Van

For a long time I was like many others on this board. I didn't dare to ask. Then one day, i just asked something like "is this model available in 43 ?" ... the Earth didn't stop revolving, the Police wasn't called in, it was not mentioned in the local paper that a guy has been buying ladies shoes for his own use ... I was just a customer like any other and was treated like any other customer. Wish I had dared twenty years ago ... For those of you who live in small town, villages, I understand you may feel uncomfortable. Perhaps the shop assistant has been selling shoes to your mum for the last thirty years and has known you as a toddler. In that case, just hitch a ride to the nearest city. But never look ashamed or weird. You are just buying shoes i.e. pieces of leather (in the case) or plain plastic. Nothing illegal. So don't wait twenty years as I did. Cheers Vanessa

Hi Geoffrey, I'm from Brussels but usually living a few thousand miles further south. I've worn heels several time in Holland, especially in amsterdam and Rotterdam and never encountered any negative reaction. Belgium's getting pretty cool too. It's getting more and more accepted that one dresses his own way. People don't care much. Enjoy ! Vanessa

Halleluyah !!! I did it, I did it , I did ... I got rid of the awful comfy loafers ... but ended up with cowboy boots when i was dreaming of cowgirl boots ... what's the next step ? Vanessa

Hi Highluc, for once i must disagree with you, as a fellow belgian. I am also quite skeptical about some of our govt's position on the issue of the palestinians that have been granted asylum. But the last thing Belgium needs is a Belgian Pim Fortuyn. We've already have quite enough political weirdos around. I do not believe in populism (PF was a right-wing populist, i wouldn't call him a fascist), there are unfortunately no simple solutions to extremely complex questions faced by our "post-modern" society. I don't have the answers but neither have Pim Fortuyn, Le Pen or Philip Dewinter. In a way, i'm glad to be a few thousand miles away (i passed thru' Brussels last week, between two planes. I enjoyed it though). Best regards, Vanessa getting very close to getting rid of her awful comfy loafer

Firefox wrote "I quite like the strong export continental lagers. Kronenbourg, Stella ..." I'm always surprised to see brits considering Stella as some kind of superior brand while in Belgium it is one of the most common "pils". I'm not too keen on pils anyhow ... you're gonna smile but i'd rather have a pint of bitter ! Cheers Vanessa

Ain't nothin like a real GUEUZE ! The real thing is getting difficult to find, only a few artisanal breweries in the Pajotteland region west of Brussels. It is the only place were this very strange beer (which tastes more like an old cider than beer) can be brewed. Try to find a bottle of Oud Beersel or a bottle of "Mariage Parfait" (brewery Frank Boon in Lembeek near Halle). Also recommended is the Gueuze Girardin, brewed in one of the last farm-brewery in St-Ulrich Kappele (near Groot Bijgaaarden). These beers are among Belgium's best kept secret. You won't find them in bar. Usually the best thing is to go a buy a crate directly in the brewery. If you like a more fruity taste, try the Kriek or the Framboise (fronm the same breweries, not the commercial stuff). A votre santé ! Vanessa

Azraelle wrote :

I guess these jeans I just recieved from http://www.talletc.com don't qualify as "unisex" but I'm wearing them anyhow

This pair does really look good.

What kind of top / shirt would you wear with them ?

By the way, jeans are "unisex" by excellence.

I always buy mine in the ladies part of the store. The fabric (due to the use of Lycra) is much more comfy. I also light tube jeans and men's tend to be baggy.

Cheers

Vanessa

Firefox wrote : "Women's shirts can be exactly the same as men's apart from they have the buttons on the other side. It comes from the time when the lady of the house never dressed herself, so to have a garment that was easy to put on one's self (for a right handed woman) was a considered lower class thing". Hence my preference for woman's shirt / blouse: i'm left-handed Cheers Vanessa trying to get rid of her comfy loafer <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Vanessa on 2002-05-25 08:24 ]</font>

Anybody with a nose stud ? Vanessa

Brussels, last week. Stopped at a shoeshop selling end of series, just opposite the Anderlecht market. Nice moroccan sale lady. Asked her if she had anything in size 43, she looked around, said that it was not that common although she does occasionnally have, showed ne a couple of pair in 42, including a nice pair of high heeled sandals that I tried. I must say that i was wearing pumps and nylons, which made it clear that i was buying shoes for myself She just took me as a customer like any other. Same experience in Madou (metro Station), a end-of-series shoes outlet managed by a very friendly african lady. We had a friendly chat, she even recommended a shop in the neighborhood. In the same shopping area I tried ôn and bought a pair of very feminine black slacks. The girl (moroccan) was quite friendly, showed me different models and let me tried them in the cabin, she even advised me on some adjustment to do to lengthen the pants foot slightly. On Saturday, i paid a visit to Chausseur Jacques, "le roi du talon Haut" , close to Place de Brouckère. They're having a huge sale before renovation. It might sound unbelievable to those who never did it but buying high heels in Brussels is as simple as buying a pair of sneakers. Be relax, cool and polite. Cheers Vanessa

Hi Guys, i've been away for a while. About pierced ears, I had my ears pierced in the mid-seventies. I started with the left lobe and ended up with two piercing on each lobe. I stopped wearing earrings everyday when it became too common, football players etc started wearing them. I occasionnally wear earrings, usually when in a more feminine mood. I love loopy earrings. Cheers Vanessa

- casual : A jeans skirt, pantyhose and black pumps (4"). - work : a nice two-pieces ladies suit with skirt, hose and matching shoes. - summer : shorts, high heel slippers. I've worm skirt occasionnally and I like it but it's difficult to wear skirt + heels unless one wants to look TV/CD. But this is only a dream ... Vanessa

From a message I got from them, it seems that they are considering making users pay for the facility. It seems they don't make enough money from advertisements. People don't bother to click on sponsors' add. Who ever do that, anyway. I'm afraid there 's gonna be less and less room for freebies on the net. It seems to be the trend. Vanessa

Hi Gals, I ment the old GUYS board. That's the place with all the glossy pics and slick comments. You're welcome too. By the way, for those who don't know me, I'm a guy despite the nickname. I won't go thru the story why i took this name, it's a long story. I was considering changing to BMFKAV (boardmember formerly known as Vanessa) but what's the point. Cheers Vanessa

Hi Guys & Gals of all persuasions, don't give up the old board. Lotsa actions going on ... rock and roll stilettos, disco pumps and seventies platforms, glam rock, disco diva and psychobilly freaks. Gorgeous photos, some even in color !, clever comments, good humor and philosophical insight. DON'T MISS IT. JOIN NOW. Vanessa

Sorry guys, but this new board is too complicated and by splitting the messages under so many different topics, the fun and spontaneity of the old board have gone. There's no more exchange, no more conviviality. I know the old one has drawbacks, but this one has much more. We loose touch with each other. I'll drop by, once in a while, I guess, if I have enough time, otherwise you can always find me (and Emery and some other old geezers) on the old board. See you overthere. Vanessa

Hi, as i just wrote somewhere else, try the shops in african, afro-american or afro-caribbean part of town, these (often very good looking) ladies do like sexy heels and have larger feet than their caucasian counterparts (although the Dutch are getting taller and bigger with every new generation). That's were I usually find a decent choice in size 43. Regards, Vanessa

Hello everybody, good to see that most of the old faithfulls are already on the board. Well I made it too. But still i find it a bit tedious to go thru' all them forums (fora ?) and so many different topics. Can't we keep it simple ? It's much more time consuming than the old board (especially that I do not have the most efficient connection, as I am again in the other side of the world in a so-called "emerging" economy). Can't stop progress, i guess. Cheers, Vanessa

Hi Guys, Second posting today, wow, i'm getting used to this board faster than I thought... I'm size 43. 9/10 UK. Forgot how much in US. Limited choice but as I travel a lot I manage to find interesting shoes ... Long ago I discovered that African , afro american, afro/caribbean (and dutch) ladies tend to have larger feet. I usually check shoe shop in "black" areas when in Amsterdam, London, NY, Toronto or Jo'Burg ... Have fun ! Vanessa

first try on the new board ... Well I do like music a lot ... no, I'm addicted. When in heels (or when wearing feminine attire) ... Julie London, Peggy Lee, Joni Mitchell (Both sides now), 40's torch singers, quiet storm and silky soul ... Sylvester ... sophisticated stuff essentially Cheers, Vanessa