Seen out and About

[VirginHeels]

9 minutes ago, Puffer said:

My observations about 'northern women' particularly relate to the Tyneside and Glasgow areas.   It was certainly more obvious there that shorter (but not necessarily slimmer!) women prefer heels and that 'dressing up' was more common, and likely more traditional/expected, even for fairly routine activity such as work or shopping.   The current observations of VirginHeels bear this out.   Frankly, I get the distinct impression that few women in the south can be bothered to make an effort unless they are attending a really dressy event, in which case expensive designer clothes will often be present, but not necessarily an improvement on high street fashions.

This is exactly this. I think anywhere north of say Manchester women want to get a little dressier, a little classier to feel good. They want to let their hair down, they want to feel special.

Im not sure about Birmingham, that’s an area where the culture clashes a bit. London, it’s different from my limited observations. They only want to go out when it’s a gala ball, go out with a gown on, or go out to get something to eat and show all their “drip” as the youth will say.  Show their designer clothes.

Up here, it’s common for women to wear a pair of red soles or ankle boots with a pair of Primark or H&M jeans and a white or black t shirt for going for “a girls lunch” or even to their workplace for one of their office days when they are meeting someone at night for dinner.

Not going to lie, the amount of flat shoes is the non noisy majority.

I think there’s a socio-economic reason too, the people who are in traditional areas where how much people earn to what they wear to be studded too. The people who  are less well off areas just want to dress nice to escape and have some fun. It’s why I like to go to concerts, go to the Theatre and see a musical or see something different. It’s a chance to dress up a little, and escape what was my home life. My home situation has now changed now and want to go out more and dress up more.

[Shyheels]

I passed through London one day last year - via Kings Cross and Waterloo stations - and was startled to see many women in towering stilettos - so many that I began wondering what was going on. I found out it was Ascot. Only time I’ve ever seen anywhere near that many heels in London - or anyplace else for that matter.

[VirginHeels]

Festival of Remembrance too. That’s later on, there will be heels there.

It’s funny as when you say Ascot, it’s similar here for Ayr Races. Glasgow Central to Ayr is full of people dressed up to the nines going to have a good time. Theres about a mile walk from the train station at Ayr to the Racecourse.

On such occasions, its nice to hear the click click on the hard floor in Central.

[higherheels]

@VirginHeels Wow I'm very surprised about your sights! I can't even remember when I last seen something in the range of 12 cm heels worn out, even on events. 

 

4 hours ago, VirginHeels said:

They walked fluidly, elegant and with bent knees.

Did you mean without bent knees?

Because if they'd walk with bent knees it probably won't be fluidly and elegant 😉

[Shyheels]

I was thinking that too - bent knees is not a good sign. 

[VirginHeels]

Maybe I was mistaken. They looked like models to be honest. Looked like they had spent the last decade wearing 120mm heels.

[Shyheels]

If they’d been living in 12cm heels they’d be straightening their knees. It’s part of learning to walk well in heels - something I’m still working on in my 12cm stiletto boots 

[higherheels]

Absolutely - if one can't straighten it's knees it's always a sign that the heel is too high.

I always think it's better to choose a lower heel if that's the only thing you can handle right (or first practice with the higher ones at home), but nevertheless I have respect for everyone wearing out really high heels. Everyone started at some point and it takes practice.

[Shyheels]

Although I’ve not mastered my 12cm heels yet, I can stand with straight knees in them and can straighten them when I walk. That part is fine. I am just clumsy in them - or clumsier than I would want to be! I feel like I am clomping around

[higherheels]

I'd say being able to straighten the knees while standing and walking are the basics.

Of course you can also walk with bent knees, but as it can be seen by your (and also my) experience, even if the basics are covered it can still be difficult.

[Shyheels]

1 hour ago, higherheels said:

I'd say being able to straighten the knees while standing and walking are the basics.

Of course you can also walk with bent knees, but as it can be seen by your (and also my) experience, even if the basics are covered it can still be difficult.

Yes! There is quite an art to this. I think that’s one of the things I find so appealing about it. Heels not only have a mystique and are aesthetically pleasing - especially 12cm stilettos - but require skill to wear well. It makes them special. I want to acquire this skill!

[Cali]

I was out traveling to a 400-450 person conference this past. Flew in early (and in my JS knee high) and had dinner with a friend I had not seen in several years. While at dinner a woman walked by in what I would say were 12 cm pointed-toed bejeweled stiletto sandals. Just gorgeous. 

At the conference itself the leader wore some very tall stiletto pumps (several during the conference)..over 13 cm...but then she is tall and I bet has size 13 us or 45-46 eu

More on heels and this trip in CaliWorld in a few days after I rest.  But a tip bit, flew back in faux leather pants and JS knee highs. 15 hour day, meetings and flights.

[mlroseplant]

15 hours ago, Shyheels said:

Although I’ve not mastered my 12cm heels yet, I can stand with straight knees in them and can straighten them when I walk. That part is fine. I am just clumsy in them - or clumsier than I would want to be! I feel like I am clomping around

 

14 hours ago, higherheels said:

I'd say being able to straighten the knees while standing and walking are the basics.

Of course you can also walk with bent knees, but as it can be seen by your (and also my) experience, even if the basics are covered it can still be difficult.

This is a point of great interest to me. Having studied many walks, both in person and on video, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that it is not 100% necessary to have a locked straight knee when walking, like a latin dancer would do. It's just a question of how much bend is there in the leading knee, and for how long is it slightly bent. I have not yet reduced this to an exact formula. Naturally, the length of the stride is a key component of the equation.

[Shyheels]

I think it’s the kind of bend in the knee that indicates a struggle for assured balance and an element of uncertainty. Like people bending over slightly when they are learning to skate instead of standing upright.

Learning to walk in heels does remind me a bit of learning to skate.

[higherheels]

@mlroseplant You really studied many walks it seems!

I agree with you, and I didn't mean that you should walk with a totally straight knee all the time.

Only if you're unable to straighten the knees at any time it's a sign that the heel is too high.

[VirginHeels]

Well. Last nights report was pretty much a bust barring one woman in 105mm pointy toe stiletto boots was all low and mid heels, no higher than 65mm tops. I took trainers as I was told by a friend that the pathways outside the venue were mush and mud from a friend. Glad I did as some clown spilled a beer or cider over my foot.

However Glasgow was dressed very nicely. Even the guys. That was nice to see. 

[Shyheels]

No point in ruining nice heels in mud and puddles. That’s pretty much all I have when I step off my boat - a rough and muddy towpath for a good mile into town. It does cut down on heel wearing…

Your story about the spilled beer reminded me of some advice John Wayne once gave an up and coming actor: never wear suede shoes. His reason - and it sounds like it came from experience - was that when your famous and you go into a men’s room, someone is going to recognise you when your standing beside them at the urinal, and turn suddenly in their excitement, forgetting where they are, and exclaim “my gosh you’re John Wayne!” And pee all over your shoes