RonC

Wow, I sure don't understand why anyone would have a problem driving in heels. Well, I guess if your in to the stripper type shoes with those very high platforms and heels, it then would be a problem. But a typical pair of 3-4" heel pumps? I've driven in those for years, and I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between driving in those heels, and driving in typical men's shoes. If you drive as you are supposed to drive, using the ball of the foot for the brake and gas (and clutch if necessary), there should be no problem at all!

Bubba, I wish I could, but airplane/hotel reservations have been made and paid for, so that is not an option. Alas, woe is me!

I am totally bummed out that a heel meet is being held in my city, and I cannot be there, because I'll be out of town that week. My chance to heel and meet, and I am a no show.........that just sucks.

Hebbler, I share your love of Classic Pumps shoes and your pain regarding the price! I do have a pair of the Rossi style, and the toe cleavage is nice. I bought a pair that had a minor flaw, so I didn;t have to pay the full freight on those. Trying on in the store is an adventure. I can recall the first time I did that, and it was difficult. I found a store that I knew carried large sizes, and I called ahead to see what the reaction would be for a request to try on heels. The person that answered the phone, who I later learned was the owner, said that it was absolutely no problem, that I certainly wasn't the only guy to do that, and to stop in any time. I could either use the back room, or I could just try on in the store. At first I did ask to go in back, but after a while I just used the store area (though not if other customers were around). At one time I had three different stores that offered my services such as that, and with a call ahead, there is no surprise (and they can't tell who you are on the phone, so don;t be afraid to call!). Unfortunately, all are now out of business. I assume that the competition from stores such as DSW and the internet cut too far into business. What a shame, I sure miss them! I find that now I am getting much bolder, and I give credit to this community for that. I'm still not at the stage where I will walk into Macy's and strut around in a pair of heels of my liking, but I will try on in some Payless stores if not crowded, and I do use the men's fitting room at stores like Kohl's and Target. I will also slip shoes on in various other stores if not crowded (DSW, especially the stores that have the rear clearance areas, Carnival of Shoes, Sears, etc.) though I do not walk around much, just a quick slip on to check for basic fit. There are a few smaller stores in my area that cater to male heel wearers, so I do have that option, though their shoes tend to fall in the fetish catagory (though many here would love the mostly very high heels that they carry). Walt at Classic Pumps will allow you to try things on if you are in his area. You need to set that up with him ahead of time, however. And you will not be made to feel the least bit uncomfortable there, that's for sure. But that price thing again.....lol. As I'm sure you've read her a million times, just go for it. If anyone had told me 20 years ago that I'd ever walk into a store and try on high heels, I'd have said they were absolutely nuts. Yet I do it now with some regularity!

Happyfeat, I love the t-straps in the first picture! Wish I could see the heel better. Is that a regular spike heel or a wedge? Are they currently available or is that something you've had a while?

I just bought these last night. Nine West. Miraculously found a pair in size 12 at the local Marshalls store. Don't think I've ever seen a 12 there before. They rarely even have much in an 11. I guess the shock made me buy them. What the heck, they were only $20!

Walt at Classic Pumps has a new offering that I would love to have. Unfortunately, they are not cheap ($125 in size 12). While Classic Pumps is an internet store, Walt does offer customers the opportunity to visit and try the shoes on. Unfortunately, he is not exactly convenient.

While it's not always great standing in line with a pair of boxed heels and having the clerk open the box and hold them up for all to see while checking the size, it is somewhat understandable. Most people have one foot larger than the other, and as store clerks will tell you, there have been numerous attempts to buy two different size shoes by switching one shoe. So it is at times a necessity in order to maintain order!

Just came across a site with a decent selection of larger (11 & 12, most available in wide widths) shoes. Not a lot of real high heels, but if someone is looking for every day type dress heels, there are some here.

http://www.wards.com/Apparel-and-Accessories/Shoes/index.cat

WHile I don;t have them yet, I will be searching for these at Payless. The store I stopped at yesterday didn;t have them in yet.

Had a little time to look for some shoes on Friday, so I stopped in at Shoe Carnival. Unfortunately, I really need a size 12, and there are very, very few in that size. I did find a pair of Nina special occasion type sandals with a rhinestone strap, but given the fact that it is winter with snow and ice everywhere, I wasn;t really thinking sandals right now! I did find several pairs of pumps in size 11 that I did try on. One pair of Nine West sling backs with an open tow did fit halfway decent, but again, the open toe and winter didn't go together at the moment. Tried a pair of tweed and patent heels that might have been wearable but were still tighter than I was willing to deal with, and a really nice pair of plain black leather pumps with a bit thicker heel (a look that I'm starting to like, as I think it does look a bit better on most of us guys with bigger feet and heavier legs! Not the real thick heels however), but these were way too tight and alas, no 12. Also tried a pair of strappy sandals on the clearance rack that were a 12. I probably should have boought those, as they were only $5. Bit again, sandals in winter made me lose my desire! Anyway, no purchases, but I did at least try on 4 pairs in a rather crowded store, but I think I was only seen by one person. No reaction other than a long stare. Of course, my try ons are also brief...I'm not parading up and down the aisle and preening in front of the mirrors! lol.

You didn't indicate what size those are. Just wondering what size you've been able to find in second hand shops. As I need an 11 or 12, there are very, and I mean very, few shoes available for me in the second hand shops. I'd be drooling if I could find a pair like those! They are sweet! Love the buckle and the feminine cut of the shoe. Bandolino has many styles that I enjoy.

DanielP, thanks for posting the picture! I couldn't get it to work StilettoScot, I tried changing the name, it still kept telling me I had already posted that image. Can't figure that one out, but that's what was happening. Finally, Aly, glad you are enjoying your Kingman pumps. I did wear them out heeling last week for a short walk. I love the look, but I have had a probelm with the shoe slipping off my left heel. I immediately bought a pair of heel grips, but it hasn't worked. I don't know if the shoe is too low cut or if the heel area is just too wide, but I can't walk with the shoe slipping off like that. I'm afraid they'll need to go to the used clothing collector, darn it.

HHLover, I find it interesting that you had trouble driving in heels. Maybe it because the car was a place that I had the vast majority of my early heel experiences, I've never had a bit of trouble driving with heels on. In fact, it kind of makes you drive properly, using the ball of your foot for the accelerator and brake, the way it supposed to be done )or at least that is how the professionals say to do it). Even in my very early experiences, I do not recall having a problem with heels and driving. Just an observation......please do not take as criticism.

I selected Other as I almost always wear some type of womens hosiery when I wear heels. Kind of goes with the teritory, doesn't it. I mean, a typical high heel pump is made to fit with thin nylon hose (or no hose, I guess), and certainly not with a pair of thick mens socks. I also do, on occasion, enjoy wearing a skirt if I have the time to do so at home. While I have in very rare instances gone the fully dressed route, 99% of the time it is hose and heels alone.

Alsheels, nice legs, and I absolutely love those double strap Mary Janes! Wish I had a pair!

As I mentioned in another thread, height alone isn't cutting it for me these days. I've got to have the style to go with it. If it were simply height, I'd go have higher heels put on a pair of men's shoes, but that is definitely not what I'm looking for. And unfortunately, as of late, I find myself really attracted to the most feminine styles!

Ok, since the system won't allow me to re-post the picture, I'm going to try the link as suggested by Daniel. Here goes... Well, that didn't work either. I keep getting an invalid URL message. One can always go to the Payless web site and look for the Kingston shoe.

Daniel, not sure how to do that?

Also, not to contradict the earlier post, but practicing walking like a model (rope down the middle, stepping across the rope with each step forward) would result in a walk that would draw attention from everyone in the world. Models look rather goofy when they walk that way, and wonem do not do that when the walk down the street. So if you're looking for attention and everyone looking at you going "what the f___!", then go ahead and walk like that!

Wow, this got me thinking (and remembering how old I am!). The first time I decided to actually walk down the street in a pair of heels, I was probably about 19 or 20 years old (early 70's). At that time, the in styles were mostly low, blocky heels for women, but I of course, didn't want those, so I managed to find a pair of relatively thin heeled pumps with crossed instep straps in a size that I could squeeze my feet into (womens 10 was about as big as one could readily find back then, and I wore a mens 10-10.5, so it was definitely a squeeze). It was a cold day, and I fugured that, with jeans, a longer coat, and my head wrapped with a scarf, no one would readily know if I was male of female. So I took those first few steps out of the car and down the street in broad daylight. I didn't get a half of a block before an old man came around the corner (it was so cold I wasn't expecting anyone to be out walking!). He looked at me and asked why I was wearing a babushka! I guess he never noticed my heels, though I imagine he did see them as I walked away. I was too scared to reply, I just kept going, walking quickly back to me car, shaking like crazy! Rather put a damper on my enjoyment of the moment, though now I'd likely give him an answer! Thanks for rekindling a memory!

I did buy a pair of pumps at Payless that I am thinking will be a good choice for heeling. The are a bit of a moc style through the toe area, with a thicker, almost 4" heel. I would have preferred a non-patent shoe, as it is a bit less obvious, but I feel that these are a shoe that I can enjoy wearing without feeling like I'm totally obvious. Hoping to give it a go soon.

latindancer, At one time they were carrying a lot of 12s. As of late, however, the number is dwindling. Interestingly, I have also notice that the Target online store has quit carrying 12s in many of their lines of shoes. I guess sales just aren't high enough in those sizes. Pisses me off!

Oh well, I guess I posted them in another thread, so they won't go through here. Next time!

Hmmm, picture didn't post. Try again!