all the time to trry on shoes. She handed me some footies and off I went. I'm still not real big on waltzing around a shop in the mall, but I did try on and walk some in all three pair, as well as one that I asked for later, and ended up buying the first pair pictured. Thanks, Happyfeat, for without your discussions here, I probably would not have ever gone in there!

Thanks for the additional "shoe" shots, Happyfeat. I greatly appreciate being able to see your fine collection of footwear. And I hope that you eventually have success with finding a woman that will share your passion. That is the ultimate but, alas, one that I will never attain with my wife.

Here in the US, a good place for stockings and pantyhose, believe it or not, is Sears. They have a wide range of sizes and typically a fairly good selection of colors and styles, from ultra sheer to opaques. If I wear hosiery, I most often pick a thigh-high (stay-up). Being 5-11 and about 195 lbs, but with what I would consider thinner than many legs, I find that their size E thigh high is great, as it is long enough to come to the very top of my leg, which for me provides the slight indent at the very top of the leg that allows the stockings to stay in place. Unless one shaves or has hairless legs, the thigh-highs tend to slide down the typically hairy mans leg. So these work pretty well, and are decently long wearing.

HappyFeat, thanks for the continuing story line. I always look forward to a new post, and only wish it was me with the bravado to do what you are doing. One thing I do miss of late, however, is.that the pictures you had been posting with each outfit (those with pants that is) where you lift your pant leg to show the full shoe. It always made me appreciate the "un-lifted" photo a bit more when I could get a good look at the heels you were wearing. Without that, it is difficult to see just what the heels look like. So if I could make a small request, it would be to again include a "pant leg lifted" shot as well as the normal shot in your posts. Thanks again!

Personally, I didn't like platforms in the 70's, and I don't like them now. Always looks clunky, no matter how elegant the actual shoe design. I just don't understand the attraction to having something that thick ruin the lines of a shoe. I just wish that fashion would end its fascination with those things. But hey, I know there are many lovers of platforms at this site, and more power to you!

Typically, I take a US women's size 12. While there are many brands that stop at 10, the majority these days seem to go to an 11. I can wear some size 11s, but they are almost always tight. So, if I could have one size smaller (at at least one width narrower), it would open up a lot more possibilities. But as stated by several others, it sure could be expensive!

This thread relateds to what asked a while ago.I really like shoes with toe cleavage.I am glad Heelfan brought up LovelyPumps as I would like to order a pair from them.I know this a old post but has anybody orderd from them lately?

Barbara, while I haven't ordered from Lovely Shoes, I do have a couple pairs from Classic Pumps. WHile not as extreme in the toe cleavage department, they are nicely cut shoes and decent quality. And Walt at Classic Pumps always provides great service. It is probably easier doing business with a company in the US (as I see that is where you are located), as the communication gap regarding sizes is not present, and the shipping is easier. And if you should happen to be in the greater Chicago area, Walt will be happy to have you come out to try before you buy!

Regarding Lovely Pumps, I would love to have a pair of the shoes with the t-strap that they show in two flat versions on their site (one with a rounded tow, one more pointed), but with a 3 1/2-4 inch heel. But the price is a bit much! If you do ever buy something there, please let us all know how it went.

If you like cleavage and are even thinking about buying a pair from Lovely Pumps, you are a girl after my own heart. Would you marry me??....lol

What are the sizes at Nine West like? I really like a lot of their styles, but I wonder what their size 12 is like. I can wear a payless size 12, but I'm not sure if the Nine West is similar. Can anyone clue me in on this?

dingpat, I found that Nine West, just like any other brand, varies from shoe style to shoe style in fit. In the outlet, I tried on a high heel, kind of loafer style pump with a somewhat rounded toe in an 11 and the fit was snug, but generally OK. I also tried on the one pair of size 12 shoes I found, a somewhat thinker heel, black smooth/black patent almond toe Mary Jane style that was a bit narrow in the toe box and probably, if I had tried on the left shoe as well, would have been too long for my left foot, which is a bit smaller than my right. I also had a pair of heels from Nine West that I bought at the outlet without trying them on. They were a style called, I believe Tree Toes, which was a pointed toe suede and leather pump with a small t-strap set low on the shoe near the toe box. They were a size 12, so I thought they would be plenty big, and when I went to put them on, they were so small that I did a double check to see if the shoes were the same size as marked on the box. They were smaller than many 11s that I have owned or tried on. So....that is why I have taken to, in most instances, trying things on before I purchase. That way I will at least know that I can get into them.

I went to a Nine West outlet store yesterday. I was a bit disappointed by the selection, as there wasn't much there that caught my eye. I did try on a couple of shoes. Unfortunately, there was a Mom shopping with two young daughters (I would guess in the 9-12 year old range) and I just didn't feel comfortable letting them see me trying stuff on, so I limited myself. I actually went to a few other stores and came back, only to find them still there, so I just moved on. Really didn;t miss much, as there were probably only two other pairs that I would have even tried. Went to a couple of other stores (Naturalizer, Famous Footwear) but didn't get a good vibe at Naturalizer, and they only had one shoe I liked in an 11 which probably wouldn't have fit anyway, so I skipped that, and FF had nothing. A rather disappointing trip to the outlet mall, darn it.

C'mon folks. While they may be "menswear inspired", with a heel like that, no one is going to mistatke them for men's shoes. Be serious....

I also voted pants and heels, as I'll not be walking the streets in a sjirt any time soon...lol. However, if you ask me what I like to see on a woman, it would definitely be a skirt or dress and heels. I want to be able to admire the shoes, not have to search for them.