Yamyam

Hello and welcome to the board! I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Prefect

It is amazing, isn't it. I keep thinking we should show the children, but I can guess what there reaction will be. But they'll never see it again, so perhaps we should drag them out there for it.

delectable

Welcome indeed, Ionic. I'm glad to make your acquaintance, and I found your comprehensive introduction a great read!

those 'differently enthusiastic'

Feel free to use the quote! I'm always amused by the times that comes back to me - it was an off-the-cuff remark I made ages ago.

'TV' from the knees down

I rather think that was me again! I'm glad to see that someone else feels the same way as I do on that!

As for advice on being just over a UK8, you actually have lots of choice on the high street. Apart from the ever-faithful Brantano, who go up to a UK12 in some styles, many of the major retailers have bigger size ranges. For instance Barratts and Next are quite good for size 9s, and Evans go up to a UK10 in some styles too. You'll find a comprehensive list of retailers at http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?t=1025&start=40.

I'm not sure what I'm doing about the heel meets, but I hope to catch up with you soon. In the meantime, put your best foot forward!

Will be going out tonight for the first time in 5'' heels with 1" platform. Very chuncky boots. Will wear them under black leather cargo pants and jacket. My heart is pounding, but it is finally time.

Just wishing you the best of luck, verngentleheels. Oh, and please tell us how you got on with them!

I actually went out in public in heels yesterday! Bought a pair of loafer style shoes with heels of about 2 1/2", not real high, but they were womens heels. After trying them on in the local Kohls store, I went to the car and changed into a pair of black trouser socks and slipped on the heels. I went back into the mall and walked through Sears and JC Pennys with them on. I don't think anyone even looked, and if they did, I didn't make any eye contact with anyone, so I don't really know if anyone notices. Hey, they weren't 4" stilletos, but they were obviously higher heels and more fem looking than a mans shoe! I was nervous but loved it. I actually walked around the womens shoe section at Sears with several other women trying on shoes at the time!

Cool! Well done, RonC. The first time is the hardest! That sounds like you've made a good start with some sensible shoes. I'm looking forward to more successes for you

condescending

Well, those are pretty impressive shoes. I must admit that (even) UK law has stated that employers aren't allowed to discriminate like this. That is, if a woman is allowed long hair, heels &c, then a man is too. So I think you have a case here. Although I know that primary schools in the UK do not allow heels at all on girls, so presumably the same restriction applies on boys. However, I don't know what the rules are for older children.

Buying and trying them on at the store. But I have no problems on that now. I have yet to ask a actual shoe sales person and trying them on in front of them. But most of them do not have my size any way.

I've not had a problem with this for a while. I still find a big enthusiastic greeting from a bloke when I'm over the 'women's' side is a bit off-putting. But otherwise, I go in there and go for it. I'm lucky in being UK8, so I can buy off the shelf. Part of the fun is in having the conversations - all of the female assistants i've encountered have really helped me, and i've had some fantastic shopping sessions!

Great picture Laurie, welcome back, sorry about you and Chris and absolutely LOVE those Mary Janes!

She does love those shoes, you know. She's mentioned them a few (dozen) times already. I feel a shopping trip coming on.

I believe the drive I have is a Quantum Fireball, 13 GB. It was a free upgrade because they were out of the Quantum 10GB size that my sister had taken for her system the month before.

Ah well, there's the problem. Your karma's run out on your free upgrade

motor

I have worn them a couple of times, but I don't really wear open-toed shoes ever, so it seemed a bit odd. I used to wear an ankle chain a lot, but that was me having a small rebel TV thing under my suit a few years ago. I haven't worn it much since. Balius, I was amused by your comments about 'women liked it, men thought it was gay'. I think you've managed to sum up most of the board there

Well, starting with something subtle, and where no-one knows you, sounds like a good idea to me. I don't want to ignore Azraelle's comments, but I don't think that that's the only thing that will ever happen. After all, Julietta is quite happy with me and my heels on the street. OK, I don't know your wife, but I can make some guesses. First, I'm guessing that this whole heels thing is a bit of a shock to her system. But she seems to have taken it on board, and if she's letting you wear them in the bedroom, that's great! From now, I think you need to do some talking to her, and explain how you feel. I think it needs a huge amount of diplomacy. And some things may never happen, and you just have to decide whether you'd rather have the family or the shoes. I'm sure you know which one you'd rather have. She might compromise - she may let you wear them when she's not around to start with, then her natural curiousity may come in to play Overall, tho', I believe in honesty. I think it's best to talk about what you want, listen to her side of the situation, and negotiate something that works for both of you. But don't go into it with the intention of pushing her into it, because that's not fair. This whole post should have 'I think...' and 'In my opinion...' all over it. I don't know what's best - I only know the things I've done wrong and done right, and this is my best advice. Good luck, and I hope it works well for all of you.

Just out of curiosity, which have you found harder and needing to get more courage. Buying your first pair of heels or wearing your first pair of shoes in public?

As I wrote elsewhere, I used to think I was a TV, so I was used to buying all kinds of stuff. The first thing I ever bought was a dress . Since then, I've got used to buying all kinds of stuff, but remaining firmly in the closet.

I'd say overall that taking my heels outside was way harder than buying them. After all, if you're just buying them, you can pretend they're for someone else. But if they're on your feet - well, you can't claim you put someone else's legs on by mistake that morning!

So, I'd say that wearing them is harder, but once you've done it, you'll never want to go back!

Actually, the Goth thing was a big thing when I was at University. I was a little gothic myself, but at Uni it was quite a big thing, so I just carried on with my basic style, which wasn't really any tribe, but just me. One thing I regret is that I didn't make more of the freedom I had at Uni. If I was back there now, knowing what I know now, I'd use that freedom!

Well, they're certainly quite subtle, and if they've given you the confidence to start street-heeling, then go for it.

I've been out and about in my Chelsea boots quite a lot of late, including three days out working, and a walk over to a local pub last night. These are about a 2.5" heel, but nice and easy for all day, and certainly I didn't attract any attention in them. I'd say that these are a good place to start.

For me, this is going from an occasional trip round a strange town to more and more everyday wear. I didn't think I'd ever manage to go to work in heels, but here I am.

Welcome, sscotty727! I have a young child too. To be honest, I don't wear heels around my young one, because I don't really know how to introduce the topic. He's okay with it, but I don't want him teased at school or anything over it, so I'm careful. My life partner is happy with me in heels, and indeed encourages me to go further and higher than I'd do on my own. But then, I am the luckiest man in the whole world! It's never easy with children, but at least you've had *that* conversation with your wife. She may come around, you never know. Or she may not - and you're stuck on your own. But at least you told her, rather than let her catch you. As for wearing heels outside - I started with plain black boots, and went from there. I don't wear my 'pole dancer' 6" heels outside - but I do wear my 2" Chelsea boots outside, and I'm debating inside when to go for the 3" wedge boots. It's about slow and steady, I think. Best of luck with it all. YY

Thanks, Laurie!

Besides, what the heck causes damage to a machine so it makes those kind of noises? I haven't dropped the machine or anything.

Like shoes, hard drives wear out, sadly. That's all there is to it.

love (before Julietta gets there )

I'd really like to come on over! It depends on many things... but if I can be there, I will!

I've been married, and now I'm with a wonderful life partner. I honestly think a relationship can only work if the people in it agree on what they want and where they want to go. And the only way you'll work that one out is to talk about things. Why ask us? We don't know your partner. Please, talk about these things. You might find that it doesn't work out - but you're more likely to find that you can come to an arrangement about what you want to do. And that's my advice.

JeffB, I'd say you're a trendsetter! I wore my 2.5" Chelsea boots on-site for a couple of days, but I wouldn't dare do what you do!