fashionablefun

I recall once I was wearing 4" stiletto boots with long jeans, while stopped in the middle of a downtown crosswalk awaiting the light to change. On the opposite side was a young man with a surprised expression looking at my footwear. As the signal changed and I started to walk forward, I saw him pull out his phonecam and click a picture. I was headed a slightly different direction, but came within 10 feet of him. No further exchanges between us occurred, but I've often wondered if his photo turned out and what he would ever do with it.

I bought these at Aldo’s. I went in to the store last winter and saw two pairs of boots that I was interested in. Both of them black, tall boots, both with a stiletto heels. I asked to try them on in a 10, but one of two I couldn’t even get my foot inside and the other was too tight for comfort. The female sales associate said larger sizes were available on their website and I could return them to the store if they didn’t work out. So I ordered both pairs online. When the boots came in, I decided I only truly liked the pair you see here. I thought it might be interesting to wear my preferred boots back to the store as I returned the unwanted pair. I did so and while there, proudly pointed to the pair I was wearing, explaining that I was keeping these. The two female sales associates seemed to think nothing of the situation, but a male sales associate was fascinated by my footwear. Though he never said anything, he followed me around the store, looking at my feet the entire time and was still catching glimpses as I left the store and strolled into the shopping mall. They’re a Euro size 41. They have a 4-inch heel, but the outsole gives them a more androgynous appearance. Here worn with Seven jeans, T-shirt and black jacket.

Thanks for the nice comments. I’ve got more (quite a few more, actually).

This is a heeled loafer by Bandolino, black, size 11, with a rounded toe, worn here with a suit from Express. The round toe gives it rather normal appearance from the front, although making a rather small footprint. I like the look, though. I’ve worn these shopping at the mall and even sat down with crossed legs, allowing everything to be easily observed. As is typical, however, nobody seemed to notice.

The winter before last I was obsessed with a desire for a low-heeled boot. I found these at Nordstorm department store. They’re a Stuart Weitzman, black, ankle boot, with an unusual splayed heel shape. As I often do, I saw them first but came back on another day to try them on. When trying on shoes in the store, I prefer to choose my outfit for the day, appropriate for the shoes I’m interested in. I figure it’s unusual enough for the sales associate; I ought to try to make the whole outfit work together. I came back to Nordstorm wearing the same pair of long dressy trousers shown here. I got the attention of young, attractive female sales associate and asked if they had them in a size 10. She brought them out and I simply said, “I’d like to try them on”. She helped me do so, but they were a little tight, which is often the case with size 10’s for me. But inasmuch as larger sizes are not always stocked, I like to start with a 10, because sometimes they work. The sales associate said she’d be happy to order me in a 10.5 or 11, without obligation and I could come back later. I said, sure and gave her my phone number. A couple weeks later she called and they were in and I went in and tried on both sizes and walked out with the 11. The interesting thing about a shorter heel, as I think Kneehighs pointed out once, is that they actually show more so than a higher heel. But their a nice alternative to 4 inchers.

Stuart Weitzman

Here’s an easily worn ankle boot, Candies, tan, size 10. The square toe and block heel make them pretty innocuous, in my opinion. On the other hand, I was wearing them in an American Eagle clothing store on one occasion, when a teenage female asked me the “Are you gay?” question. To which I responded, “No, why do you ask?” She said, “Oh, I don’t know, I ask a lot of people.” I was certainly going to act as if everything was absolutely normal. We just went on with our mutual shopping.

These are a good choice, when I want something fashionably heeled, but not stilettoed (is that a word?). They are pointed, with a nearly 4 inch heel which is thin, but not chunky, but with an outsole. I wear these most anywhere. Not long ago to lunch with a relative. Of course, not even noticed. They are Candies brand, black, size 10, purchased at Macy’s a couple years ago.

I thought a photo on my vintage Vespa would look cool. These are a pair of Nine West high boots, with a center seam in front, (not really visible in this shot) as opposed to numbers 1 and 6 (which are both Nine West ankle boots without a center seam). These are about 3 years old and an early move away from the chunkier styled boots that were more popular before (which I still have, but don’t wear much).

Here’s a little action shot of something Heel-D might like: a pair of flats from Nordstrom (house brand), red, size 11. I remember wearing these to lunch last summer, when someone sat near me and introduced herself, saying she recognized me from another occasion she saw me with someone she knew. Her unusual outgoing personality made me wonder if she was going to say something about my footwear. But she didn’t. I suppose that’s only normal.

Although I’ve previously posted these first four photos in the Freestyle Fashion thread, I decided to start a new thread with numbered pictures. I’ve shot over 20 photos of my footwear collection and decided it would be helpful to reference each with a number. I’m posting a few at a time, as I get them ready. Inasmuch as I’m interested in the total look, I’ve shot photos that show how each shoe or boot coordinates with the rest of the outfit. Some I’ve mentioned before on the board and I’ll link back to my original posts when appropriate. I’ve worn everything you see in public many times, although I mix them up with other genderless footwear.

Nine West ankle boot, blood red, size 10.5, bought about 1.5 years ago. I mentioned the purchase in this post:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=74451#74451

Also talked about these same boots in a post about shopping for jeans:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=74731#74731

My attempt at walking ‘catwalk style’ in the same boots:

Antonio Melani (Dillard’s house brand) tall boot, tan, size 10, 2 years old. I posted an interesting exchange about these boots when I visited my dry cleaner here: http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=85659#85659

Also mentioned these same boots in a post about eating out in a fast-food restaurant:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=72897#72897

Here’s the kind of thing I wear anywhere, with anybody. Banana Republic ankle boot, black, size 10, about 3 years old

This is a new purchase, Nine West stiletto pumps, dark brown, size 11. I shot this photo just before wearing this exact outfit to an outdoor shopping mall Saturday evening: Seven jeans, a white blazer from Express, white knit shirt and the pumps. I’m little less confident wearing pumps than boots, but I’m getting better. While walking up and down the length of the shopping mall I thought about Kneehighs recent video clip. It was about the same time in the evening and there were a lot of people around, but no one was actually paying any attention to what I was wearing. It would have been fun to see a video of me. I stopped outside a new women’s shoe store. I was interested in going in to see out what they had, and perhaps generate a comment on my own footwear, but I chickened out when I noted the number of male shoppers inside the store. I’m more confident with females. I came back again later, but the store had closed by then. The whole time, I saw only one person, turn back to get a second glance at me. I also wore this same outfit to lunch the other day, which I mentioned in an earlier post:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=110271#110271

These are another pair of Nine West ankle boots, size 10.5, black, same model as the red boots in photos 1 and 2. I’ve worn these out and about many times, including to the hairstylist mentioned above, more often with jeans, but occasionally with dressy trousers as shown here. I previously spoke about these boots in long post about shopping in a high-end SoCal mall:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=84925#84925

And again while standing in line at Wal-Mart:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=78746#78746

Here’s a casual outfit with a pair of plain cowboy boots, exactly as I wore to work last week: Bakers brand, tan, size 11. Bakers is the women’s shoe store found in many malls. I tried these on in the store as I generally do when shopping for footwear. I was debating between these and a pair of stiletto cowboy boots. The female sales associates recommended these. Although perhaps not as high fashion, I like them and can wear them anywhere. I also mentioned these boots in an earlier “Good Comments from Women” post about a visit to my hairstylist:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=105703#105703

Loved the video clip, Kneehighs. You looked like a natural. After watching it, I immediately decided to slip on my new pointy 4" Nine West stiletto pumps and went to lunch at Quizno's. I was wearing Seven jeans, a new white blazer from Express and a white knit shirt. I strolled into the restaruant like I owned the place, stood in line to order with a lot of people in front and sitting all around. I got the food and chose to sit at the high tables with stool seating to provide a better view of my heels to anyone who looked my way. Of course, no one did. But I enjoyed it and was certainly motivated by Kneehighs video.

Kneehighs: Thanks for the compliments and of course, I've always been around, I'm just a lazy poster. You're right, the jeans are Sevens. The center crease is a dead giveaway. CB17: Yea, I've always loved red too. Those aren't the first, nor probably the last, pair of red footwear for me.

Over the last year and half, I’ve been slowly shooting photos of my footwear collection. Inasmuch as I’m interested in the total look, I’ve shot photos that show how each shoe or boot coordinates with the rest of the outfit. It seemed logical to post them in this thread. I’ve got over 20 that I’ve shot and actively wearing. I haven’t got them all ready to post, but I’ll do a few at a time. Some I’ve mentioned some of them before on the board and I’ll try to link back to my original posts, if I can find them. I’ve worn everything you see in public many times, although these aren’t necessarily everyday attire. I mix these up with everything from Pumas or Converse ‘Chucks’ to the Franco Sarto 'Bocca' Loafer and the Edie Bauer pointy, low-heeled boot that I first learned about here. Here’s a few, in no particular order:

Nine West ankle boot, blood red, size 10.5, bought about 1.5 years ago. I mentioned the purchase in this post:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=74451#74451

Also talked about these same boots in a post about shopping for jeans:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=74731#74731

Here’s my attempt at walking ‘catwalk style’. I don’t quite have it down:

Antonio Melani (Dillard’s house brand) tall boot, tan, size 10, 2 years old. I posted an interesting exchange about these boots when I visited my dry cleaner here: http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=85659#85659

Also mentioned these same boots in a post about eating out in a fast-food restaurant:

http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?p=72897#72897

Here’s something I anywhere, with anybody. Others, I’m more discrete. Banana Republic ankle boot, black, size 10, about 3 years old

I saw a guy at the drug store last week wearing boots with at least 3.5 inch heels. They were a very thick, chunky stlye heel, but fully exposed under (not very long) jeans. He was fashionalby dressed and at ease in what were (at least to me) obviously women's boots.

I went to my hairstylist last week. I've been going to him for many years and often wear something fun. I've done everything from Franco Sarto Bocca flats to stiletto kneehigh boots, but this time I wore girl's cowboy boots, together with jeans and a jacket. The boots are simple, plain, tan leather without decorative stitching, but have a 3.5 inch heel. It's a cowboy style heel, but consideralbly higher and a bit narrower than men's. Though I had rarely even elicited comments before now, I was hardly to my seat when the young female assistant came up to me saying, "Let me see your boots". I showed them off and she said, "I love those". My stylist simply said, "I don't think I could stand alll day cutting hair in those." The discussion was over, but what discussion there was, seemed positive.

Thats probably why our board member from Cali calls himself "fashionablefun", speaking of which, where have you been fashionablefun?

I'm still around, although I'm a much better reader than I am a poster. I'll try to do better and yes, that is how I look at fashion.

Heel-D--great post at the TFS! You emphasized the right points in yours post: the fashion aspects of wearing heels and the non-sexual aspect of wearing them as well. stilettogirl84 even came up with some recommendations, which is great. It shows that the public is developing a sincere interest in the idea of men in heels.

I absolutely adore the bottom row, middle two recommendations she gave.

I likewise loved the same two boots and in fact immediately posted the question asking the name of one of the two boots. I was ready to buy them. Unfortunaely, as she pointed out in her answer, the size range wasn't quite big enough. I think Zappos does a pretty good job of selling all the sizes the manufacurer makes, but unfortunately not everyone makes above a 10. (And I only need a 10.5 or 11.)

I just ordered two different Aldos boots, size 11, from their website, after first trying on size 10 in the store. They were too tight and the sales person suggested buying online to get the larger size. They've arrived, but one pair was still too small, so I retuned one pair and kept the other. I kept the Majori kneehigh boot, black, back zipper, 4" heel, with a slightly western sole that makes it both stylish and easy to wear out and about.

Tight Levis: The jeans are indeed Seven, low rise, boot cut, dark wash, women's version. Thanks to all for compliments. I've got more pix, just got to get around to posting.

Following up on the story that begins this thread, I finally bought a pair of pumps, although not at the high-end stores I was shopping at out of town. Just the opposite in fact. I went to the Nine West outlet near my town and bought a pair of tan colored Bandolinos pumps in size 10 1/2. I'm not as comfortable wearing them in public as I am with a boots, even though many of my boots look much the same -- at least when standing or walking. I've worn the new Bandolinos to lunch, dinner and walking in the downtown area and on at least one occasion in the exact same outfit you see here. No observebale reaction on any occasion. We'll see if I get more comfortable with him. But of course we're getting into boot season now and I've got plenty more to choose from in that category.

I have a fun thing going with the young women who manage the dry cleaner/laundry I visit regularly. They’ve commented on my fashion before, so I always try to make it worthwhile. When I dropped off the most recent batch, the young woman said, "cool shoes" (actually they were boots) when I stepped out of the car. It’s a drive through establishment and I have a small, two-seater sports car. The women usually come out to greet drive-up customers and, with little room inside the car, I keep the clothes in the trunk, which requires opening the car door and getting out of a low-slung seat for access to the rear of the car. It provides a clear view of footwear. When I returned to pick-up my clothes, a different young woman (not the one assisting me) said, "I like your boots." I was wearing my tan Antonio Melani western-inspired, stiletto boots with a 4-inch heel. I simply said, “Thank you”. Interestingly, she then asked, "Are you a rock star?" I laughed and said I just like fashion. A few moments later, after transacting the payment, she said, "Yea -- you are a rock star." I said, OK, if you say so, hopped in the car drove off with a smile on my face.

When I'm out-of-town, my confidence factor goes up. Though I regularly street heel in my own city with all my footwear -- when I'm out-of-town any reservations about what I wear, where I go and who I might see are pretty much abandoned. This past weekend I was in Southern California on business. Friday was work-related, but Saturday was all fun. I wore my Nine West black stiletto boots with dark Seven jeans, and a T-Shirt under a black suit jacket. I think the suit jacket, paired with the heels, gives a more coordinated dressy look, while the jeans and T-shirt provide a casual contrast. I first wore the outfit to the complimentary breakfast in the hotel, then clicked my way across the lobby, checked out of the hotel and headed to the rental car for a trip to one of two high-end malls where I had planned to do some shopping. I first went into Nordstrom's, where the half-yearly sale was going on and was very crowded with people. I have bought a number of shoes from the women's shoe department at Nordstrom's before, with helpful, unconcerned sales associates, but with the sale going on, it was a mad house and I headed into the mall instead. Though I have a preference for boots, they're not as appropriate for summer wear as for winter, so I was on the look-out for pumps. I've purchased pumps only infrequently before, but due in part to the experiences of others here, I decided to look for some. I all ready own one pair of Stuart Weitzman boots, so the first place I stopped was a Stuart Weitzman store, a small high-end women's shoe boutique. I told the female sales associate that I was looking for a classic pointy heel, in black, as a Summer alternative to the boots I was then wearing, which I pulled up my pant leg to display. I picked up a possible selection, which she pointed out was last year's model and she recommended another that had just arrived. It was a fashionably current-looking, suede leather, black pump, 4" heel, but round-toed instead of pointy. She said that round toes were going to be very popular this fall and although it wasn't what I was looking for, she seemed so excited about it, I thought I should try them on. I'm closest to a 10.5 in a women's shoe, but wear anything between 10 and 11, depending on the fit, in part because size 10.5 are not as common. She only had a 10 in stock, but we tried it on and the fit wasn't bad. She complimented me on how I walked in heels saying she couldn't do it anymore (though she wasn't very old). I kind of liked them. The round toe makes your foot look very small compared to pointy's. But I didn't like the price -- $295. I've paid $200 for women's shoes before, but not $300. I told her I had to think about it. She checked her computer and said she could ship me a size 10.5 and gave me her card and a Stuart Weitzman catalog and said to call her anytime. In parting, I said, "You probably don't get many guys shopping here for themselves." She said, "Actually we do". Next I went into a Jimmy Choo boutique, the famous women's shoe designer. At Weitzman's, there weren't any other customers besides myself, but at Choo's there were a couple young asian women shoppers in addition to the two female sales associates. But with the positive experience I had had previously, I went in undeterred. As it turned out they didn't have a lot I liked except my perennial favorite, boots. I thought the decimal point was in the wrong place on the first pair of boots I picked up, but on second glance, I decided it was correct -- they were a pair of brown ostrich leather, pointy toed, stiletto heels for $3,925. Though I liked them, I thought it a bit disingenuous of me to actually to try them on, so I opted instead for another slightly more-down-to-earth pair on sale for just $350. They didn't have them in black I asked for, but she brought out the brown which I tried on instead. She asked what brand I was wearing and when I said, "These are just Nine West", she said they looked good. (I think she meant "Looked good anyway".) While there, I never even had a glance from the other shoppers and just a friendly smile from the other sales associate, but before I left, she said, "If it would be more comfortable for you, you're welcome to come in sometime before we open up and try on anything you'd like without others around." I said I appreciate the offer and I'd let her know. I wandered around the mall for awhile and found another pair of boots that attracted me in the window of a women's store called St. John. The first to approach was a male sales associate, but he quickly retreated, and soon a female showed up and asked what size I took. Before I knew it I had on a truly beautiful pair of tan leather ankle boots, pointy, with a 4" stiletto heel. I really liked them, but they were another pair priced at $295 and besides, I was actually looking for pumps anyway. I looked around Macy's, saw some nice Franco Sarto's I liked, but not in a classic pump, checked out a couple other stores and then headed back through the crowded Nordstrom's store. Later, I had lunch at a Boudin's Sourdough Bread restaurant, wandered through Neiman Marcus and an outdoor shopping plaza, all the while in my stiletto boot heels with very few glances and certainly no comments from anyone. I think when you walk with confidence and style, there is little that looks out of place. Though I never made a purchase, I had a lot of fun.

Kneehighs: Any significance to the new avatar? New preferences in color, style or jeans or just tired of the NYC skyline?

Regardless of measurements and conversions, I rather liked the look of the heels in the photo. I'd buy them and wear them -- they're very similiar to what I all ready do. It would also be interesting to have a conversation with someone wherein you say, "as a matter of fact they ARE men's shoes".

Unlike most of the posts to this thread (and for that matter, most of the posts in general, lately) I am a big fan of boots. And those are very fine indeed, the color in particular, compared to the more common black. They deserve to be worn outside, incidentally, certainly when it gets colder, and with that color, probably even now.

Kiltsrgr8: I'm curious, inasmuch as you freely wear what you want at work, does that mean you outside-of-work choices for footwear are the same? That is, when you're shopping, out for entertatinment, with your wife, your children, do you wear the same as you do at work? Does your family accecpt your footwear choices the same as your fellow employees?

This is funny because I did it just yesterday. I was at Wal-Mart and ready to pay for my merchandise and noted two young women rolling a full cart toward one of the cashiers. One of two had on stiletto boots very much like what I was wearing. I chose their line despite a shorter line right next to me. I even wondered if others would wonder why I didn't go over to the shorter line at the next cash register. But I persisted; partly in hopes that the young women ahead of me might note the similarity of our footwear and comment on it. Alas, she didn't notice. Even after I tried to position myself for the best view. In fact, I don't think anyone noticed in the whole store. Oh well. My jeans were long, but that's the look I like.

You're right Driver8, I checked, and the Nine West boots I bought are not on their website. I suspect it's due to the fact I purchased them at a Nine West Outlet Store and are probably a discontinued style not available at standard locations. I'll get a pix taken and posted soon.

I agree with Kneehighs on the importance of being dressed well with heels that compliment the entire outfit. I wore my Nine West blood red leather boots (actual color name: City Red, model name: Alejoo) while shopping a few days ago at a small men’s and women’s boutique clothing store. I was trying on pair of dark, low-rise, boot cut women’s jeans. I was wearing a red sweater with a white shirt; both very fashionably styled. The female store assistant had helped me find the correct size jeans and suggested alternates I might like. I walked out of the dressing room with the jeans on, heels clicking all the way, to ask the female sales clerk a question. Sometimes what is not said is just as revealing. She looked down at my feet and commented that the jeans were a "perfect length" (which they were). Of course, what she meant was that the jeans were a perfect length for a guy wearing pointy-toed, red boots with 4" heels. (I didn’t end up buying the jeans, though I liked them a lot. They were a $190. A little too steep at this time of year.) The point, is that with complimentary, fashion-forward attire, the heels project an image of progressive fashion, not feminine fashion and are well accepted. I live in a medium-size city in the Western United States. I don’t think my fashion choices are any more, or less accepted here, than anywhere else. I think it’s more a matter of confidence and fashionable style.

A few days ago I drove out to the Nine West Outlest store to see what was new. All their boots were on sale at 50% off. It's a self-serve store. I picked out a pair of black stiletto ankle boots in a size 11 and slipped them on. There was only one other customer and the young female sales clerk in the store at the time. The sales girl casually asked me how they fit as I walked over to the full length mirror to check them out. I said they were a bit loose and so she pulled out a size 10 for me to try on. I tried them on as well and though they weren't bad, they were a little tight. Knowing that I all ready owned two pair of black stiletto ankle boots, I picked up the same boot but in red color, to which the the sales girl said, "The red boots are really hot and I've got them in a size 10 1/2." So I tried them on and they fit perfectly. The color isn't a bright red, more of blood red. The sales girl repeated how "hot" she thought they looked on me and I was sold. I bought them and wore them to a restaurant that same evening. When the young female server brought me my order she looked down and said, "Your shoes are awesome, where did you get them?" I told her, "Nine West, just this morning" and she repeated, "They're awesome". I said "Thanks". I wore them to the mall for a little Christmas shopping as well. No more comments though.