RonC

I love shorts with heels, but not overly fond of the idea of shorts and boots.  If it's warm enough for shorts, why the heck would I want to encase my legs and feet in some hot (and I'm talking temperature here, not looks...lol) boots?  Maybe with tights on a cool day I could see it working.

Rather hard to see in those photos

9 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

I dunno, maybe it's because I'm from a small town.

I tend to think that plays a large part in the picture.  In general, hardworking people that don't rely on the government for their subsistence.  

On 1/6/2021 at 6:45 AM, mlroseplant said:

I was really thinking more of general studies when I made that comment. In my experience, both ends of the political spectrum are generally well represented at American colleges and universities, even so-called "liberal" ones.

While I think in the middle of our country that might be true, I believe the institutions on the coasts have leaned considerably farther to the left these days.  

@Bubba136, after that description, I am jealous.  While my wife was a heel wearer, I doubt that would have been the case if not for my desire to see her in them.  She did dress nicely, but not with the dedication to fashion you described for your wife.  She can no longer wear a heel of any type thanks to bad feet and spinal stenosis, and since she no longer works and isn't out and about in the world too often, her fashion sense has waned considerably.  I find it amazing that she was ok with you wearing heels.  Not trying to be nosy, but you used the past tense several times when talking about your wife.  Hope all is ok.

@Bubba136Hard to complain when your wife is actually buying you heels....lol.  So if she liked the most feminine, girly styles, is that what she wears?  If so, she has a big thumbs up from me!

On 1/8/2021 at 11:50 PM, Pumped said:

You have more patience than me. When ever I buy a new pair of heels I have to try them on in the car in the parking lot! I often wear them driving home.

I'm with you on that one, though I've typically tried them on in-store before the purchase.  However, if I'm picking up something at the post office or a ship to store purchase, they go on when I get to the car!

This may have been the first to use actual video, but prior studies have come to the same conclusions.  I doubt this will change much of anything in terms of what women want to wear - or men for that matter.

Actually looks to be two pair of boots there.

Curious, are all of your shoes kept in the cellar?  Or do you keep the "currently being worn" shoes elsewhere?

Interesting conversation.  I find that the older I get, I'm not a real big fan of change....lol.

18 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Rid the platform and lower the heel by the same amount then you have a perfect shoe. Just me, but i really don't get the draw of platforms. 

I am there with you on that though I've softened a bit lately.  I can handle the look of a small platform (1/2" of less) and will say that from my experience of trying on several pairs over the years, they do seem to provide a bit more comfort under the ball of the foot.  But the thick ones like these just don't look aesthetically pleasing to me.  The sandals I wore this past summer for public heeling had wedge heels and probably a 1/2" platform, something that I never thought I'd purchase from both the wedge and the platform standpoint.  They ended up being probably the most comfortable heels I've ever had the opportunity to walk in.  But that said, I'd much rather see a single sole stiletto any day of the week.

22 hours ago, Puffer said:

Likewise, the interesting statistics on 'steepness' would perhaps be better understood if the increments were smaller, e.g. say 3.5" - 5" (or whatever limits apply) in increments of 1/4".  👠

That seems a bit much to ask.  All 80 shoes measured in 1/4" increments.  Guessing @mlroseplant has better things to do.

18 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Honestly i stopped counting at 300.

Seriously @Jkrenzer.  Wow, that's an insane amount.  I've probably owned 300 pairs of heels in the course of my 50+ year infatuation, but most are long gone.  I suppose if I would have had the capability to store them somewhere, maybe I'd have that many as well.  I know there are many that I wish I still had!

Wow.  I bet there are very few people in the world that own 80 pairs of shoes of any kind.  Wonder what your total investment was?  Also, just looking at the numbers, I assume that there is some carry over between mules and sandals?  Otherwise, things don't add up.

I know the feeling.  There was a girl in high school that I was crazy about.  I was too shy to ask her out on a date - or actually maybe too scared of rejection if she said no.  It's now 53 years later and I still think of her quite often.  I've had a wonderful wife and family, but I still can't help but wonder.  She was such a sweetheart.  I didn't know about heels at the time as in the late 60's heels were low and chunky.  However, her version of that was a three strap black patent mary-jane with about a 2" heel that she wore quite often to school.  I did see her at my 25th reunion, but didn't realize it was her until near the end of the night, as she now had blond hair after being a brunette in school.  She was by far the best looking woman in the room that night, and one of the few wearing nice heels.  I wanted to go find her and talk with her, but I was there with my wife and didn't think that would have gone over too well.  I guess maybe I was also still afraid of that rejection thing...lol.  I will rue my lack of nerve forever.

46 minutes ago, VirginHeels said:

A final question, is there a difference in feel on a stiletto to a block heel??

There definitely is a difference.  Block heels tend to be quite stable, no ankle wobble, and also tend to distribute the weight across more of the foot.  However, they can feel clunky.  I sometimes feel as if I'm clopping along on block heels.  Stilettos are, as would be expected given the very small heel contact point, a bit less stable.  They also tend put more pressure on the fore foot.  That said, I actually feel a bit more comfortable in a narrower heel, all else being equal.  They are to me more graceful to walk in.

Love the toe cleavage on those pumps!

I do not know the "why", but I recall being attracted to heels at a very young age.  Maybe it was my female cousins and neighborhood girls fascination with and always wanting the wear their Mom's heels that spurred my desire to experience them for myself.  They always seemed to get a thrill from wearing heels, and I guess I wanted that thrill too.  

2 hours ago, Puffer said:

For those who wish to read it, here is a link: https://yorkspace.library.yorku.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10315/32766/DAngelo_Francesca_2016_PhD.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

While I have no desire to read all 250 or so pages, this looks to be an interesting study.  Seems the author is not condemning heels and concludes that people should be able to wear whatever they please without question or ridicule from others.

Thanks!

Amazing where a short video from the 1960's has taken this conversation!  The point made by @Bubba136 is quite valid.  Womens shoes have historically been made to make the foot look smaller.  I do believe that is changing some, however, as I've seen some womens shoes these days that are getting close to @Cali noted clown shoes.  A hostess in a restaurant I picked up some food at on Christmas Eve was wearing one of the ugliest pairs of white booties.  Looked like maybe a Doc Martin style, white with a think black sole and elastic inserts near the ankle also in black.  They looked clunky as hell.  Likely quite comfortable for her, which I can understand for someone that has to be on her feet all day.  Maybe if they were at least black they wouldn't have looked so huge.'

@mlroseplant I am kind of surprised that the difference was noted in the work boots.  Just wouldn't have thought that, other than overall size, it would have been that much different.

7 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

I think they do look a lot better on than they do sitting on a display shelf. Since you usually look at a person's shoes with a downward facing angle, maybe it takes some of the clunkiness away?

Not sure either, but I'm still not in the market for a pair...lol.  You look good in them.  I guess maybe there is a certain masculine bent to the heaviness of them.

Ok, I'm old I guess.  What are MGTOW guys?

8 hours ago, Cali said:

4th most painful thing I been through when they pulled the two 4 inch pins out of my foot; the only time I have screamed in a doctors office.

My wife went through that as well.  I wish that on no one.

I was reading about the Brannock device (the device for measuring feet to use in shoe fitting) and learned something I didn't know.  I know it measures heel to end of toe length, but there is also an adjustment that is supposed to be positioned on the side of the ball of the foot, and that measures heel to ball of foot length.  This is to account for differences in toe length.  According to the article, whichever indicates the largest size is the size you should go with.  The following provides some explanation.  

Why Heel-to-Ball Is Essential

This illustration shows two feet which are the same length, but each require different size shoes. There are different fittings for short-toed feet and long-toed feet. Proper shoe-fitting incorporates not only overall length (heel-to-toe measurement) but also arch length (heel-to-ball measurement). Shoes are designed to flex at the ball of the foot. Correct fitting properly positions the ball joint in the shoe and provides room for the toes so they are not confined.

WITHOUT UTILIZING HEEL TO BALL MEASUREMENT

Improperly fitted shoes (shown right) can cause a variety of foot problems in addition to general discomfort and shoe breakdown. If the arch of the foot is not positioned properly in the shoe, the foot will become fatigued and uncomfortable.

Compare the arch length to the heel-to-toe length. Generally you'll use the larger of the two measurements as the correct shoe size. If the arch length and heel-to-toe length are the same, this will be the shoe size. If the heel-to-toe length is larger than the arch length, then fit to the heel-to-toe size. If arch length is larger than heel-to-toe, then fit to arch length.

EXAMPLE:

It is important that both measurements be taken and compared to find the proper shoe size. Simply using the heel-to-toe length may result in an improper fit.

I think that quite often "hurt" and "tired" are used for the same feeling.  If I spend a considerable amount of time on my feet regardless of what shoes I'm wearing, my feet will get tired and I'm happy to sit down and take off my shoes.  But I will admit to having some actual pain while in heels depending on which shoes I am wearing as well as whether or not my feet are a bit puffy or not.  My pain typically occurs in the toes, and most often my little toes.  Certainly my feet are somewhat wider than average.  However, a wide width shoe is not always an answer.  Seems to have more to do with my feet sliding down into the shoe due to the slope of the heel, and the wider width shoes seem to make that happen more.  I do also get occasional ball of the foot pain.  I think, however, when a woman says "my feet are killing me", it is likely something more than just tired feet.

I think there are a number of ways a shoe can cause discomfort.  However, the vast majority of the discussions of foot pain and high heels deals with pressure on the ball of the foot and toes being squeezed as they are pushed down into pointed shoes.  It can be scientifically shown that the greater the heel height, the grater the downforce on the forefoot.  That is pretty simple physics.  Design can alleviate some of that by attempting to shift weight back through higher arch support or altered slope to the heel section, but the laws of physics can only be overcome to a certain point.  What I personally have found is that the fit of the shoe in terms of where the bottom of the arch/start of the sole hit my foot makes the most difference.  If there is support just behind the ball of my foot and up through the arch, the shoe is more comfortable and I slide down less into the toe box.  If the ball of my foot extends out past the spot where the arch and sole meet, they will not be comfortable, regardless of overall size/width characteristics.  

Well, as a largely colorblind person, the mix of colors doesn't bother me at all...lol.  I have to say that those shoes look pretty good on you, which surprises me as they are not a style I generally like.  That said, I'm still not in the market for a pair .