The High Heeled Ruminations Of Melrose Plant

[p1ng74]

Do you all get red wasps up there?  I’ve never had a black/blue wasp even get anxious, unprovoked, but the red ones cannot be trusted.  

[mlroseplant]

21 hours ago, p1ng74 said:

Do you all get red wasps up there?  I’ve never had a black/blue wasp even get anxious, unprovoked, but the red ones cannot be trusted.  

We don't have red wasps up here. The only black or blue species I can think of we call mud daubers, and they are pretty mellow. Most of the rest of them are yellow and black striped, and can be aggressive at times, especially during this time of year we're coming into soon.

[mlroseplant]

Farmer's Market OOTW. I have a couple of interesting notations. First of all, I am just not too sure about these shorts. I've had them for a while, but have never worn them before because they were too tight in the waist. I have recently dropped a few pounds for reasons I can't really explain, and now they fit OK. At least in the waist. Looking at them in this photo, I feel everything else is too big, and cut too fully. I don't know, I just don't like them all that well. Except for the full sized pockets. No dumping change when you sit down in these shorts.

This week, I got in a conversation right off the bat with one of our early customers about my shoes. It was the usual "I don't see how you can do that and remain a normal, upright, pleasant person" kind of exchange. Since the market hadn't officially opened, I had a little more time to talk, and I attempted to explain how I approached wearing heels from a different place than most women, talking about social constructs and expectations.  .  . I'm not going to do that again. I'm sure there are some people out there who are interested in such things, but they are probably few and far between. She was pleasant enough, but obviously had no idea what the hell I was talking about, or didn't care. Which is fine. She can marvel at my endurance in high heels without understanding how I got here.

So, I wore my favorite Bonny mules for the first time to the market, just to see if they were really as comfortable as I always say they are. The Bonny No. 3 is not fully broken in yet, so I did bring a backup pair of shoes and a couple of Bandaids just in case. I wound up using the backup shoes, but not for the reason I imagined. As it turns out, both heel tips came loose before the end of the night. Not a big deal, I think it's because they are New Old Stock shoes, and the wooden heels have probably dried out and shrunk somewhat over the years, losing their grip on the heel tips. Same thing happened with Bonny No. 2. But I had to finish the night in low heels. :((((((

[SF]

Very attractive sandals, have fun with them.  I don't get all philosophical when someone asks about my heels. Usually it's a compliment, and I just tell them thank you, it's something I do.  If the conversation goes further, I will oblige with further details, but most of the time the comment / compliment is merely to take note of that fact that I am wearing nice looking shoes.  

As for folks reacting to or noticing my heels, when I first began wearing heels wayyy back in the 80's, I did get more comments from folks.  But for the past few years, it has been very rare to get a comment.  Maybe folks are getting used to seeing a guy in heels?  Not likely, since I sill have NEVER seen another guy in heels, or gals flats for that matter.  It's a lonely life - smile...  But I will handle the challenge..  sf   

Edited August 5, 2022 by SF
minor typo

[mlroseplant]

20 hours ago, SF said:

Very attractive sandals, have fun with them.  I don't get all philosophical when someone asks about my heels. Usually it's a compliment, and I just tell them thank you, it's something I do.  If the conversation goes further, I will oblige with further details, but most of the time the comment / compliment is merely to take note of that fact that I am wearing nice looking shoes.  

As for folks reacting to or noticing my heels, when I first began wearing heels wayyy back in the 80's, I did get more comments from folks.  But for the past few years, it has been very rare to get a comment.  Maybe folks are getting used to seeing a guy in heels?  Not likely, since I sill have NEVER seen another guy in heels, or gals flats for that matter.  It's a lonely life - smile...  But I will handle the challenge..  sf   

Part of the reason I did it is because I had the time, and the other part is that she (the woman who commented on my shoes in the first place) kept going on and on about how she could do little heels, but not ones like I had on, and started describing her exact symptoms, and HOW do you work a farmer's market in those things? So I started to explain how. Evidently, it turns out she didn't really want to know how. And that's fine.

Since you mentioned it, SF, I actually saw a boy in gal's shoes that night, but had forgotten about it until now. I'd say this kid was probably 11 or 12 and otherwise dressed like your typical boy that age--athletic shorts that were on the loose side, t-shirt, short hair, but with sandals that were obviously intended for a girl. Not frilly or anything, but very thin straps and very thin soles with a 1/4" heel on them. They fit him perfectly, so I'm guessing they weren't borrowed from a sister or a cousin.

Edited August 6, 2022 by mlroseplant
Clarity

[mlroseplant]

I got my Bonny sandals glued back together with a minimal amount of super glue, they shouldn't cause me any problems for the next 25 miles, which seems to be the average life of the stock heels on these things.

In other news, I got some new Michael Kors sandals, reviewed in the "New Sandals" section. Here is the outfit I chose to wear with them. I've done the "grayscale" look before, but this is a slightly different take on it, since I have gray sandals now!

[mlroseplant]

Second try with my Bonny No. 3 sandals. I experienced no troubles from them this week. We did experience a slow night, though. It was the first day of the Iowa State Fair, which did not help turnout at our market, and it was bloody hot, as evidenced by the sweat marks on my shirt.

The Bonny No. 3s are just about broken in now. Given how long this process acually takes, I am surprised that I ever kept Bonny No. 1. These sandals are incredibly stiff when you first get them, and it takes quite a bit to get them to soften up. In addition to that, when I got the Bonny No. 1, my toes did not really want to bend in the way that they need to bend in order to wear these sandals. I do not really remember, other than the mere passage of time, how my toes got more flexible in that direction to the point that I had forgotten how uncomfortable these things were when I first started wearing this model some 8 years ago.

Included, since it was such a good snapshot, is the brains behind this operation wearing her high viz sandals, which are NOT high heeled.

[mlroseplant]

Not much to tell this week. Our choir director was gone this week, so we played with a substitute pianist. It was fine. No comments. The only thing of note is that the no-name, Alibaba type sandals that I am wearing in this picture are pretty high, very skinny, and yet at the same time very stable and very comfortable. They had a brand name on them once, but it has been worn off long ago, and it was a name that you never heard of.

[SF]

I like the Bonnie sandals.  As for the “brains” high-viz sandals, not so much, but a cut pic nonetheless.  

It’s wonderful to have a supportive wife...   smile..

sf

[mlroseplant]

It's been several days since I posted anything, and that's ok. I have nothing new to post, outfit-wise. I'm continuing to recycle what I've worn. The fewer stories I have to tell, the better for all of us.

I got gushing compliments from a Costco employee yesterday about this outfit, different variations of which I have worn many times. I call it my "earthtone" outfit. I chose to pair it with my Söfft "Calvados" sandals partially because I realize my lower heels are not getting any love lately, and they are good solid shoes that never bite me back. I should appreciate them more, especially given the fact that the Costco employee mistook them for high heels. Speaking of high heels, there was only one customer in Costco at that time who was wearing actual high heels (there were a few others with mid-heels like me), and that was a 10 year old girl.

In other news, the records say that I have been remarkably lazy for the past year in the fact that I have not walked as much as I used to. The last month that I walked a truly significant amount was May of 2021, when I walked 37.2 miles. So far this month, I have walked only 15.1 miles, and most of that was in the last week. My legs and ankles are out of shape. The good news is that my 2 mile route no longer wipes me out muscle-wise, after only one week of getting back with the program. Pictured here are my True Religion mules, which are effectively right at 4" in height (5" with a 1" platform).  I have them in for new heel tips at the moment. The old ones lasted about 45 miles, which is pretty decent.

[Shyheels]

I think most people these days regard what were traditionally thought of as mid-heels as “high heels” - and especially so if they are being worn by a guy.

[mlroseplant]

It is unfortunate when a substantive post is the last one on the page, as it tends to get ignored. And yes, I think most people don't think about the distinction between truly high heels and mid heels. I find that anything 3 inches or less is not really a heel for me anymore. However, my learning curve is over with pretty quickly, as I can't seem to deal with anything higher than 4 1/2 inches, and I have the video to prove it!

[Shyheels]

I agree with you about three inches being a kind of barrier - anything below is kind of hard to consider much of a heel, but three inches is where “heels” begin. I quite like that height - 3 to 3.5 inches,  in knee boots at any rate. It is high enough to matter but leaves a bit of ambivalence too.  It a height that on its own is relatively easy to “get away with” yet when coupled with the broadly feminine styling of knee boots  creates an interesting edgy frisson. 

[mlroseplant]

The farmer's market season is rapidly winding down, but it's still shorts weather for sure. That may change next week, or it may not. You never know here in Iowa. The reason I mention shorts is because although I wore some pretty standout shoes last night, my blue Bruno Magli "Kira" suede wedges, I got no comments about them at all. However, one mid-thirty-ish lady gushed about my shorts. I do think they suit me rather well, being short enough without being super tight, and not so short as to be really shocking, but I guess I can't get all that enthusiastic about shorts. Another bathroom shot. I have no place else as a practical matter.

[mlroseplant]

I haven't posted on here in a while, as there seems to be little interest. I really don't blame people, I've got nothing new to say, and perhaps that's a good thing. It means I am able to lead a normal life wearing heels, and there are a finite number of things to say about that.

There was a radical change in the weather here in Central Iowa this past week. It seems like one day it was in the 90s for temperature (close to 35º C), and a few days later, it dipped into the mid to upper 50s (around 12-15º C). As a result, I wore long pants and long sleeves to the farmer's market, and I'm glad I did. It started out a little hot, and I was thinking I could have worn shorts, as many of our customers did. However, our customers didn't have to stand outside in one spot for five hours, and by the time eight o'clock rolled around, I was quite appropriately dressed.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd have probably worn my ankle boots or knee high boots. I wore these oxfords, which are my oldest continuously serving pair of shoes, because I knew they wouldn't bite me back, and they didn't. I did not bring a pair of backup shoes or load-in/load-out shoes with me. The little bit of ankle showing I feel interrupts the visual line. I got only one comment on that evening, and it was a "I don't understand how you can deal with heels that high" kind of comment.

[Shyheels]

Sounds like you’re getting some English weather. A nice look - although I would definitely have been in knee boots, but then I would have been anyway!

[mlroseplant]

Super good last night of the year for the farmer's market. Good weather, no other major events going on, and the realization for many people that they won't be able to come to this event for another 7 months. We went out with a bang, rather than a whimper. I really wanted to wear shorts for our last hurrah of the year, but that would have been inadvisable. It's simply not that warm. Got zero comments about my outfit or my shoes.

True Religion mules. Effective 4 inch heel. Brought backup shoes, but didn't even think about using them. By the end of the season, 4 inch heels are easy. The trick will be to keep myself in this good of condition over the winter.

[Jkrenzer]

Just wear your pumps, and get some stiletto boots. Works for me anyway. All year.

[pebblesf]

On 9/25/2022 at 8:20 AM, mlroseplant said:

I haven't posted on here in a while, as there seems to be little interest. I really don't blame people, I've got nothing new to say, and perhaps that's a good thing. It means I am able to lead a normal life wearing heels, and there are a finite number of things to say about that.

There was a radical change in the weather here in Central Iowa this past week. It seems like one day it was in the 90s for temperature (close to 35º C), and a few days later, it dipped into the mid to upper 50s (around 12-15º C). As a result, I wore long pants and long sleeves to the farmer's market, and I'm glad I did. It started out a little hot, and I was thinking I could have worn shorts, as many of our customers did. However, our customers didn't have to stand outside in one spot for five hours, and by the time eight o'clock rolled around, I was quite appropriately dressed.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd have probably worn my ankle boots or knee high boots. I wore these oxfords, which are my oldest continuously serving pair of shoes, because I knew they wouldn't bite me back, and they didn't. I did not bring a pair of backup shoes or load-in/load-out shoes with me. The little bit of ankle showing I feel interrupts the visual line. I got only one comment on that evening, and it was a "I don't understand how you can deal with heels that high" kind of comment.

You look great buddy, your efforts to take good care of yourself have paid off for sure.

[mlroseplant]

I haven't felt like taking any pictures in a while, but I did this week, simply for the purpose of making fun of myself. I have two different ways in which to do this. One, my process of trying to decide which pair of shoes to wear to best complement the suit I had chosen. I finally decided on a certain shade of so-called nude pumps. And I thought nude in general was supposed to go with everything! Alas, it is not so.

I went to such a great deal of trouble to pick out the color that I neglected to put on the suit until the last minute, at which time I discovered that I must have been smoking crack when I had these pants hemmed. At this point, it was too late to change.

[pebblesf]

Great outfit for sure

[Cali]

A higher heel could have corrected the hem problem.  Say another 4 to 5 more inches. Maybe stilts.

[bambam]

Nonsense, that looks perfect

[Puffer]

16 hours ago, Cali said:

A higher heel could have corrected the hem problem.  Say another 4 to 5 more inches. Maybe stilts.

9 hours ago, bambam said:

Nonsense, that looks perfect

The trousers are surely just too long, so puckering-up on melrose's instep, as he implies because they were hemmed wrongly.   A higher heel would be more visible (and reduce the gap between trouser bottom and ground) but not correct the gathering over the toe/instep.

[mlroseplant]

On 10/16/2022 at 4:27 AM, Puffer said:

The trousers are surely just too long, so puckering-up on melrose's instep, as he implies because they were hemmed wrongly.   A higher heel would be more visible (and reduce the gap between trouser bottom and ground) but not correct the gathering over the toe/instep.

Absolutely correct! Even if I went with platforms, it would not correct the fundamental problem you mention. And it certainly would not correct the other problem of the hem catching on the back of the heel when one stands up from a seated position, particularly if one has crossed his legs at all while seated. That's even worse! I have no idea how the ladies circa 2000 made this style work.

I much more cooperation from the pants I chose this week, though the look was more casual. Shown here are my Steve Madden Klory pumps, which look remarkably similar to several other pumps I own, but these are better! Slightly. They are cataloged somewhere in the "New Shoes" section, I am sure. This was their maiden voyage, and I had occasion to actually walk in them for some distance, totaling not quite a mile.

They are not bad, but they did eventually rub blisters on the outsides of my feet, directly underneath my ankles. My fault for not checking that sort of thing before I wore them out for the first time. That, and with the 4 3/4 inch heel, it took forever, or so it seemed, to get to where I was going.

[mlroseplant]

17 hours ago, kneehighs said:

Definitely my favorite shoes I've seen you wear so far. Their color blends well with your pants too. This can help elongate your legs. 

There is nothing to be done about my legs. I make my way through life with this handicap.

[Jkrenzer]

Ah but there is. Crazy people are getting lengthening surgery. Me, just wear high heels.

All kidding aside, I'm pretty sure kidding kneehighs was complimenting your proportions. Those heels look like they should be be there.

[mlroseplant]

6 hours ago, kneehighs said:

Pretty sure @mlroseplant didn’t take my comment personally. Making shoes the same color as the pants is a stylists way of visually making the legs appear longer for anyone.

This outfit is great. Another option is a white button down. It would create a classic monochromatic effect. Which would elongate and slim the whole body—for anyone.

I am pretty sure that everyone on here knows I have a pretty dry sense of humor, but in all seriousness, I have done the monochromatic thing over the years, and here I thought I was just being lazy and unimaginative!

[bambam]

Those sandals on the Bike are very nice!!

[mlroseplant]

13 hours ago, bambam said:

Those sandals on the Bike are very nice!!

They are essentially the same sandal as the gray ones pictured above, with a few minor variations, Michael Kors "Oksana" is the name of the tan ones.

 

The basic problem with both of these is that, despite their robust appearance, they are not very sturdy shoes. And I only weigh a buck-and-a-third. (That's 9 1/2 stone or 61 kg)