Cali World

[mlroseplant]

Yep, we are pretty much screwed, at least for the moment. The new shoes are pretty much awful, and the old shoes are falling apart. I have half a dozen items on my "shoe repair to do" list at the moment, and half of those are "new old stock" shoes which have never been worn, but have been sitting for 10-15 years. The glue gives way after a while, and often there is nothing to be done.

Hope you are ok, was it a known allergy, or one you just discovered?

[Cali]

Is new or old, I don't know because it I am unwilling to get very sick to test. I have an idea what it was, overload of MSG/surfides, but it has never been this bad.

[Jkrenzer]

13 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

The glue gives way after a while, and often there is nothing to be done.

Believe it or not epoxy actually works well. You have to be careful applying it and find a way to compress the soles while it dries. Actually putting the shoes on and standing still for a half hour, not easy, works. Another way, wrap the whole vamp tightly with shipping tape, just be  sure the glue doesn't ooze out into the tape. If all this doesn't work, oh well shoes were dead anyway. 

[mlroseplant]

10 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Believe it or not epoxy actually works well. You have to be careful applying it and find a way to compress the soles while it dries. Actually putting the shoes on and standing still for a half hour, not easy, works. Another way, wrap the whole vamp tightly with shipping tape, just be  sure the glue doesn't ooze out into the tape. If all this doesn't work, oh well shoes were dead anyway. 

It's just irritating that it happens in the first place. I've probably broke more shoes than most people have ever owned. I should make a special thread about it someday.

[Jkrenzer]

Being in North Carolina my biggest issue is the heat. Several pair have lost the bond on the soles from either walking on sun baked pavement or the few times I've left them in the vehicle with the windows up and in sunlight. 

[Cali]

This afternoon I was standing outside my house trying to determine where the sewer line might exit the property when my neighbor returned. Her 8 year old daughter jumps out and askes, "No heels?"

"No, dirting out a sewer line." 

And her mother added "not a place for nice heels."

Edited October 22, 2024 by Cali

[Jkrenzer]

Me too, expected to heels wearing by my neighbors, works for me.

[Puffer]

On 10/19/2024 at 12:42 AM, Jkrenzer said:

Believe it or not epoxy actually works well. You have to be careful applying it and find a way to compress the soles while it dries. Actually putting the shoes on and standing still for a half hour, not easy, works. Another way, wrap the whole vamp tightly with shipping tape, just be  sure the glue doesn't ooze out into the tape. If all this doesn't work, oh well shoes were dead anyway. 

I have used 'Stormsure Flexible Repair Adhesive' with some success to affix new or old heels, mend soles, waterproof seams, repair wellies/waders etc etc.   It is polyurethane-based and sets with great strength and flexibility.   Available in several colours.   It must be kept in the freezer between uses as any dampness in the air will make it go off, and that will invariably be the case when the cap is replaced.   Although UK-made, it should be available overseas, e.g. through Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stormsure-S1B-Outdoor-Adhesive-Waterproof/dp/B003V71R6A 

[Cali]

The title of this is Cali World. That's because where I live very different. For example I keep seeing some heels. On Tuesday, two women came to my lecture with 3 inch heels. And this morning a woman was walking her dog with 2.5-3 inch heels.

[Puffer]

10 hours ago, Cali said:

The title of this is Cali World. That's because where I live very different. For example I keep seeing some heels. On Tuesday, two women came to my lecture with 3 inch heels. And this morning a woman was walking her dog with 2.5-3 inch heels.

I have yet to see a dog wearing heels that high. 

[mlroseplant]

56 minutes ago, Puffer said:

I have yet to see a dog wearing heels that high. 

To be fair, they don't really need high heels, as they already walk at quite a steep angle on their forefeet.

[Cali]

Even more proof that Cali World is very different.

I was at a high level meeting with about 20 + people today, 11 women.

Two 4-inch stilettos

Three 3-inch block heels

One 4-inch wedge

Three 2-inch block heels

One kitten stiletto

One running shoe

Then, while leaving the long meeting, I saw two more women in 2.5 - 3 inch heels.

20 hours ago, Puffer said:

I have yet to see a dog wearing heels that high. 

I saw this and I know your way with words. But this was an easy 'challenge', so I Googled "dogs in high heels".

Up came hundreds of videos, tiktok, youtube, ... of dogs walking in high heels. Stores selling high heels for dogs.

So now here's your opportunity to see dogs wearing heels.

Have fun with your Google search.

[Puffer]

3 hours ago, Cali said:

...

I was at a high level meeting with about 20 + people today, 11 women.

...

So now here's your opportunity to see dogs wearing heels.

Have fun with your Google search.

I'm bound to ask whether a 'high level meeting' implies a reasonable showing of heels, as noted by you.   What were you wearing? - I'm guessing 4"+.

I was genuinely surprised to see so many 'dogs wearing heels' pics on the web; paws for thought indeed. 🤔  I could not resist adding this one, where the dog is the shoe itself!:

Edited October 25, 2024 by Puffer

[Cali]

6 hours ago, Puffer said:

I'm bound to ask whether a 'high level meeting' implies a reasonable showing of heels, as noted by you.   What were you wearing? - I'm guessing 4"+.

"high level meeting"  means executives from different groups coming together to discussion MONEY, hundreds of millions.

I went "short", 4.25 with a 0.27 platform (inch) faux suede boots with a thin (not stiletto) heel.

6 hours ago, Puffer said:

I was genuinely surprised to see so many 'dogs wearing heels' pics on the web; paws for thought indeed. 🤔  I could not resist adding this one, where the dog is the shoe itself!:

What did I tell you?  I was surprise myself. That's why I suggested to Google the phrase and see for yourselve.

You really have to love dogs to wear that 'doggie heel' above.

[Cali]

I had an interesting shoe wise day. I had 1.5 hours free in the afternoon today so I went to a large mall near work. First stop was the large Women's Macy's with a very large shoe department, saw nothing of real interest. Then over to an Aldo, nothing; then to the Steve Madden store.  While I was looking over what they had, the manager told me he "could only last 3 hours at most in heels like yours." We chatted for a few minutes and I moved on.

I looked at Norstrom's shoes, again nothing of interest. 

Walking back thru the mall, a young couple walk up to me and the guy said "i really like you heels." (I bet one day soon he will try a pair on.)

Last stop was at Forever 21, I was looking for a small chain for a Halloween costume, but they didn't have it either. Exiting the store a young girl was filling out a job application, looked up and said "I just had to stop you and tell you how much I love your heels."

Today I had a pair of Flexx straight leg jeans with over calf boots. So only a bit of the heel showed.

It has been months since I had this much interest in my foot wear, especially in less than an hour and a half.

Edited October 30, 2024 by Cali

[Shyheels]

Sounds like you’re getting some very positive feedback. I did have one question - and it may just be a matter of a typo. You wrote that  while st Steve Madden the manager said HE could manage only three hours in heels like yours. Is that correct? If so that’s kind of intriguing 

[Cali]

Yes, your eyesight is correct, it was a HE. That' part of what makes this a little different. It was a male manager and it was a male in the couple that made the remarks.

Edited October 30, 2024 by Cali

[Jkrenzer]

49 minutes ago, Cali said:

Yes, your eyesight is correct, it was a HE. That' part of what makes this a little different. It was a male manager and it was a male in the couple that made the remarks.

Right which makes the he manager a heels wearer if he knows he'd only last 3 hrs. I wouldn't have resisted the temptation to discuss why only 3 hrs with him. Running into fellow male heel wearers while wearing your own is uncommon, putting it mildly, even if at that moment he wasn't wearing heels. 

Great day, I get multiple good comments days from time to time and it is fun 

[Cali]

I was a state conference with 250+ people these last several days. Among the attendees, I saw too many to count 4 inch heels (other than mine) including several stilettos in that group, and many more low 2-3 inch heels. I only brought 3 pairs with me, two knee highs and one wedge.

We also went to a casino one night and I saw many more heels there.

My world, Cali World, has seen many, many heels the last few weeks.

[Cali]

Well it happened again. Another convert.

Last night, a women waiting for a colleague asked me how high my boots where. She had seen me in several boots and decided to get some herself. I had my Jessica Simpson black faux suede knee highs with a 1 inch platform and 4.75 inch heel. I had plan on wearing my JS suede stilettos, but it was a drizzling all day, so as the memo states, you "don't wear suede in the rain."  She had been looking at boots on-line and figure if I could wear boots with high heels, then she could too.

Another high heel convert!!!

 

[Shyheels]

Brilliant!

Mind you, what would be even more brilliant is if a guy came up to you and said the same thing! 

[Cali]

1 hour ago, Shyheels said:

Brilliant!

Mind you, what would be even more brilliant is if a guy came up to you and said the same thing! 

We can only hope. I know if I don't wear heels to work, I get a lot of questions why not. My heels are almost always visable.

(I have some sky high jeans that cover the foot.)

[Cali]

Today I stopped by a DSW store to see if my order was in. It was, but the Journey booties didn't fit. The bad news is that this DSW only has about 20% of floor space for heels, 10% men's dress and the rest sneakers (runners for you Brits).  Very, very sad.

 

So far this year I've only not worn knee highs boots to work once. I get lots of compliments on the my boots from both men and women. Random scooter shoot outs - "love those boots" or "great outfit". LOL

Today when I picked up my food at a multi-restaurant eatery, the order taker told me nice boots.

[Shyheels]

Nice to hear. Boots are a great statement I think.

[Puffer]

3 hours ago, Cali said:

... The bad news is that this DSW only has about 20% of floor space for heels, 10% men's dress and the rest sneakers (runners for you Brits).  ...

I have never heard the term 'runners' in England, although I believe that what we usually call 'trainers' (or, more formally, running shoes) are sometimes called 'runners' in Scotland and Ireland.   We don't say 'sneakers' either (although the term is understood) but a canvas 'sports' shoe would be generally called a tennis shoe, gym shoe or plimsoll.   

I digress but can't understand why (bright) white plimsolls have been so popular with both sexes in recent years - even worn with formal clothing or in a formal setting - but surely the very essence of casualness?   When I was young, any child wearing them other than for a school or sports activity would almost always be from a poor family, as plimsolls (most commonly black) could be bought for a few shillings from Woolworths and would last for a few months before being worn out or outgrown.   Rubber Wellington boots were the alternative if the weather was poor - equally cheap and quite durable but not good for the feet when worn constantly for days or even weeks, usually without socks.

[Shyheels]

I too have never heard the term “runners” used in the UK (or anywhere else) Trainers, yes, but not runners.

White plimsolls and trainers seem to be everywhere these days. I don’t get it …

[CrushedVamp]

It is not often that a forum makes a person feel ignorant and it makes the user all that much more impressed by it. In this case I had never heard of Plimsolls. I have been calling them by a different name for years… Keds.

My wife and I both wear Plimsolls/Keds of sorts, her true Keds, which in the United States was the first brand of sneakers to be made entirely for women and marketed to them. Before that shoes were primarily unisex. The ones I buy are for men, but my wife and I wear them for the same reason: comfort and variety. Since I have a thing about matching my shoe color to my pants color, nothing gives me variety in color like Keds/Plimsolls. Not only do they have a ton of color combinations (especially for my wife), but we can buy white ones and dye them at home to get any color that we want.

They have their limitations of course. Like getting wet on a rainy day, or walking through snow. And because of their construction they can dirty very easily. They are also thin so for bad backs improvement insoles may need to be worn. Still, hardly a month goes by that my wife does not have some arriving in the mail as new pairs, new colors, or replacements.

Over the years Keds/Plimsolls have ramped up and waned in popularity. Really the fashion to wear here in the USA in the 1990’s. but falling off in the 2000’s. So much so that the now late-President George Bush in the 2000’s could not find the style his wife Barbara liked. Out of desperation he wrote a letter to the company and Keds delivered 2 cases of them in her size out of mothballs free of charge to the formerly prominent man.

But Keds themselves have a following. While not safe for work, a search of “Keds Fetish” with search restrictions off will prove what I mean. Myself I must admit I have that to some degree. As my wife ages knowing Keds and High Heels alike are a turn-on for me, she will wear Keds to church with pantyhose and a dress. They are more comfortable to walk in and have colors to match her dress.

[mlroseplant]

I am awfully sure that was a brain fart on Cali's part--he knows very well what the usual British term for "sport shoe" is. Sport shoe, by the way, is what my wife always calls them, but English is not her first language. I have always called them tennis shoes, regardless of their actual design. And you have to pronounce that all in one word, "tennishoes." People in my area, particularly women, used to refer to them as "tennies." I believe "tennies" is an outdated term, but I don't know that for sure. I never talk with people about sport shoes nowadays. The subject somehow just never comes up, can you believe that? I can tell you for sure that the terms "high heels" and "heels" have not drifted or changed in meaning for fifty years.

Here is a picture of my lone pair of tennis shoes, which are actually designed to be cheerleading shoes. They appear to have a split sole, like a dancing shoe, but it's an illusion. The part between the rubber outsoles is not flexible in the least. I don't hate them, but I also haven't worn them in probably a year, since I last visited Vietnam.

[Shyheels]

I can certainly see the attraction for having canvas shoes - Keds as you call them - in whatever shade, hue or colour you fancy. I used to have a couple pair of Converse shoes - both low and high top - in pastel colours. I don’t think they make them in those shades anymore alas

[pebblesf]

On 12/13/2024 at 12:24 PM, Shyheels said:

Brilliant!

Mind you, what would be even more brilliant is if a guy came up to you and said the same thing! 

For sure.  I have had a few guys compliment my boots, and even got into a discussion with a guy about my stiletto ankle boots.  Unfortunately, he was a valet at a neighboring hotel, the conversation got cut short when a car pulled up....

I got two compliments on my Hunter boots the other day, one from a woman, the other from a guy

17 hours ago, Cali said:

Today I stopped by a DSW store to see if my order was in. It was, but the Journey booties didn't fit. The bad news is that this DSW only has about 20% of floor space for heels, 10% men's dress and the rest sneakers (runners for you Brits).  Very, very sad.

 

So far this year I've only not worn knee highs boots to work once. I get lots of compliments on the my boots from both men and women. Random scooter shoot outs - "love those boots" or "great outfit". LOL

Today when I picked up my food at a multi-restaurant eatery, the order taker told me nice boots.

Great job Cali!!