jmc

Well, I'm geeky enough to get into this. Actually I'm borrowing from another member who posted a more detailed analysis somewhere around here. I'm going to simplify it a little by leaving out the math. You don't actually have to do all of this, just conduct it as a "thought experiment".

Stand up straight, barefooted on a level floor. Place a mirror at your side so you can see your leg and foot in profile. You will notice that your ankle is somewhere between 1 and 2 inches higher than the ball of your foot. That's standard human physiology, that's how we're put together. If you draw a line through your ankle joint and the ball of your foot, that line will make an angle with the floor and the line rises from your toes to your heel. Now there are two major joints in our feet -- the ankle and the ball of the foot. (There are many other joints as well but for the sake of simplicity let's just consider the two.)

Now put on a low heel -- say a one incher and observe your foot in the mirror again. Your heel and ankle are an inch higher and your gain in height is about an inch. That line between the ball of your foot and your ankle is steeper now -- effectively you have rotated your foot upward about the ball by some angle.

Now put on a mid heel -- like a 2.5" and try it again. You have rotated your foot upward even more. 4" heels, 5" heels and above just increase the effect. But as the heel height increases your foot gets closer and closer to vertical and the actual gain in height is less pronounced. As the angle of that imaginary line between the ball of your foot and your ankle goes from 75 degrees to 90 (full vertical) and possibly beyond, your gain in height is actually very little -- probably less than 1/4". If the angle goes past vertical (extremely high heels) you will actually lose height -- even if you can fully straighten your legs.

We probably get the most height increase with the first 2" of heel height. After that every increase in heel height gives us less total height. (But they still look better.)

That's what economists call the "law of diminishing returns".

. . .The only reaction (that I've been:w00t2: aware of) was when I was wearing open-back Bastad clogs (still my choice in daily footwear since 1979). . .

The standard wood-soled open-back clog with the 1.5 - 2" block heel is pretty much unisex!

Definitely insecure.

Wife tried them on but they don't fit. They do run very small and couldn't even get them on. Oh well, they'll have to go back.

That's the breaks when ordering online. I send 'em back more than half of the time.

Gina, you must spend hours selecting a pair of shoes to wear!

Lovely as always.

Ordered these for my wife today. Just checked out the site again and I must have had the last pair. Tell me what you think.

Looks like Lady Luck smiled on you!

Bad news everyone: Heels went out of fashion in 1965!

Out with those ballet flats...

http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=82694521nd5.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=18669857oc4.jpg

Edit: I stand corrected, it went out of fashion in 1960!

This one's a full page 56k=no

http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=91462291tz9.jpg

I'm starting to think the prognosticators who predict the demise of heels are only slightly less accurate and numerous than those who predict the end of the world!

I have a question for everyone. Should I be concern that I have been complimented that I have better looking legs then some women? I enjoy the compliment tremendously, but I'm a guy. What's your take?

I wouldn't worry about it. There is not much difference in the musculature and physiology of male and female legs -- women just dress theirs up prettier. Shaving the fur helps too. Given the same treatment, a guy can have very nice looking legs, in fact we tend to have even better muscle tone and definition.

You said you took pleasure in the compliment, I would too.

I always find interest in the historical perspective. While reading this article I cannot help but think "The more things change, the more they stay the same!" Even back in '73 when the prevailing fashion was somewhat un-inspiring, certain people wanted to look hot and their wishes were met.

I'm glad these guys are having fun...but they're defending us?

Well, I cannot remember ever hearing of jets crashing into each other on the ground . . . so let 'em have some fun. All the military people I've known are well capable of getting serious when they have to.

Hmmmm. . . think it's back-to-school time for me!

[moderator mode] Tahira has been banned from HHplace. (See the "Banned Users" flag under the name.) Don't expect an answer. [/moderator mode]

. . .but it is good to see them again.

Pumps are definitely special. The distinctive shape, the rise of the arch and the curves of the shoe around the foot all make for a classic look. Some guys can wear a pump and look great and on a woman, pumps are virtually always stunning. That said, I don't think pumps work on me -- I'm just the wrong shape. This is one of the reasons I don't think women have anything to fear from us guys "stealing their limelight" by wearing heels. Women will always be women and they're just prettier than we are.

i am new to the site, and would like to know if it is ok to ask this on the ladies site? . . .

You posted your question in the correct place. Out of respect to the ladies, we do not allow men to post in the "For the Girls" forum, no exceptions -- even questions directed at women.

Thanks jmc,

I didn't mean to cause a fuss.

I haven't found my feet on this site it seems. I apologize for posting in the men only threads. I didn't know there were men and womens threads.

I'll make sure I read the site instructions before I put my foot in something else.

You did not cause a fuss -- you're doing just fine. It was your thread that was invaded.

You, as a female, may feel free to post absolutely anywhere you please. We don't let guys post in "For the Girls" but no such restriction exists the other way. The reason for this is, in the past we have had major brouhahas because our female membership felt their forum was being invaded by guys. We value our female membership and they deserve a little bit of space of their own.

Guys, on the other hand, are generally delighted when a woman -- any woman -- visits their area!

As a moderator, I must always applaud a review of the guidelines.

HHplace is a little bit different -- although we are an international site, a lot of our members have actually met. There is a lot of community and camaraderie here. Just browse around, you'll be fine!

Welcome to HHplace, Amanda.

As you can see, I did some clean-up on your thread. The material I removed is still around, it has been moved to another thread.

Once again, welcome. I, for one, find your contributions quite interesting.

Bankofdad,

couldn't you find somewhere else to do this other than my "Hello" thread?

[in moderator mode]

I have split Bankofdad's stuff into its own dedicated thread and then moved that new thread into the "For the Guys" area because it's not really a "Hello. . ."-type thread.

[/moderator mode]

. . . now back to your regularly-scheduled programming. . .

Under "User CP --> Edit Options" there is a box labeled "Date & Time Options". You can set your time zone here and the HHplace software will keep you in sync with the rest of the world! That time message derives from this setting, if it's correct then you don't have to set anything. We do think and talk about things other than heels here. That said, I'm wearing a really nice pair of boots as I write this! Make: "Preview" Style: "Mathes-Lea" Material: Leather upper, man-made sole Source: Nordstrom Rack They have a 1/2" hidden platform under the toe. (Just had to get things back on the subject of heels!)

Hemming trousers that are too long is the tried and tested solution. Society seems to have forgotton the magical world of alterations to garments so that they actually fit properly. . .

Probably a symptom of our "throwaway society".

. . .

Ok after some consideration.... no I'm glad where I am. . .

FL

If I remember right, flies only live a week anyway.

Isn't there a High heel in the Monopoly game....or is it a normal shoe.

It should be a HH shoe...looks better in the game. . . .

FL

It's an old boot -- looks like it has had some serious wear. Not a heeled boot either . I agree, a nice high heel would look so much better!

So far I have escaped it -- knock on wood (raps knuckles sharply on top of head. . .)

There's only one word for that:

Clever!

. . . but some people actually like that frayed out / worn / muddy / dragged-through-the-dirt look!

Wuornos, please be careful. The term "queer" is considered to be offensive by some people. Clearly you are not among that group. If you want to talk about heeled shoes, this is the best place on the Internet to do that. But we have to constantly guard against having overly graphic discussion taking over here. High heels do have a connection with sex and sexuality but we want to keep the discussion "clean" here. Many of our members are already having enough of a challenge wrapping their heads around their desire to wear high heels, graphic discussions of sexual practices will drive them away before they even register. Members who decide they want to get into detailed discussions of sexuality will not have difficulty finding it elsewhere on the 'net. As far as the male/female gender options, we do have a "for the girls" forum and we have learned "the hard way" (!!!) that women do not tolerate having their forum overrun by guys. We don't have a lot of female membership, we value the women who do participate here and having them around is worth giving them a little bit of "space".

skirt