Fog

I can join you for lunch, I'd probably be up in Oxford St by 12.15.

My last lunchtime trip was on Wednesday - I've been away in France for the weekend so no time to post.

I pushed the boat out and wore light tan ankle boots from Moshulu

(not that I wore them like that more's the pity)

with a slightly rounded 4" blade heel over narrow jeans. The whole heel and half the boot was visible. I got out of the office quickly did a couple of chores first. I had thought of changing right outside and doing them, but since one of the jobs I had to do was get some euros. There's a really cheap place in Victoria street where the spread between buying and selling is only 3 or 4 cents, compared to the 20 you're charged in some places, so theres always a queue and the last thing I wanted was to be observed in the queue. I've got less running power in heels! I went for a stroll down Oxford Street, and took my life in my hands crossing Park Lane, rather than use the subway. The combination of 4" heels and 700 euros in one's pocket tends to make you more carefull.

Anyway, back to the point, I wore heels in and out of various shops inculding HMV where I worked and got no reaction at all. Bit of a dull post really - but that's how it is. There was nothing to buy either, just as well!

My only experience with "charity shops" has been to take donations of our no longer worn clothing and shoes. But, from the condition of the things we've donated, there isn't a thing wrong with purchasing items from that sort of establishment. I know we've donated some very expensive, high label garmets. And, while the styles might be a little dated, they still have a lot of "wear" left in them.

That reminds me of a recent lunchtime trip I made about three weeks ago. I went to Notting Hill for a change of scene. There are some interesting vintage clothing and shoe shops around there. I bought a pair of new look ankle boots for £1, walked out of the shop with them, decided they were slightly too big and not at all comfy so took them off, put back my 4" stilletto rear zip ankle boots and found a charity shop and dropped them off at.

I've rarely bought shoes at charity shops. Perhaps I'm a bit funny about it, but I'd rather shoes that only I have worn. On the other hand, and way off topic, charity shops are great for vinyl. I reckon you've got to buy four or five to get a listenable record. I've got absolutely no qualms about re-cycling the remainder. I look on my vinyl collection as a hobby and as long as I approve of the charity I don't mind buying a few duds.

Heel-D, I'm wondering, when are you going to run out of space!!

Congratulations fog. Sounds like a liberating experience! Can't wait until the day I can wear heels to work (in a future job not my current one). Fog, can I ask: what is the dress code like at your office? What type of job is it that you do? Marketing/advertising based? How relaxed is it?

Thank you - It was a fun experience - but it wasn't at the office. There was only one of my regular colleagues there and she appeared to be two inches shorter than normal - so I must have been taller to her. She's not mentioned it again though. The only ladies shoes I wear to work are a fairly expensive pair of 1 1/2" ankle boots which have been complimented by my colleagues and a similar size pair of chelsea boots. I'm doing it in small steps!

I work in the public sector in market research. There are a lot of marcomms people on our floor. The dress code is relaxed. I think the most important rule in any work situation is not to be smarter than the boss. Therefore wearing a smart suit and a tie is out. I either wear jeans or formal trousers, only a tie if I'm out of the office on a meeting. I'm paid for what I do, not what I look like.

There's nothing wrong with being called gay. If you have a certain style and are more interested in lets say the finer things in life, people might make that assumption. For many people it's easier to say of those things that they don't understand - e.g. a fugue, or a work of visual art - it's crap, than to make the effort. Making the assumption you're gay takes a lot less effort.

Thank you

Thank you

I was browsing in a charity shop recently and saw an album that I nearly bought for the cover - it was a best of abba compilation, but the blond guy - had 4 inch heels with 2 inch platforms. They looked quite good on him. It reminded me that I wore 2 1/2 inch heels with platforms without any of the qualms that we have nowadays, because all young guys were wearing them.

I finally did it - I wore a pair of heels all day - only a small step compared to the strides that some of you are making, but I did it. I wore a pair of 2 1/2 inch block heel ankle boots on a course I was going to. I got to the station and was standing there wondering what I was doing wearing heels on a course. I eventually found the hotel and had to walk across the reception area where the delegates were waiting, having coffee etc. The floor was hard and my shoes were noisy, the soles, not the heels, but noticeable. The course was on qualitative market research and the lecture room was laid out in a horseshoe, and there were mirrors on the front wall, so I was pretty exposed, when I walked the whole heel was visible and sitting down the whole boot was. I sat next to a colleague from my office. She didn't make any comment, neither did anyone else. By lunchtime I was relaxed and started to enjoy myself - by 4pm I was starting to nod. Afterwards I had a nice trying on session in Shellys in High St Kensington - very helpful sales assistant, nice pair of pull on mid calf boots - but too big in a 41. The balls of my feet started to hurt by the end of the day. But it was a worthwhile experience. I wonder if my colleague will say anything. I doubt it, but in case she does I can say that was nothing, and pull out a pair of stilettos from under the desk

Dawn, I think busking will have to be a component of my retirement plan! Things could be worse. The South Bank of the Thames is a lovely place to go and earn money.

Hi guys, Dawn - TBG has explained, busking is being a street musician. A few years ago as well as my day job I busked on the south bank of the Thames. I was in a bit of a financial crisis due to my recent divorce. I found it great fun and a stretching experience, I suppose just like wearing heels. It was the whole idea that I can do this, and do it well enough to come away after an hour with three times what I'd get from my day job. At the time it was very empowering. I'd love to busk in heels, but I'm worried that I could become a target. Regarding the boots I wore in the office, my boss - just become my ex-boss, things are always changing there. Dave was impressed, he said they were very snazzy, especially with the trousers I was wearing. Dave's a very stylish gay man, he went on to say he couln't wear anything higher than two inches. I haven't worn heels in front of anyone in work since. I'm going on a course on tuesday and am thinking of wearing a pair of 2 1/2" block heels. TBG, I'm afraid it wasn't the lace up boots I wore after work, I was a pair of 4" stiletto ankle boot. I am getting there, I'll do it one day. It takes a bit of organising. Mrs F isn't keen on me wearing heels locally, she's far too worried about the opinions of others, so I can't just walk out of the house wearing heels. TBG, I'm

Well it looks like your prospective colleagues have decided for you anyway. It should be a fun place to work, good luck.

Fogborkenvv-

You might give wearing thigh boots outside a try sometime. I really find it easier than wearing heels under my slacks/jeans. At least I don’t worry about somebody seeing what I’m wearing. Not trying to hide something reduces a lot of the stress that can be generated in a male wearing heels.

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One day perhaps, I'm contemplating a step on the way which is to wear trousers tucked in to knee boots, I've got a pair of lace up ones tucked under my desk in work. I have left the office, fairly late on a couple of occasions wearing heels and walked down Victoria Street to the station. I had a good reaction to them from the staff in New Look, so much so that the next time I called in in male flats, they asked me where my nice shoes were. Another thing I want to try is busking in heels. Busking was my big confidence boosting - comfort zone stretching thing a few years ago. Combining that with heels would be a buzz, I don't know what it would do to the takings or my personal safety, being able to run with the money is one thing and looking after the fiddle is the other. It would be interesting to see where I came on my score of best to worst ever takings for an hour.

Today I went up to Trafalgar Square to see the Ashes celebrations. I went with a colleague and didn't wear heels. Had I done so I'd have had a slightly better chance of seeing something! I popped into that shop (it would have been rude not to) and unfortunately the silver satin boots in a 9M which the staff said were size 6 had been sold. Who bought them?!!!

Good Morning everybody, Crotchhiboots, sorry I haven't got a digital camera. I'd really like to be able to post some pictures of my purchases, they certainly would add a lot to my posts. I'm on a bit of a budget at the moment. The time's come to take seriously the concept of having so much money and it's got to last to the end of the month! I've just re-mortgaged to buy a house in France, which is going to restrict me to £5 boots. Heelson, the shop I mentioned is called Chockers, it's on the south side of The Strand, between Charing Cross Station and Trafalgar Square. A lot of what they have in stock is rubbish. I went back there Wednesday (I'm a bit behind with my posts) and tried on the pair of silver satin knee boots I tried the day before. The shafts weren't big enough to look good over trousers. I might go back again and get them though - not today though, It's going to be cricket in the canteen! Nothing else to report about last Wednesday's excursion apart from running for a bus in 4" heels isn't such a good idea. The next day I saw a pair of red 3" courts in my local market Strutton Ground, for a fiver. I approached the lady who runs the stall and she greeted me with "I know what you want" to which I replied, "You got them just for me" I didn't try them on, too near the office, which was a shame, because they're really too tight. Serve me right! I'd better stop rambling, that train's not going to wait!

Thighbootguy: Like Dawn and I'm sure most of the members of this site, I look forward to your stories. Keep them coming. I'm beginning to understand your soliciting of opinions, not that I wear thigh boots outside. But when I wore my 4" pointy stilletto boots in the office for half an hour, when I was working late with my boss and a few other people on the floor I just had to ask him what he thought!

Hi guys. I had a great little excursion today. Last night I had a train disaster and didn't get home until after 1pm. I didn't take my boots with me and wore old levis and socks. I bought some knee highs on the way into work, but then considered that my courts would look daft with visibly old levis with oil stains from my bike chain that hadn't completely washed out. But by lunch time I was ready for a bit of shopping. I decided to check out a shop I'd seen near Trafalgar Square. I didn't change my shoes or put hose on as I wasn't intending to buy just look. The shop had the usual rubbish most of which was £5. I spotted a pair of black suede lace up knee boots with a 4" stiletto heel size 9M,

I presumed that is American sizing and tried the one on. The foot fitted but the shaft was a little tight, but my jeans were quite thick and I reckoned wearing hose and thinner trousers they'd be fine. I asked the assistant to buy them and after a few minutes she brought another pair back to the counter. Size 6 she said, that's the only size we've got. I decided to try them on again - they were ok, they'd got 6 & 9 mixed up. I put both on tucked my jeans in and laced them up. I stood up to go to look at them in the mirror and a lady in her late 50s who was waiting, said "They're nice, what are you going to wear them with? and then went on to say "You look amazing in them" I thanked her. Compliments from complete strangers are quite gratifying. All the time one of the sales staff looked as if she'd never seen a bloke in heels before - perhaps she hadn't.

I walked back to work in a happy mood through St James's park thinking how lovely London is. When I got back to work there were very few colleagues and the few that were there didn't notice my very large boot box. By the way they only cost a fiver. They had a pair of silver satin boots in my size for the same price, but the shaft was too narrow for my thighs - shame.

Gentlemen Try before you buy - it's the only way. Well it's the only way for me and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Well, Dave didn't mention my heels the next morning (friday) and hasn't mentioned it since. I went out for another little trip on Friday lunch time wearing the same pointy toe stilletto boots, this time to the Kings Road - again without incident. I saw one of the secretaries that I know from another of our buildings - "oh dear" I thought, but I didn't get any reaction apart from "hello". You get a better reaction from sales staff when you're wearing heels, like they think you are serious about buying something. Which is a fair assumption as you already own one pair of heels that they can see. In Pied de terre the assistant tried hard to sell me a lovely pair of pink pull on calf boots, they were 55 down from 186. Had £55 been a matter of no consequence I'd have walked out with them and the other pair in size 38 for Mrs. F, but unfortunately I have to look after the pennies. I'm hoping to get out in some heels tomorrow lunch time, this is getting addictive!

Forgot to mention I had a wolf whistle from someone on the opposite platform at Embankment station today.

Two short stories both vaguely relevant: I was going into my local station one morning and a young man in working clothes looked down at my feet and back up again with obvious contempt on his face. No - I haven't got heels on, no - my nylons aren't showing - oh I've got socks on - that was it, I'd left my cycle clips on! There's so many things that ignorant people cant accept. I was just finishing a successful lunchtime shopping trip - received compliments etc. when whilst walking along Fulham Broadway underground platform I heard " oh my god" behind me. Here we go I thought and looked beind me to see three small boys with a camera phone. What they were photographing was a pigeon that had no feet and was walking around on his stumps - poor thing.

I had a little shopping trip in Banbury with Mrs F on the way home from the weekend in Shropshire, not in heels unfortunately. In New Look I spotted and bought a pair of kitten heel wellies, for a fiver I just had to have them. They're surprisingly comfortable and quite fetishy. Today we went to Leather Lane market. I put on a pair of pointy toe 4" stiletto ankle boots with the zip up the back when I was on the district line (it's getting too easy). I didn't get any reaction whatever - apart from Mrs F when I met her. She was a little uneasy as she'd just seen a colleague. There wasn't much in the shoe stalls, although I saw another guy get lucky with a pair of faith wedge sandals. It's surprising how many men you see buying heels! And why not too. Another first for me was trying a ladies blouse on in a street market, shame it didn't fit - and the one I did buy looks much better on Mrs F than it does on me - so it's hers. I didn't want to take my boots off, but at about 6.30 pm when there were only about four people on our floor I put them back on. I worked for another half hour or so without my boss Dave noticing, this is no good I thought so just as he was leaving I said "what do you think of my boots". Dave's gay and very stylish and I was pleased with his reaction, " Oh my goodness, very snazzy - especially with the trousers. I can't wear them - I once wore 2" heels on a marble floor and slid all over the place" I'm wondering what he's going to say to my colleagues tomorrow. They've already noticed and complimented me on my 1 1/2" wedges. This may not be the place for it, but if anyone fancies meeting up for a quick hour shopping at lunch time pm me. I don't want to put this on the heel meet board as I don't want to organise anything as it could be a lot of hassle and I don't have many weekends free or much leave left.

(he was either thinking it was weird I was wearing ladies boots or thinking how brave I was! ).

Smudgeur Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:29 pm Post subject:

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Any more London shopping exploits to tell us about? I did check the Next sale in a couple of outlets, but nothing decent left in a size 8UK (42EUR)

I go shopping about once a week - a couple of weeks ago I had my next courts in my bag but didn't find a quiet place to put them on. Oxford St tube station had a few thuggish looking people hanging around so I thought better of changing in public. Shame - also the end of the sales didn't have anything worth buying. I'm sure I spotted a fellow male heel wearer in Dolcis Oxford Street. Had I had my courts on I might have introduced myself. He was browsing the new stock quite intensely.

That's the preamble to yesterday's shopping. I was determined to wear my pumps - next's size 41 is small - they're more like a 7. At least they're snug. So I put them on on the district line and changed at Westminster. I didn't recon on the metal floor in the interchange. I was so noticeable click click click - then I clocked a short haired young man in a replica football strip - isn't it funny how people of my age associate short hair with anti-social behaviour?!

I had a fairly uneventful browse up Oxford St from Bond St tube to Marble arch and back to Victoria on the bus. I didn't want to take them off, but sat on the back seat of the bus in the centre.

I had a strange double take in Selfridges I noticed the eyes of an assistant move back and forth to my feet about four times as I passed.

There was nothing to spend my hard earned cash on. And a major disappointment I was expecting to go back to a really cheap clearence shop where I'd bought a couple of tops for a fiver - one for me and one for mrs f - but it was closed - I suppose it was a closing sale. I had to content myself with buying her a pair of trousers in H&M although I said they were for me.

I expect I'll be out again -

Well I got along to New Look and bought Mrs. F a pair (in black) - on the basis that it's better to give than to receive, and I'll get a lot of pleasure seeing her wear them. Fortunately she was delighted with them - certainly more delighted than had I bought myself another pair - and they look stunning on her. Not much more I can say apart from thank you Wheels for your post and picture.