Yamyam

Well, made it to Cowboy boots. So, a bit taller, but still working on it. Time to go shopping...

I don't think I could. Like I've said elsewhere, I work for an ultra-conservative company, and any deviation from 'ultra-normal' would result in an equisitely hand-tooled P45 from head office. A man can dream, eh?

First time for me, I wore my 2" wedgies through a motorway service station. I went to buy a drink and then straight back to the car. I died of terror every inch of the way there and back, but it turned out OK. No-one batted an eyelid. Not long ago, I was halfway across a petrol station when I realised I still had my heels on . Oops. No-one batted an eyelid then either. Fortunately for me, the guy who read my name &c off my fuel card couldn't see my boots through the counter. It's all about confidence. Once you can fake that, you're sorted.

Perhaps most of us are jealous that you can claim you've got a reason .

Yikes! I'm not sure I'd go for the crumpled look, but there you are.

I think I saw some boot-cut men's jeans somewhere the other day, but I can't remember where.

Don't suppose anyone might know somewhere that might stock them?

I've no idea why I like heels. But I do like feeling of restriction and greater awareness of my body and how I have to move.

Love 'em. I have a couple of similar pairs. My total fave pair is like that, but a bit plainer, from Schuh.

How many times did I have to edit this ?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Yamyam on 2002-02-25 14:25 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Yamyam on 2002-02-25 14:26 ]</font>

I've just met a new SO. After plucking up the courage, helped by her showing off her latest purchase (how jealous was I?!?) I told her. Her initial reaction was "Oh." Since then, she's said she doesn't mind, as long as she doesn't have to see it at the moment. But who knows how things will change. She is mad on shoes too, and so my fingers are crossed . But whatever happens, I'm glad I told her.

Well, I'm an IT consultant, so I generally have to wear a suit and tie. However, I do have some sites where I don't need to. One place I was at said 'Wear whatever the hell you want', but even though I had my fave wedges with me, I bottled out .

But then, I need this job!

Good luck with the interviews, you lucky sods .

Up here in t' frozen Midlands, and other places in my experience, 'gay' is just a generic term of abuse, especially for anyone even slightly different. I have a (small) standing joke along the lines of "In the Midlands, a gay man is one who prefers women to football" . But no-one's ever shouted anything at me. Actually, given what I look like, the kind of people who'd shout abuse at me are probably trying to sort out whether to shout homophobic or racist abuse first. But as long as they keep quiet, I don't mind .

I've seen some like the Sophie Ellis-Bextor ones for sale in Schuh. I personally think they're terrible, but that's just me. (I also think Sophie Ellis-Bextor is a terrible excuse for a musician, but that's also just me )

Bah! Why is it that everything happens in London . I don't think I'll be able to make 27 April, but I'd be interested. Oh well, nearer the time, I'll see about childcare and stuff.

Well, if only this site had been here when I was off to university!

I have a slightly different problem, in that I have a young child. They're at an age where they will notice and comment, and likely tell lots of other people about it. I am separated from his mother, who sort-of knows about me and heels, but I don't really want it broadcast to the world. I've no idea what to do, so any suggestions are welcome.

So, while I sympathise with the 16-year olds, I'm in a predicament too. And this one's not easy either. I would say, tho', that it may be easier when you're younger. I nearly had a conversation with my parents at 17, but now that I'm rather older, I think the moment may have passed.

Like others would probably say, 'Go for it!' Actually, just like shopping, you may find that the reality is nowhere near as bad as the terror .

Now, if I can just learn to take my own advice .

I'd also quite like a pair of these. I have a couple of ankle high pairs, but knee-highs would be nice. I saw a pair in a shopping centre somewhere, but they only had a 6 left, and I'm an 8. Darn.

For online shopping, try http://www.schuh.co.uk/

There's a little zip up the side of most of my pairs .

On 2002-01-31 01:06, Calv wrote:

I think the place Francis mentions is the Kettering branch of United Footwear. Theres a big branch near me, in Coventry which is only a retail place but they do have a large range of styles, mostly only go up to a size 8, aprt from the fetish plats which go up to a size 11 or so. They have branches all over the midlands. Let me know where you're based and I'll find a branch for you.

Most stuff is imported from the far east and is pretty cheap (in price and quality)

I'm just west of Birmingham, so I'm about 35 miles from Coventry, but with Brum and the M6 in the way. Is there a web site link?

Ta.

On 2002-01-09 14:51, Francis wrote:

Quite often, though, I go to the local warehouse, where I can buy shoes and boots at wholesale prices. Distinct advantage of living in cobblers county (Northamptonshire).

I try them in the shop side of the warehouse and but them on the trade counter (they don't let you try them on in the warehouse)

Blimey - where's that then? Northampton is not all that far from me. Worth a shopping trip for something special, anyhow.

Name: Yamyam

Age: 0x20

Gender: M

Location: Midlands

Occupation: Computer Technician

Height: 5'8"

Weight: Too much

Shoe size: 8ish

What's your favourite heel style: Wedge or stiletto

What's your favourite shoe style: Ankle boot

Do you wear your heels outside: Yes (rarely)

What is:

(a) Your favourite heel height: 4"

( Your highest heel height: 5"

How often do you wear:

(a) Your favourite heel height: Most of the time I am in heels

( Your highest heel height: Occasionally

Do you wear socks, hose, stockings or bare feet with your shoes: Depends, usually socks or popsox, depending on how tight the boot is

Anything else you wish to add:

Oh, if only more shops went up to a size 9!

Well, I'd like to wear some trousers that would hide the heel a bit, but I'm struggling to find a style that will work. I bought some 33" jeans, which should do it, but the leg holes are too small, so I just look like I've crumpled at the ankles .

I know I should shop for jeans with my heels on, but if I was brave enough for that, I wouldn't need the longer trousers .

What's a chap to do?

Definitely had several experiences like that. I remember several conversations with assistants, all of whom were doing their best to help me out. At one point, a while ago, I was in Schuh, and I had one assistant finding a pair of popsox, as I had thick blokey socks on, and another suggesting an alternative style to the one I was trying on. Everyone, including one male assistant, was just helping me out as if this is something entirely normal and everyday. I've worst experience I've ever had is the stereotyped "completely useless" assistant, who will just take the shoes, zap the barcode, charge you, then go back to staring into space. But even that hardly ever happens, and I've tried all sorts! The secret is to go for it! Confidence is everything (once you can fake that, you're sorted )

I've got three pairs of wedges, one 2" and two around 4". I wear them outside sometimes when I'm travelling, but not all that often. I work on-site for a very conservative company, and any hint of not being normal would earn me an *immediate* P45 . If it wasn't for that, I'd go for it more.

Just getting up my courage! I have a couple of pairs of plain wedges that I plan to wear out. I'm having trouble finding trousers to hide them, so the few times I've been outside I've let the whole heel show. And I don't think anyone's noticed yet! But then, I'm a long way from wearing them all day. Perhaps when I find some longer trousers .

Yeah, the sizes do seem to vary. I've got some size 7s, some size 8s, and I nearly bought a pair of size 9s, as it was the only size I could get into in that size. I think it depends on how narrow and/or pointed the shoe or boot is. Wider styles are easier than ultra-pointed ones for me, as I've got slightly wide feet. But trying them on is so much fun I can't complain !

I find just going in, having a browse, and then buying what you want works. I've been giggled at once, and stared at once, but I've managed to buy loads of pairs of shoes without any other problem. I always go somewhere with female assistants, but apart from that, just go for it. I think if you look confident, people will just leave you. If you look suspicious, that's when people will watch you. Brantano is great, as is my local Bacon's. I travel sometimes, so I get to check out lots of different places. (But I daren't go in my local Asda, because that's where I do my weekly food shop!)

At the moment I'm getting into 4" wedgies. I've got a couple of pairs with quite a narrow wedge, and I'm just eyeing up a new pair with a wedge about 1 inch wide. I think they'll look a bit more subtle on the street. Roll on the sales