bluesman

Marc, that sounds like a compromise I could live with, esp. since boots are so in style right now. I get to travel a good bit for work too, so I have plenty of opportunity to indulge. I gotta think my wife will be accepting: in a prior thread I related how she got me a pair of 5" black pumps, long ago in our wild n crazy daze. And nice boots in your av! Y'know, Red, I'm really starting to take that no-big-deal outlook on things. I just feel really comfortable going out in moderate/stylish heels. Those are becoming sort of second nature. I continue to be amazed at the lack of attention the general public pays to what's on my feet, amazed only because I had been sooo convinced that everyone was looking ! Sounds like you have a most understanding partner.

SkirtedUK, that's a great story. You really accomplished the 'what if I'm forced to wear my heels for a long time' scenario. And from across the pond, I must say the Brit phrasing is so descriptive, I felt as if I was wandering around the countryside in the fog myself! In my thigh boots and mini, of course.

Hello All Work has me traveling again, this week and next. Woo-hoo, lots of outside heel wearing. And, lots of unmonitored, unfiltered time to post on this great forum. This is why my posts seem to come in bursts. Don't want anyone to think I'm flooding the forum! Now, if there were just any sole-mates in north-eastern Ohio, US, we could hook up.

Up until recently, all of my public heel wearing had been with 4" or 4.5" block heeled boots. Every time I wore them I was very self-conscious, even with long pants and in agreeable situations. I was always aware I was on an "excursion", even though no one ever commented. I've now acquired a pair of 3" block heeled boots, and despite their somewhat curved heel I feel like I'm wearing just any old footwear when I go out. No more hiding my feet. It's really weird - it's like after my 4" boots, I feel these lower heels are almost invisible. Perhaps its just my confidence level...or the positive comments of my co-workers. Anyone else experience this relief, for lack of a better word?

red shoes How'd your wife get to the point of "tolerating" you heel wearing? Did you have a discussion, were you discovered, or something else? I'm curious, as I hope to approach my wife in the near future about my heels thingy. Keep up the outside work! I agree with most of the other comments - heels with current styles are the way to go.

Chantaltv Those are really, really, great boots, and a good story too! I wish we had some local retail stores here where I could browse & try on boots like these. Yes, I've tried to zip up thigh highs in the car while wearing jeans...I ended up pulling my jeans down around my ankles, then working the boots up over my legs and finally pulling the jeans back up. What we go thru sometimes to heel in public, eh?

Well, here's a good reaction for you: Wore my black No Boundaries block heel boots into the office today. Nothing dramatic: 3" block heels, 3/4" plats, rugged sole design, under black jeans. These look a bit like they could be Docs, or Harley. Really pretty subtle. But, first time I've worn women's boots into the office. Usually there's only a couple other people in, all women. Today, however, a couple of extra ladies in. I stop by the Office Mgr office to say "morning", and due to network issues the sound of my voice brings several others out into the hall (I'm the IT guy). No place to escape, so I make the best of it. First comment is "Cool shoes!", and we proceed into a discussion about them being my stompin' boots. They want to know if they're boots or slides; let's see those heels...etc. Compliments all around from the 40-50 year old ladies. Wow! What I thought was going to be total embarrassment turns out great!

A couple of comments about hiding: Back in my early teen years, for my birthday I asked for & got the book "How to Hide Almost Anything" by David Krotz. Great, fun book filled with ideas for using the dead spaces in homes & buildings. Made my step-dad suspicious, though, and one day he went searching for the pot he thought I was hiding and instead found a pair of 4" patent knee-highs. Had a hard time explaining those - would have been easier had he found my stash! Presently I keep most of my street boots in a gym bag in the trunk of my car. I pass it off as being full of the computer stuff I need for client's sites. Another box with my 6" THBs is in my office, sealed & mixed with lots of other boxes.

Good show! And I really like your style choices.

Just like all jeans, its about body shape and fit. I've found that Old Navy ladies jeans work quite well for me, and the Longs are just the perfect length. When I bought my first pairs I wore them around & got no comment until my 6 year old dtr said something to me about my "girls pants". Imagine that, at 6! Since the wife does the laundry I thought I'd be up front and tell her, since she was bound to notice new pants, then the size tag that said 14 Long instead of the usual 38x32. Told her the low rise doesn't sag in the butt as much; modeled a pair for her and she agreed.

Can't wait for the Alias return in January. Why is ABC torturing us?!?

Yes, just coming out of lurk-mode has imparted a great sense of relief. Thanks to the internet I knew I wasn't alone, but actually sharing lends peace of mind. That's why I feel the need to clear the air at home - secrets aren't a good thing in a relationship. But in the meanwhile, thank heavens for business trips!

Worst reaction (& really the only negative one ever): A young couple apparently caught just the right view to see my 4.5" block heels under boot cut jeans. I happened to look over my shoulder to see them giggling and looking back at me from the other end of the aisle. Best: the dozens of times I've been street heeling, dining in restaurants, shopping, strolling thru hotel lobbys, etc., without anyone noticing. New Category-Most uncomfortable: Post 9/11 airport security, the security guy saying "nice stacks" (I guess a reference to the plats or heels?) and being told I had to remove them, and having to put the 3" Mudd boots on the belt in front of other travelers!

To Alex & others worried about their first outing, my suggestion is to do a little reconnaissance. As you make your daily rounds, make note of the shops & places you go. Are they carpeted or hard floors? Are there lots of people coming & going? Can you blend in? Where are you comfortable? My first outings were to large retail stores like WalMart. Lots of activity, too many people to really notice details, and lots of racks, shelves, & aisles to disappear in. The hardest part was the large open areas just inside the doors. I'm not about attracting attention to myself, be it my heels or other attire, so I wear clothes that are in style and compliment each other. Hard soles & stillettos are out, at least for my public wear. Really, you'd be surprised how little attention people pay to what men are wearing on their feet. WE in this group pay attention because it is our nature, but the general public is mostly oblivious.

Well, Jim, Wicked, & Wine, I guess you could be on to something. At least it's a foot in the door (pardon the pun). She bought me those like 8 or 9 years ago, when we were newlyweds, still running to the bars all the time, being crazy, and pre-children. But, they ARE still buried in her closet... Couldn't keep them in mine, because as she said, someone might see them and wonder. Thanks for the encouragement. I think I'll let the holidays pass before I make any moves, unless the situation presents itself.

Well, been hanging around this forum and some others guys in heels groups for a long time. Thought it was time to add my input to the cause. I've been fascinated by women's heels for as long as I can remember; bought my first pair (white patent cheerleader boots!) back in the 70's. I now own 7 pairs, from THBs to my street heeling block heels. I'm fortunate enough that I get to travel a bit for work. Fortunate, in the respect that I get to wear my heels "out". For this I always wear one of my pairs of block heels with platforms, in black, and with pants cut in a long enough style to look appropriate with the boot style. Frankly, no one notices. It's that simple. Grocery stores, filling stations, restaurants, hotel lobbys. I never get a second look, and these are 4+ inch heels. I get to do this for several days every month. Of course, if one is into getting noticed in their heels, that's cool too. I'm more about the way the heels shape my legs, give my 42 year old behind a little lift, and the fact that the men's styles can be sooo boring. The wife isn't on board for all this yet, but there's hope. When she worked outside the home, she always wore heels. I used to kid her when she'd whine about hurting her feet, so one Christmas I unwrapped a gift from her containing a pair of black 5" pumps. This was back half a dozen years ago in our "party" days, and I can remember several times coming home from the bars at closing time, and ending up in my heels dancing in the living room with her to some old Aretha. Anyway, I've bought several pair of womens low rise boot cut jeans to wear with my boots, under the guise of they don't sag in the butt as much, and again she's cool with that. I don't think I'll spring the 4.5" LEI stretch boots on her just yet, but I have a pair of Skechers Buckaroo on the way, that I might just use to break the ice. Well, that's prolly TMI for a first post, but here it is. I'll try to be a contributing member of the community.