Cali World

[Cali]

I've been on vacation for the past 5 weeks and today was a "All Hands Meeting" with about 300 - 400 hundred people, 50/50 men to women.  

We read how no one sees women in heels. Well at this meeting there were least 10 women tall tall stilettos, another 20 had 3+ inch other heels (block, wedges, etc.), and still another group with shorter heels, including kitten heels.

So not all is lost, there are still women who wear heels.

I had my black Jessica Simpson stilettos, see above.  I had several heel chats with women in stilettos. Its funny that I now know several women who have asked to try on my heels.  However even more people wanted to look at my nails. I'm known for my heels and my nails

[HappyinHeels]

You are very diligent with your nails AND your heels. And the SF Giants. So, you're my pal Keep up the great, and elevated, work you do. HinH

[Cali]

I visited my PO Box at the post office this afternoon. A woman walking the other way looked down at my heels as she passed and said, "I have those in black," and kept going.

Soda Agenda in burgundy with Express Denim Perfect Lift leggings 10 Short.

Edited January 25, 2020 by Cali

[hiddenheels]

On 1/25/2020 at 3:55 PM, Cali said:

I visited my PO Box at the post office this afternoon. A woman walking the other way looked down at my heels as she passed and said, "I have those in black," and kept going.

Soda Agenda in burgundy with Express Denim Perfect Lift leggings 10 Short.

Cool shoes!

[Cali]

So I have been expanding my boundaries lately.  Last fall I decided to show my knee high boots, not hide them under long pants (34 inch), so I got skinny jeans and leggings. I the first pair turned out to be from Express and they only had size 10 Short, so I got them, 25" inseam. They come 2 inches above my ankle, and a full 9 inches shorter than my other pants (and they have usable pockets!!). I also got three Levi's 311 with 30 inch inseams, they come to just at my ankle. Both jeans are super stretching shaping skinny jeans . I have been wearing these to work most of the time now. I love how my heels are no longer hidden AND they fit inside my boots.  Last week I finally got the last pair of the Express version in black (now sold out). For Halloween I bought a fuchsia faux suede moto jacket and had wanted to wear it again. Even though I have worn my leopard sherpa to work and other places, I was still too scared to wear something as feminine as this jacket. I decide to calm down the fuchsia with black.  Black turtleneck, the new black leggings, black socks, black Delicious Elowen booties  with faux back laces. (no platform)

Once I left home there was no turning back.  I had at least 10 women and 4 men compliment me on the jacket, several of the women also loved the heels. One woman wanted to "steal my look."

And now the back view...

[mlroseplant]

Great look, Cali! Although I must say, we all have our weird, individual hangups about things. I don't really see anything in this outfit that I wouldn't have worn three years ago, but on the other hand, I would never wear nail polish, even if I liked it! For me, that would be pushing it too far. But with your permission, I might steal your look, with the exception of the nails. Also, I think I'll skip the "headless" look.

[bluejay]

Way to go Cali. I like your look. I don't get a full color mani. I just color my little pinkies and get clear gel on the rest of my fingers. Right now I have bright red polish on my little pinkies with white hearts for Valentine's Day. My wife likes the look. Yesterday, before the snow and cold came I went out shopping in my Valentine's Day leggings, red women's, mock neck shirt, red women's puffy down jacket and my Soda, red booties with 3" chunky heels. Got a nice compliment from the check-out gal in Walmart, who said she liked my leggings. I replied, "thanks, I bought them here a couple years ago".

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

[Cali]

7 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Great look, Cali! Although I must say, we all have our weird, individual hangups about things. I don't really see anything in this outfit that I wouldn't have worn three years ago, but on the other hand, I would never wear nail polish, even if I liked it! For me, that would be pushing it too far. But with your permission, I might steal your look, with the exception of the nails. Also, I think I'll skip the "headless" look.

I got over the "boots on the outside" barrier last fall with the introduction of tight skinny jeans and jean type leggings, even faux leather leggings.  Although the jacket doesn't have any darts, not many men wear fuchsia jackets, specially cropped that short with gold zippers accents. However, I think the otherwise all black outfit toned down the color and how close it is to Valentine Day. The only bad thing was I expected the jacket to be warmer than it was. I'm now in the market for a leather or faux leather version.

@mlroseplant you have my permission (as if you needed it) to copy the look, and the nails are optional.  I get a real kick out of it when a woman likes how I put my outfits together enough to want to copy it. It tells me I must be doing something right. This woman even wanted to copy my nails.

1 hour ago, bluejay said:

Way to go Cali. I like your look. I don't get a full color mani. I just color my little pinkies and get clear gel on the rest of my fingers. Right now I have bright red polish on my little pinkies with white hearts for Valentine's Day. My wife likes the look. Yesterday, before the snow and cold came I went out shopping in my Valentine's Day leggings, red women's, mock neck shirt, red women's puffy down jacket and my Soda, red booties with 3" chunky heels. Got a nice compliment from the check-out gal in Walmart, who said she liked my leggings. I replied, "thanks, I bought them here a couple years ago".

Happy Heeling,

bluejay

That's a bold outfit to me @bluejay , more red than I wear, but I must admit that I have gotten three pairs of red heels in the past 6 months.

Like many of you on this forum whose love for heels started at an early age, my love of nail color started as a teen. I started to get pedicures when my hand was in and out of casts for 8 months and with color soon after; that was over a decade ago. I damaged two fingernails to the point that they need to have an acrylic cover to be held together and after years I want them to all look the same. I had color once and have been having it ever since. I simply love it and I find it very strange the few times a year when I don't have full color gel. I constantly get random compliments on my nails from both men and women.

These short black jeggings was also the great way to show off the most important feature of these Delicious Elowen booties, the faux lace up the back. This is completely hidden by longer pants that hide the heels.  I thinking I might even get more heels with fringe on the side. Celebrate and enjoy the fact that I wear high heels.

Edited February 14, 2020 by Cali

[Cali]

To work on 2/25, I wore a fleece top over a sleeveless turtleneck (both black), with my black knee-high thick stiletto boots over my blue Levi’s.

Got an email about a big SHOE sale at Macy's so went to check it out and the large mall it is part of. Macy's didn't have anything I wanted, but I did try on several pairs there. I talked with a woman who was also trying on boots. Left and went to Aldos and tried on several heels. Again, none fit (looking for new sandals) and they didn't have a size 11 in the styles I was looking at :(.  Two stores down is a Steve Madden store. Looked in at what they had in the store, but they didn't have my size in the heels I liked. Steven Madden sale associates know me as a good client so they go out of their way for me.

On the way back to my car I came across the same lady who was also looking at the boots with me in Macy's.

Looking surprised she said, "Oh, I didn't realize you had boots on before."

"I always wear at least 4-inch heels, I need the rise for my hip."

We talked for a while and as we were parting, she complimented me on how well I walk in them. I laughed.

===

At work I had one woman walk out of her way to tell me how she "seriously LOVED my boots."

[hiddenheels]

3 hours ago, Cali said:

To work on 2/25, I wore a fleece top over a sleeveless turtleneck (both black), with my black knee-high thick stiletto boots over my blue Levi’s.

Got an email about a big SHOE sale at Macy's so went to check it out and the large mall it is part of. Macy's didn't have anything I wanted, but I did try on several pairs there. I talked with a woman who was also trying on boots. Left and went to Aldos and tried on several heels. Again, none fit (looking for new sandals) and they didn't have a size 11 in the styles I was looking at :(.  Two stores down is a Steve Madden store. Looked in at what they had in the store, but they didn't have my size in the heels I liked. Steven Madden sale associates know me as a good client so they go out of their way for me.

On the way back to my car I came across the same lady who was also looking at the boots with me in Macy's.

Looking surprised she said, "Oh, I didn't realize you had boots on before."

"I always wear at least 4-inch heels, I need the rise for my hip."

We talked for a while and as we were parting, she complimented me on how well I walk in them. I laughed.

===

At work I had one woman walk out of her way to tell me how she "seriously LOVED my boots."

Well done!

 

Does Steve Madden carry size 11 in the US? I don't see that size up here in Canada...

[Cali]

Size 11 is rarely in Steve Madden stores, sometimes in outlets, and in some styles on-line.  I wear most size 10.

[Cali]

After 14 hours of work yesterday in my Jessica Simpson knee high boots, I stopped for a quart of ice cream at a hometown speciality ice cream store.  Only two younger women customers at the counter waiting to get their ice cream. As I brought the quart to the cash register one of the women couldn't keep her eyes off my boots.

So I said “Do you like them?”

“Oh I love them, I wish I could wear knee highs but my calves are too big,” as she showed me her WIDE calves. “But then I probably break my ankles in heels that high.”  As this conversation was happening the cashier rang me up and I handed her my money. The cashier went crazy over my nails, so the customer had to see my nails and the cashier had to see my heels. The cashier wanted to know where I get my shoes, so I told her Macy’s to which she said “Oh, Macy’s money?”  Unfortunately for the cashier, she has size 12 feet.

Just a normal day in CaliWorld.

[chesterx]

3 hours ago, Cali said:

Just a normal day in CaliWorld.

How fun it is!

[Cali]

I try to limit the items I can't wear to work or in public to just a few , 2 or 3.  I've had a sleeveless turtleneck bodysuit I had purchase several years ago that I had never worn, it's egg shell blue.  I finally figured a way to wear it, with some Express leggings, a Polo top, and Madden Girl motorcycle boots. I've been showing the tops of my boots and loving it. I know you can't see the top in the photo below, but that's the real point here.

[Cali]

I went to get my beans from the coffee roasters this morning. Spooky downtown with it empty because of the corona 19 virus.  Freeways are empty too. My favorite shoe boutique is next door to the coffee roasters, so I usually go in and see what they have.  They weren't open yet, however, the owner open the store for me.They didn't have anything new I wanted to try on, so we just chatted for a while. Downtown is ghost town with almost no customers, so she wanted to talk. They are thinking of what they will order for the summer and fall. I put my "4" cents in (things are more expensive in California) for wedge sandals, lace up sandals, and stiletto knee highs with full zippers like Jessica Simpson's. The owner also loves her Jessica Simpson and we talked about how the heel placement on Jessica Simpson stilettos makes them easy to walk in. 

I would encourage all to obtain a relationship with at least one footwear store. You get treated better than the regular customers, they know you BUY heels and sometimes your size and styles.  I have also been given "discounts" simply for asking! They will tell you what's coming in and save things for you.  I have a relationship with 3 stores now and it's great. I can walk into a crowded store, pick up a heel I want to try on and just show it to the sale associate on the other side of the room and she will go get it (in my size) without a word spoken while other customers are waiting to get served.

[Heelster]

""I can walk into a crowded store, pick up a heel I want to try on and just show it to the sale associate on the other side of the room and she will go get it (in my size) without a word spoken while other customers are waiting to get served.""

I haven't seen a store like that in years !!

[Cali]

I can do it in a small local boutique and a Steve Madden in a large mall. Remember I go shoe shopping every month or 2 so they recognize me. And it helps that I have high heels on. They really take notice when you have skinny jeans and knee high stilettos on.  

Right now I need to replace maybe 5 wedges that have delaminated. They are 4 and 5 years old and have seen a lot of use.  Can find high enough wedges, max so far are 3.25 inch and I want 4+.

5 hours ago, Heelster said:

I haven't seen a store like that in years !!

Too bad.

[mlroseplant]

18 hours ago, Cali said:

In another thread there has been talk about wearing bodysuits. I wanted to show a problem you may encounter with bodysuits.  Some don’t cover your hip.  If you wear high waisted pants this may not be a problem, but with these mid-rise leggings I needed to be careful to keep my shirt from rising too far up.

Coincidentally, only yesterday I received my first ever bodysuit in the mail. I haven't had the time to try it on yet.

6 hours ago, Cali said:

Right now I need to replace maybe 5 wedges that have delaminated. They are 4 and 5 years old and have seen a lot of use.  Can find high enough wedges, max so far are 3.25 inch and I want 4+.

Too bad.

I have the same problem, on both accounts. It seems like most of the wedges I'm attracted to have jute or jute-like material on the sides, like a high heeled espadrille. This never lasts more than a couple years. I recently tricked myself into buying what I'd call mid-heels. Most would call them high. The heel is 4", but the total rise is slightly less than 3". I don't dislike them, but they're too low!

[Cali]

The past week I have been in meetings over the corona virus closure and the move to an on-line presence. (I've been dealing with the effects of this virus in my area since late January.)

The last two days I've attended meetings in my skinny jeans and Jessica Simpson knee high platform boots.  Yesterday during lunch a woman asked me "how high of a heel can I wear?" I gave an answer like I have 7 inch plus heels that I wear, but I like a difference of 3.75 to 4.75.

Today I was asked by woman who is in personnel that hear the first woman ask the question if I felt harassed by it.

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by Cali

[chesterx]

52 minutes ago, Cali said:

The past week I have been in meetings over the corona virus closure and the move to an on-line presence.

 

We have been instructed to take our laptops home every night. It has actually been a rule for some time, but no one ever bothered with it as we don't have docking stations. Its a hassle to climb under the desk to plug / unplug it in every day, plus resetting  the monitors. They have threatened us with a loss of vacation days if we are without our laptop & the office is closed...

[Cali]

I'm building a studio in my dining room.  This is 2 to 3 months at the minimum.

[Cali]

I joined a on-line work meeting this afternoon.  during the meeting one of the women asked me what shoes I had on since she misses seeing me in my heels.

I told her I was barefoot and she was disappointed. So I got my JS knee highs from the office, put them on and shared the image on-line.

Expectations a true high heeler must fulfill. 

Edited March 24, 2020 by Cali

[Peter1]

So great outfit @Cali. Well dressed for your meeting!

[Cali]

Yesterday I wore my dark blue Levis 311, 9-West knee high boots in chestnut  (3.75 inch block heels), a white turtleneck, and my leopard print sherpa.  Between broadcasts I ventured out to my post office to collect some packages. When I got there I pulled up my turtleneck to use as  a mask and zipped up the collar of the sherpa to hold up the turtleneck. While entering the post office a woman leaving told me she loved my "fashionable mask" (meaning the sherpa).....no mention of my knee high boots. Must be the invisible chestnut color.

During the 20 minutes I venture out, two other women complimented me on my sherpa.  This sherpa was an impulse purchase. I was in a woman's clothing store shopping for a skirt/dress for Halloween and saw it hanging.  I walked over and tried it on right there, wondering if I had the guts to wear it out. I also wonder if I had the guts to get a leather moto jacket...I opted for the sherpa and I am so glad I did..  Both men and women want this sherpa for themselves, so it is a winner.   I also wish I had gotten the moto jacket.  Who knows with women's fashion if it will return in the fall and in what form.

[vector]

On 3/11/2020 at 11:51 PM, Cali said:

I can do it in a small local boutique and a Steve Madden in a large mall. Remember I go shoe shopping every month or 2 so they recognize me. And it helps that I have high heels on. They really take notice when you have skinny jeans and knee high stilettos on.  

Right now I need to replace maybe 5 wedges that have delaminated. They are 4 and 5 years old and have seen a lot of use.  Can find high enough wedges, max so far are 3.25 inch and I want 4+.

Too bad.

You might want to try Nine West "To The Flo".  Wedge pumps with about a 4.5 inch heel.

[Cali]

9 hours ago, vector said:

You might want to try Nine West "To The Flo".  Wedge pumps with about a 4.5 inch heel.

Thanks for the suggestion @vector but unfortunately, I have a large volume toe box, very thick. I have NEVER tried on a pump that didn't hurt, and I mean painful!!!  I don't even try on pumps anymore.  But there are plenty of other heels for me because I am a woman's size 10 (11 in some).

[Cali]

BEATERS 

Do you have a pair that you slip on to run errands in? Comfortable and joy to walk in? They have seen better days but your not even close to parting with them.

Well here's mine. I have a new pair still in their box...

Edited May 4, 2020 by Cali

[mlroseplant]

On 5/4/2020 at 5:56 PM, Cali said:

BEATERS 

Do you have a pair that you slip on to run errands in? Comfortable and joy to walk in? They have seen better days but your not even close to parting with them.

Well here's mine. I have a new pair still in their box...

I don't  really have a pair of "beaters" any more, perhaps not in the true sense of the word. Actually, I do have such a pair, but I keep them for sentimental reasons, not because I ever wear them. My beaters are these BCBGirls Bonny sandals, which have been featured a number of times elsewhere. They are well worn, but not so horrible looking (at least from the outside) that I won't wear them out to the grocery store, or some such errand. In fact, they are my favorite summer walking shoes. They have been pounded on the streets of downtown Chicago for two days straight. As I've stated elsewhere, I have two new identical pair, one of which I've now worn enough to feel comfortable in, but they're just not the same as the old pair. Now I've got to make a decision. The right heel is within a few short miles of wearing clear through. Do I spend the money to get these old gals re-heeled? I'm considering it.

[Cali]

I put this in the Who has bought new shoes thread but here is a picture.  Jessica Simpson Mishka.

The shoes are just too big. Where's my toes?.  Even in these, the strap over the toe box is tight. I like the color and the croc print on the leather, but back they must go.

Edited May 12, 2020 by Cali

[bluejay]

Big? can barely see your pedi. Get a smaller size.

Happy Heeling.

bluejay