Ionic Posted September 17, 2003 Posted September 17, 2003 I found the forum 10 days or more ago and since then have been reading rather more of the archives than I really have time to spare! So much to read, so much to learn... After tens of years of secret and solo collecting and use of heels, I can say I almost wept with relief and a heap of other emotions on finding such a wonderful community of people around the world of all ages, both men and women, the whole range of orientations [straight, gay, cd, all variations in between...], wearers to watchers and most importantly a kaleidoscopic rainbow of heel preferences. All this and such mutual respect and understanding apart from the occasional impatient retort. Perhaps the best, who are mute here, are the tolerant and understanding partners of those 'differently enthusiastic' (pardon me Yamyam...), they give me hope. As for me, I veer towards the mid to upper end of the age of the board members here, from 'The Big Smoke' here in the UK. One contributor, forget which topic, referred to himself as 'TV' from the knees down; I identify with that and find it an apt description although I must say ordinary stockings don't stay up on their own and the overall effect is much improved if, at least sometimes, attention is made from waist down. So I don't go on and on too long here, I'll fill in the details about other questions in their respective topics all around the forum as time goes on. Being just the wrong side of size UK8, it has always been "so near yet so far" with access to high street fashions, the result being an aging and aged collection of ill-fitting heels that can't be sustained on for long. My experience with the specialist large size fetish/tv/cd suppliers to get two or three items between 5" & 6", mostly a good number of years ago, has been rather mixed and I'll discuss that in the proper threads. Obviously this market has expanded with the net and things are easier. I've never been too happy buying in public high street shops and would only ever pick from a rack and rush off to pay; never had the guts to ask 'what is the largest size you do this in' ~ such a give away! When stilettos returned after the 1970s platforms finally died off, the highest 4.5 inchers rarely appeared above a size UK7 but I did once manage to find some higher. The one or two 8s I found later were a help but no panacea. In recent years only picked a pair of clumpy white platform slingback sandals off a sale rack which rather fortunately came pretty large for their size. I tried some old style mail order catalogues that did have some wide size 9s in frumpy styles and were poorly shaped but 3" was the absolute maximum I found. One was better, a burgundy 2.5" court, which I've used a lot as a 'house shoe' to be able to spend extended time in at least a small heel. As for wearing outdoors I'll say more in other threads. In the 70s I had a few pairs of Swedish style clogs which were acceptable wear of the era (but look pretty stupid now) though I still have a couple; I also had some low platform slip ons/(US slides) carefully preserved since the late 70s (2.5" heel + 1.25"sole) which have been my comfy slip-ons under my PC table in recent years ~ that is until they disintegrated at the beginning of the year when I stumbled over! ~ I use the clogs now. Also late in the 70s I got a pair of grey coloured men's Oxfords with a 3" block heel and no platform at all, there was party at the time which was an excuse to wear them. I occasionally felt able to use them out but they are very small fitting which is a shame, and now the adhesives have rotted and failed and so I'll go and ask advice from Firefox & Co. over on the repair and mods. department... The good news is I have had rather a change in outlook from over a month ago when I determined to find a better range of 8/9s that can be worn with some semblance of pain-free normality. I've been grazing eBay all year for books, maps and other bits and pieces I collect and then I suddenly discovered the eBay heels category. Plenty of time later to tell you about all the successes and failures / the bargains and overpaying bidding wars. Suffice it to say, size UK9s are the most competitive! If there isn't yet a topic thread called "whinge zone about your own foot size/shape", then there soon will be... I've set my avatar (if it works!) to one of my best UK eBay trophies, a non-patent high gloss gloss ankle strap 3.5" block heel dolly/court in a wide size 9 which I'm wearing now as I type. Paid far too much but they are high quality Spanish made. This is one of my new 'house shoes' to get in as much 'training' time as I can at home, they have room to spare and I can take a 3.5" heel for an extended period. (The description is to cover for when I change the avatar picture.) - [25/9: due to popular demand I add further: the UK eBay seller said they came from the 'Empire catalogue' whatever that is. Actually I was the first or second underbidder on a last minute bidding battle and I got them through a second chance offer at my final bid level which was itself rather too high. So the seller either had more to make a fat profit or there was funny business going on]. Finally, you must be wanting to know why the handle Ionic? I thought about heels4ever, ezheels, etc. but they are too close to others already registered. Well my passion is for anything historic ~ on architecture or archaeology etc.; give me some ruins to climb around and photograph rather than get bored and burnt at the beach on holidays! Of all the classical orders, the Ionic column is the one with the most slender proportions, the finest flutes and the most stylish scrolls on the capital ~ so what more could you ask from a heel? Hope to join you at the London meet if I'm free; I should have suitable, if modest, streetware by then. Hugs to everyone /Ionic. /I
bootbaby Posted September 17, 2003 Posted September 17, 2003 Hi Ionic, I'd say welcome, but hey, I'm only a newbie by a week or so. Must say it's nice to see other joining daily. Honestly, I used to sympathize with the Doric order (brute simplicity), but later adore the leafy Corinthian. Bootbaby
Bubba136 Posted September 18, 2003 Posted September 18, 2003 Welcome, Ionic. Glad you found us. Here's looking forward to making your acquaintance and reading your posts. Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public.
Yamyam Posted September 18, 2003 Posted September 18, 2003 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! Obsessed is such a strong word. I prefer to think of myself as "differently enthusiastic"
Firefox Posted September 18, 2003 Posted September 18, 2003 Welcome to the board, and I hope you have much fun here. We often get together in London. The next time is Sat 4th October http://www.hhplace.org/hhboard/viewtopic.php?t=1789 You can post in that thread, or back here, or send me a priavte message and I'll tell you what occurs. Hope to see you soon! You don't need to wear heels for one of our meet ups if you don't want to. but I guess most people do.
Dawn HH Posted March 10, 2004 Posted March 10, 2004 Ionic:-) I really like that style of shoe with the 3.5" block heel and wished many times that I could find a pair for myself. I am referring to the shoe pictured in your Avatar. If you ever find a place to purchase them, I would appreciate you letting me know about them. Welcome to our board and enjoy posting with all of your new friends. Cheers--- Dawn HH High Heeled Boots Forever!
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