Heelfan Posted December 16, 2003 Posted December 16, 2003 Guys! Do you notice something strange? None of the specialist manufacturers or suppliers doing heeled shoes/boots in guys sizes seem to do ANY chunky heels without throwing-in the dreaded platform! I've tried looking through masses of sites, America, European, Oriental and it's always the same thing. You either get: a) Platformless shoes/boots with stiletto heels. 0r Chunky heels with thundering great ugly platforms. but what you DON'T get and it's so FRUSTRATING is chunky 3", 4" or 5" heels with no platform for those guys who simply want to enjoy a life of plain honest-to-goodness street-heeling without the embarrassment of looking too ridiculous in stilettos or huge platforms. I find this universal omission in the range of what's available to be quite amazing and inexplicable! Have any other guys been looking for high,chunky platformless street-heels and noticed the same problem? (Obviously I'm only asking guys who share my problem of having larger feet that the normal ladies shoe shops are able to cater for). Cheerfully yours, Heelfan Onwards and upwards!
Bubba136 Posted December 16, 2003 Posted December 16, 2003 Perhaps you would get further in your quest if you emailed your post to the manufacturers. At least they can do something about your complaint. And, perhaps once they've been alerted to the situation, the rest of can also forward similar emails to make them aware there really is a male interest out here. I know I would if I had a list of email addresses to send them to. Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public.
Heelboykiz Posted December 16, 2003 Posted December 16, 2003 luckily im only a size 7.5/8 just now and i hope i stay that way so ;p being 15 has some up points hhaa
Robert Posted December 16, 2003 Posted December 16, 2003 Yes, I've noticed. You can get more platform shoes and boots with stiletto heels in size 12, 13 or 14 UK than wide heels with platforms in large sizes at least here in Holland. That must be the popularity of those shoes and particular the stiletto heel. I find it very frustrating because I like the wider heels more. I find it also strange that I found (ankle)boots in size 9 and 10 UK that they have a 3 to 3 1/4 inch heel and when I look in Holland for shoes and boots in these sizes they have heels of 2 to 2 1/2 inch maximum. A possible explanation is that Dutch girls and women are taller than English girls and women. But then I don't get it that English women have size 9 and 10 feet. O.k., that will be the reason I'd rather go to England to buy shoes with higher heels. Robert Boots, fascinating footwear http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/Boots_1956/
Ionic Posted December 17, 2003 Posted December 17, 2003 Funny you should post that message Heelfan, since I was just about to write to you for advice on the very same problem??? /I /I
Heelfan Posted December 17, 2003 Author Posted December 17, 2003 Hello Ionic (and all street-heeling guys)! Well, in fact things aren't actually QUITE as bleak and 'black-and-white' as I painted them. I deliberately started this thread to highlight the total and baffling lack of thicker-heeled non-platform footwear for guys available from any of the numerous footwear websites on the Net. However, I partially satisfied my own shoe-buying needs during 2003 by frequently popping in to check the stocks of my local Bristol Brantano, Evans Ltd. and Barratts. All three of these go up to size 9 or 10(UK) and all three include both slim and thick heels, the latter being more discreet for guy's public street-heeling of course. My collection had been thus enhanced this year by about ten or twelve pairs of platformless boots with chunky heels ranging in height from 3" to 3 3/4", and about four pairs of shoes with similar sole:heel configuration. But, I say I have been only PARTIALLY satisfied using this local-shopping strategy, because all three of these chain-store-branches are catering for lowest-common-denominator women and playing it "safe" by stocking no chunky heels of 4" and over. At least, not in the styles that go up into these larger ladies sizes. So, there's a complete and utter vacuum, both looking in local shops and on the Internet, when it comes to trying to find platformless shoes and boots with chunky heels of 4" and over. My favourite street-heeling heels are 4" to 5", with the odd pair of 5 1/2" now and again for added excitement. But can I find anything currently made or advertised anywhere in this big wide world? . . . . . . . . NO! Bubba, We've already tried pointing out this "Hole in the market" to three of our four UK fetish factories (Divine, Leatherworks and The Little Shoe Box)by visiting them personally taking examples, photographs etc. However, it's discouraging! They have convinced themselves that all guys want to do is to wear glitzy highly coloured 6" stilettos and platforms whilst locked in their closets and bedrooms. They are all so busy going hell-for-leather making these that they don't seem interested! So, what some of us are looking for falls slap between two stools. The heel-height is too high and exciting for the ladies' manufacturers to include them in their range in the ladies' shoe shops (in the large-sizes department), whilst the factories making the men's fetish footwear think the requested heels for street-heeling are too thick and unexciting! If anybody DOES spot what we're looking for, can they PLEASE post the source on this thread?. The requrements are simply: Shoes/boots with: Heel - chunky, between 3 3/4" to 5 1/2" high Platform - NO! Toe-box - Broad, 'masculine' (squarish or rounded, pref not pointed) Size - 8UK (41Euro or 9.5US) upwards. (smaller sizes already catered-for) Thank you in anticipation! Cheerfuly yours, Heelfan Onwards and upwards!
xaphod Posted December 17, 2003 Posted December 17, 2003 Sorry, guys, Chunky 4" heels went 'out' about two to three years ago. They were everywhere then. Yours truly stocked up and now has 5 pairs which should hopefully keep me going until the fashion comes around again. I've been thinking along these lines for a while. It's actually easier for guys to wear heels which are 'out of date' by a few years, because there's no established 'norm' for people to compare with. The number of times women ask me where I got my heels from and I have to disappoint them by saying I bought them 3 years ago must say something; it could be the fact that today's styles aren't quite so exciting. Xa
stellah Posted December 17, 2003 Posted December 17, 2003 Something like this? http://www.stevemadden.com/PRODUCT_IMAGES/ELITEE018.jpg Price: $68 _______________ HH forever!
Dr. Shoe Posted December 17, 2003 Posted December 17, 2003 but what you DON'T get and it's so FRUSTRATING is chunky 3", 4" or 5" heels with no platform for those guys who simply want to enjoy a life of plain honest-to-goodness street-heeling without the embarrassment of looking too ridiculous in stilettos or huge platforms. Oi! Are you trying to say I look ridiculous in my stiletto thigh boots???!!! LOL Graduate footwear designer able to advise and assist on modification and shoe making projects.
Thighbootguy Posted December 18, 2003 Posted December 18, 2003 I really do wear my stiletto heel thigh boots out and about. No platforms but 4” and 5” stilettos. Ridiculous is like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. I like my look, I don’t feel ridiculous, and nobody seems to care much anyway. I dream of a world where chickens can cross roads without having their motives questioned.
Heelfan Posted December 18, 2003 Author Posted December 18, 2003 No Dr. Shoe, you look great in your stiletto-heeled thighboots, and I'm sure Thighbootguy does too! It fact, Dr. Shoe, your the least ridiculous-looking guy in stilettos that I could possibly imagine. You just seem to "blend in" without anyone amongst the public giving you a second glance! No, I'm just talking about how I feel from time to time. I get plenty of bold occasions when I wear my 5 1/2" stilettos (see photo in "For Everybody" subsection "Rocky Horror Show", but there are other occasions when chunkier heels are less ostentatious and can be worn very happily. Also I'm posting this on behalf of the beginner street-heelers who are looking for something fairly discreet whilst they build up their confidence, so chunky heels will always have a place in the scheme of things. Stellah - thank you very much indeed for that Steve Madden link - great boot which I am keen to persue! However, can you please give me the link to the actual Steve Madden page with all the particulars of that style? (your link only gives a pic of the enlarged boot with no details whatsover). Cheerfully yours, Heelfan Stellah, Onwards and upwards!
stellah Posted December 18, 2003 Posted December 18, 2003 Stellah, can you please give me the link to the actual Steve Madden page with all the particulars of that style? Here you go: http://www.stevemadden.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/FASTSIZE11/ELITEE.htm?L+control+wphf6919+1071753125 _______________ HH forever!
azraelle Posted December 18, 2003 Posted December 18, 2003 Unfortunately they are only availabel in size 11. And yes I have noticed this dearth. I've almost given up my heel fetish because of it. "All that you can decide, is what to do with the time that is given you."--Gandalf, "Life is not tried, it is merely survived -If you're standing outside the fire."--Garth Brooks
chris100575 Posted December 18, 2003 Posted December 18, 2003 I love these! http://www.stevemadden.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/FAST/TANTRUM.htm?L+control+wphf6919+1071796808 Sorry - not really in keeping with the thread I just found them on the same site. Combination of late night and beer...
Firefox Posted December 19, 2003 Posted December 19, 2003 Guys can't wear heels. Their feet are not as flexible as women's so if they want a higher heel in their styles, a platform has to be added to reduce the lift. Ask any reputable shoe manufacturer... it's true!
chris100575 Posted December 19, 2003 Posted December 19, 2003 Did you have to tell us that FF? I'm going to have to get rid of all my high heels now that I know I can't wear them!
Slim Posted December 19, 2003 Posted December 19, 2003 Yep, men can't wear heels, thats what JJ or whatever his name is says. As for platforms I think they look big & bulky and draw more attention than a nice pointed toe stiletto. Each time I have tried them I have been disipointed.
genebujold Posted December 22, 2003 Posted December 22, 2003 Guys! Do you notice something strange? None of the specialist manufacturers or suppliers doing heeled shoes/boots in guys sizes seem to do ANY chunky heels without throwing-in the dreaded platform! I've tried looking through masses of sites, America, European, Oriental and it's always the same thing. You either get: a) Platformless shoes/boots with stiletto heels. 0r Chunky heels with thundering great ugly platforms. Cheerfully yours, Heelfan Hi, Heelfan! In the Fall, Payless caries a fair selection (about 5 styles) of chunk-heel boots without platforms in sizes up to 13. I say "fair" because I've rarely found more than one pair that fits well. This fall I purchased a pair of black, Lower East Side (model 26860) ankle boots from Payless. They have a 3-1/4 in heel, no platform, side zip, and a modern rounded toe (sort of wide, but not square). They're no longer on the market, but Payless has a couple other styles in sizes up to 13. If that doesn't float your boat, try Fredericks - they carry a line of 4-inch heeled leather boots in ankle, knee-high, and thigh-high versions. Rounded toe, and they're slender heels, but certainly not stillettos. Finally, there's always Pierre Silber, but I haven't checked his sight lately.
RobertB Posted December 23, 2003 Posted December 23, 2003 This fall I purchased a pair of black, Lower East Side (model 26860) ankle boots from Payless. They have a 3-1/4 in heel, no platform, side zip, and a modern rounded toe (sort of wide, but not square). They're no longer on the market, but Payless has a couple other styles in sizes up to 13. I have both shoes and boots by Lower East Side. They are amazingly comfortable considering the heel height. I have been unable to find the Lower East Side brand at Payless for the past year, as you mentioned, they must not carry them anymore. I love the silent soft heel they have. That style of boot would be perfect with a slightly longer and higher heel around 4 inches.
GrayLion Posted December 23, 2003 Posted December 23, 2003 Now I am envious! That's exactly the kind of shoes I am looking for! also what sizes does steve madden use? UK or US? and if it is UK they stop at size 10 - I have 10 1/2. But nice boots! http://www.stevemadden.com/PRODUCT_IMAGES/FULLTON207.jpg Bernhard
Slim Posted December 23, 2003 Posted December 23, 2003 US womens as far as I know, and some seem to run at least 1/2 size tight, if made in south america. Unless they are mens sizes, then us mens.
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