Mens Level Of Freestyling ?

[Pumps]

I'm just moving this discussion because, I'm surprised at the comments in this thread:

 

http://www.hhplace.org/topic/22082-new-experience-shopping-and-trying-i-was-so-happy/

 

Apparently some people believe that heels shouldn't be worn with mens clothing. A statement I find both surprising and disappointing. How many agree on this ?

[Rockbass19]

I do not agree at all. I personally coordinate heels with men's clothing, with a little eye make up, to create a very Rockstar-androgynous look. And it looks really good, too...

[mlroseplant]

I assume you are referring to Shafted's comment, which was originally in response to the question of whether discussion of women's clothing was discouraged or prohibited. While I certainly don't want to speak for him, I believe you have misinterpreted his comment. Since I agreed with his assertion, I will explain my thoughts about that.

 

I believe the quote was something close to,  "regular guys clothes just don't cut it with heels." The way I see this is not to say that a guy cannot wear guys clothing and high heels at the same time. What I immediately thought when first I read this was how I would never wear heels with my work bib overalls. Well, I guess I could, I can do whatever I want, but to me it would look quite silly. Same goes for your typical men's baggy shorts and jeans. It somehow or other doesn't look flattering at all. By the same token a woman who wears bib overalls to work would look quite silly if she changed into some stilettos after work while still wearing the unfitted and dirty work clothes. Same goes with sweatpants. I would never wear heels with sweatpants. OK, I'm a liar, I'm wearing heels with sweatpants right now, but I'm also wearing my bathrobe on a Sunday morning, and I would never actually let anybody see me this way!

 

I think that heels just look much better with more tailored and fitted clothes than what your typical men's casual clothes are. That's how I see it, and not that you can't wear men's clothes with heels at all. I think the statement was taken a little too harshly.

[Shafted]

I assume you are referring to Shafted's comment, which was originally in response to the question of whether discussion of women's clothing was discouraged or prohibited. While I certainly don't want to speak for him, I believe you have misinterpreted his comment. Since I agreed with his assertion, I will explain my thoughts about that.

 

I believe the quote was something close to,  "regular guys clothes just don't cut it with heels." The way I see this is not to say that a guy cannot wear guys clothing and high heels at the same time. What I immediately thought when first I read this was how I would never wear heels with my work bib overalls. Well, I guess I could, I can do whatever I want, but to me it would look quite silly. Same goes for your typical men's baggy shorts and jeans. It somehow or other doesn't look flattering at all. By the same token a woman who wears bib overalls to work would look quite silly if she changed into some stilettos after work while still wearing the unfitted and dirty work clothes. Same goes with sweatpants. I would never wear heels with sweatpants. OK, I'm a liar, I'm wearing heels with sweatpants right now, but I'm also wearing my bathrobe on a Sunday morning, and I would never actually let anybody see me this way!

 

I think that heels just look much better with more tailored and fitted clothes than what your typical men's casual clothes are. That's how I see it, and not that you can't wear men's clothes with heels at all. I think the statement was taken a little too harshly.

Couldn't have said it better myself. 

[Pumps]

I assume you are referring to Shafted's comment, which was originally in response to the question of whether discussion of women's clothing was discouraged or prohibited. While I certainly don't want to speak for him, I believe you have misinterpreted his comment. Since I agreed with his assertion, I will explain my thoughts about that.

 

I believe the quote was something close to,  "regular guys clothes just don't cut it with heels." The way I see this is not to say that a guy cannot wear guys clothing and high heels at the same time. What I immediately thought when first I read this was how I would never wear heels with my work bib overalls. Well, I guess I could, I can do whatever I want, but to me it would look quite silly. Same goes for your typical men's baggy shorts and jeans. It somehow or other doesn't look flattering at all. By the same token a woman who wears bib overalls to work would look quite silly if she changed into some stilettos after work while still wearing the unfitted and dirty work clothes. Same goes with sweatpants. I would never wear heels with sweatpants. OK, I'm a liar, I'm wearing heels with sweatpants right now, but I'm also wearing my bathrobe on a Sunday morning, and I would never actually let anybody see me this way!

 

I think that heels just look much better with more tailored and fitted clothes than what your typical men's casual clothes are. That's how I see it, and not that you can't wear men's clothes with heels at all. I think the statement was taken a little too harshly.

 

Yes, I know and as I already said I agree that heels look very different with various type of jeans. I was more surprised of JeffB's position and was wondering how many people think the same. Personally I would like to see men having the same freedom as women when it comes to mixing their wardrobe.

[Shafted]

Men already have the freedom. They just have to be willing to take advantage of it. Most just don't have the stones.

 

I will say that eye appeal is a must if you want to get a minimum amount of grief from others.

 

As I look about me at this very minute at all the guys here in McDonald's. If you slapped a pair of heels on them all would be grounds for a comedy show. They are not all dressed badly, but the clothes they are wearing would just look weird with heels. Fabrics used is also a big reason. Fabrics used in most of the men;s clothing appear to be of the lowest grade that fold and crease in weird places and bunch up in unsightly places.

 

As I said in the other thread, I also wear a mix of men's and women's clothing. Men's dress clothing can work well with heels, but the casual men's clothing, forget it. The fabrics are just too heavy and unyielding to work well with heels.

[skirtedvik]

I think that men's level of freestyling should be equal to women's - you figure it out yourselves.

[Puffer]

Quite a number of exchanges have been necessary on this and the other thread to clarify what was stated, implied or inferred.   If nothing else, we have learned (not, by any means, for the first time on this board) that loose language leads to confusion, or worse.

 

Taken literally, Shafted's original condemnation of 'heels + regular (normal) male clothing' can mean little else but that a man would look silly/wrong/uncool/freaky if he wore any type of heels with any clothing of a type or style conventionally marketed to and worn by men.   That is how I and others interpreted the comment but apparently not what Shafted meant; he had more in mind the sloppy styles of clothing widely worn by many juveniles - a narrow sub-set within the wide field of 'men's clothing' as a whole.

 

I always try when reading posts here - and certainly if responding - to try to understand and give full value to what others have written, and then to reply as clearly and unambiguously as I can.   We all owe it to others to communicate effectively and not to put obstacles in the way.   Nothing in life (including clothing!) is totally black and white - but going for grey is rarely a valid compromise and certainly should not be an intentional cop-out.   Food for thought, perhaps?

[mlroseplant]

I hope that we have all reached a new level of understanding. I really don't believe anybody ever intended to insult or alienate anyone, but it's good to have the discussion. But to reiterate my former assertion, if a woman wore the "Carhartt look," for lack of a better term, with heels, it would still look goofy. Heels, even casual-type heels, are still way more dressy than the Carhartt look. If I wore my men's casual loafers with my work clothes, it would still look goofy, wouldn't it? Carhartts are meant for construction work,  but it seems a lot of men wear them as everyday clothing. I think that is what Shafted is getting at, and I rather hope that is what JeffB meant also, when he referred to the "dreadful.  .  . jarring contradiction.  .  . [of].  .  .high heels with plain old men's clothing."

[JeffB]

I couldn't agree more. To me, the sight of high heels with plain old men's clothing is a dreadful, not to mention jarring contradiction. I wouldn't think of wearing anything BUT women's clothes with my heels.

Upon further review, I should've fully explained the rationale behind my comments more than I had to avoid any confusion on the part of Pumps. I should've stated that guys who wear stylish heels with baggy, bulky jeans (maybe with the cuffs rolled up) and mannish shirts is what causes the contradiction I mentioned. We've all seen that combination, maybe we've even worn same, it's like being half fashionista and half truck driver, it just looks unpalatable in my eyes. But then, that's my opinion and mine alone, we're all free to wear whatever we want, whatever we like, whatever makes us happy, comfortable and at ease. I consider the definition of freestyling open to personal interpretation, it's completely different to each and every person here, and that's the way it should be seen. If Rockbass19 wants to go for the androgynous look with his heels, good for him, if I want to wear skirts with mine, good for me, those are just two examples of what freestyling can be to everyone who practices the craft.

[Puffer]

Careful, gents!   I think you mean just 'plain [and ordinary] men's clothing' and not clothing for 'old' men - there is an important difference!   (And, does anyone buy garments from 'an old clothes seller', not knowing if it is the clothing or the seller that is aged?   )

 

I'm reminded of the local headmaster  (who should have known better) listing in the school's charity auction 'a half-human skeleton' when what was really meant was 'a human half-skeleton'. 

[mlroseplant]

Careful, gents! I think you mean just 'plain [and ordinary] men's clothing' and not clothing for 'old' men - there is an important difference! (And, does anyone buy garments from 'an old clothes seller', not knowing if it is the clothing or the seller that is aged? ) I'm reminded of the local headmaster (who should have known better) listing in the school's charity auction 'a half-human skeleton' when what was really meant was 'a human half-skeleton'.

Having just returned to the USA from Vietnam, I am doubly aware of the imperfections of communication by any language. I am confident that through this discussion, we have all come to a better understanding of pure ideas.

[Dr. Shoe]

Men should be able to wear heels with absolutely any outfit they see fit, women do!

[FLheellover]

I agree with Dr. Shoe, however speaking strictly for myself my guy jeans just don't look as good with heels as the women's jeans do. It seems the legs

of the jeans fit better.

[Foxyheels]

I've said it on the other thread before I saw this one  but  sure  this forum is mainly for men who wear  heels as a fashion statement but present as a male. I choose to mix  and match wearing mostly female jeans tops and coats. I often throw in a waist coat and a broad brim hat  which most would see as very  male. My jewellery is very sparkly and I wear  a  fair amount of it  so it's clearly noticeable. My heels are  usually around the  4'' mark and are  block heels but I must  admit I have a  couple  of  very  nice  blade  heel boots  I wear a lot  at  the  moment.

I went out  for  a meal with several friends last  Saturday  to a  packed  restaurant and  was clearly dressed 'differently' to any other man present but had  no issues and  presented as male.

My point is  we are different  but for me that's part of  the  attraction, I'm sure  some  people who see  me  must  think I look strange/ silly  but  I'm not  really  bothered my friends  and  family  a re completely ok with it and I find it's so much more accepted now. S let's  wear  what  we please and discuss our fashion choices without prejudice.

I must  take  some  pictures  and  post  them so you can let  me  know what  you think.

[hhboots]

Lots of good points on all sides of the discussion.  I think we all have the freedom to choose how to integrate heels (or feminine shoes) into our wardrobe, that is part of what we have come to know as freestyling.  We all have our own interpretation of what that means, because basically we are treading into somewhat new waters as not a lot of men do what many of us here do.  So there are some here that choose to wear a full set of men's clothing with heels, others of us that integrate women's pants/jeans with heels, or even skirts with heels, and others that go beyond that...  

 

I personally agree with some of the comments that state women's pants and jeans (or skirts for a few here) are a lot nicer to wear with heels.  Its just that a more fitted look from the waist down flows very well with heels.  If done correctly, it will look appealing, and no one should take any notice in a bad way.

 

Where as most men's traditional casual pants and jeans are rather baggy, thick and ill-fitted, and that does in my opinion not mix well with heels. Anyway, we all should have the freedom to do what we want and to what extent we want, in how we integrate our outfits.  It's whatever you are comfortable with personally and hopefully what keeps others from looking at you as though you are a complete oddball 

[HappyinHeels]

All,

 

Nice thread which I believe is a variation of one before. The very term "freestyling" would seemingly infer the wearer (M or F) is exercising their freedom by wearing their own style. I believe the truth is in what Dr. Shoe says. She points out, "Men should be able to wear heels with absolutely any outfit they see fit, women do!"

Think about what she says and then reflect on what you have seen around you. Women do wear anything!They didn't ask men's opinion before proceeding rather they just wore it....and owned it!! That's the essential difference. Find your precise style and own it. Life is a one-way journey and you'll have this one chance to have as much fun as possible. May as well do it in heels if that's what you really enjoy doing. And don't forget the skirt....or handbag.....or  etc.   As always-- HappyinHeels

[Histiletto]

While we are discussing wardrobe with heels, it should also be mentioned that when some of us say heels, it doesn't necessarily mean stilettos, spikes, or even pumps, sandals, or various boot types. The array and types of heels spans from none to extreme platforms, with solids, cutouts, layered, and other artistic concepts in between. Even the notations of cfm's and stripper heels have changed while these type of heels have become staples in everyday outfits. The heels in my avatar use to be considered porno heels, but they are now commonly worn with any outfit, because of their wide acceptance and general appeal. 

 

What it all comes down to is: We are individuals with our own specific tastes. Whether heels with bib overall, jumpsuits, shorts, sweats, skirts, dresses, or etc., it is what we like and feel comfortable in wearing. I may not like your combinations, nor do you have to like mine. Yes, there are some dress codes that ought to be known and considered when we select our outfits for the activity. Wearing stilettos while fishing in a boat might not be the best for staying afloat. but neither is wearing sports shoes or flip-flops to a formal event considered proper. However in my opinion, wearing 4" stiletto pumps with jeans is a social staple and should return to be a common public sight. Yes, men and women should spruce up their public appearances instead of wearing apparel items that are due for the rag bag, discarding, or the washing pile.

[Shafted]

The point I was originally trying to make seems to have been completely lost here. By all means, dress as you want, but be prepared for the repercussions. If people are laughing at and ridiculing you, maybe you need to look in the mirror.

 

If you are wearing the typical sloppy male clothes with a nice pair of ladies heels, well, you're gonna just give the naysayers the ammunition to ridicule you. To be honest, I do not sympathize.

 

If you want to wear high heels without the ridicule, you have to be aware of every aspect of your appearance. The fit of every garment, the hand of the material and how it folds, creases and general response to body movement are all important factors that I think most guys here just don't get.

 

To look good we need clothes that actually fit, not the tents and potato sacks held on and up by gravity and waistbands. The very nature of men's clothing implies insecurity with our bodies. Not a good start if you want to wear heels.

 

The other often overlooked thing I need to point out is posture. Many people just don't carry themselves well. Years ago my mother kept trying to get me to improve my posture (not to slouch and so forth). Poor posture is just a product of laziness most of the time and easily corrected. The problem I think is that good posture just doesn't feel right if you have spent your entire life with poor posture. Poor posture can also be a product of low self-esteem. People tend to try to use it to blend in with the woodwork.

[hhboots]

I thought people were just adding to the overall discussion    Your point was pretty clear and I agree with your observations for the most part.

 

As to your last statement, for me, I really feel that heels improve my posture.  Without heels I notice that lean forward from the waist somewhat as I walk (with a straight back, but at like a 10 degree slope forward above the waist). However, with heels, it seems to force me to stand straighter and with a more arched back... so I very much appreciate as a benefit of wearing heels.