Do you like to be different?

[Firefox]

I supose this question can be looked upon at many different levels. Shoes, clothes, and life in general.

Many people are life's conformers. No matter what the subject, they don't like to stand out. There's nothing wrong with that approach, and indeed, I'm sure many people draw some comfort from it.

I'd guess most people here would not fit in that category. Individuality in style or persona is more important to how they see themselves. This would be true of most heel wearers I'd think. There may be some fashion clones when a particular type of heel is "in", but I reckon our board members follow their chosen heeled styles regardless of such influences.

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Firefox on 2002-05-31 00:45 ]</font>

[azraelle]

I read somewhere recently that humans have to indulge in some form of risk-taking behavior in order to remain sane. For some, it may be riding a motorcycle without a helmet (or WITH one for that matter), for others, it may be as simple as risking what the reaction might be if they say something a little "off" to their spouse/S.O. With me, it is seeing just how far I can go wearing something that I know is feminine, but everyone else doesn't, quite, suspect. With Anagram...Francis...Laurie..et al-- to rephrase a phrase: "We all have to be ourselves, no one else can do it"; or, "If it is to be it is up to me." _________________ Hi-Heeled Boots, Bodysuits, and Back-Zipper Pants R wikkid-kool (on me, or U)! <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: azraelle on 2002-05-30 10:48 ]</font>

[azraelle]

On 2002-05-30 05:47, Firefox wrote:

...There may be some fashion clones when a particular type of heel is "in", but I reckon our board members follow their chosen heeled styles regardless of such influences.

I would if I could, but the heel styles that I fell in love with in college (the first time around) were those, for example, that appeared on the back of the Fleetwood Mac album "Dreams" (I think that was the title) that Christine McVie was wearing, or on the 2nd ABBA album. Unfortunately, such styles are impossible to come by now, in women's size 12W or 13B, unless I've got ~$600 or so to get a completely custom-made pair of boots, which I've never had. So, one has to make do with what is available.

[Dexter23]

You could have some thing there FF. But I do think that a lot of people here (me to) whould stil be wearing shoes with heels if it was generaly accepted to do so. Hopefully that day comes soon.

[DesertHeeler]

Yeah, I don't wear heels to be different, but because I want to.

[Laurieheels]

I wear heels because it's my addiction. I like it. It just happens to suit my little freaky ideas of refusing to conform. Be different, be better. I think the non confortmity aspect fuels the height in my heels, and in turn, I am used to higher heels, addicted to them, and wear them more, furthering the non conformity. It's like a cycle. It's based on many parts, after all, so saying "I do this because of X" can't always apply for me.

[Dexter23]

You gal's got it pritty easy when it comes to wearing heels. Nobody will ever coment you on them. So you can wear them all the time, and so you can practise in them a lot so you can wear high heels. As for men like me who only wear heels for some times a day/week, the higher ones are almost imposseble. I can just stand on 5" but walk now way !! (don't forget I have a size 11)

[Firefox]

Actually that is not true Dexter. I didn't really want this to degenerate into another, oh pity us poor guys, we can't wear heels thread, but since it's come up... The fact of the matter is that just because they don't sell heels specifically for guys, it doesn't mean to say it's not socially acceptable. In fact in our countries, it is perfectly socially acceptable. Most people don't give a toss, and the few that do are not worth speaking to anyway. I've been doing it in public for well over 15 years now, and every guy I've spoken to who has also taken the plunge wishes he did it before. Anyway, that said, I hoped we could discuss if we like to be different. That includes girls as well, becuase women who wear 4 inch plus heels are different to the norm too. (It's just that men are more different!)

[Dexter23]

Do you realy think so ?? The fact is (grant you that) that since I have been wearing heels outside not a single person I, have seen who noticed my shoes, talked in a bad way to me about the shoes. Maybe it is just the thought of being TO diffirent that scares me. I don't know. Somtimes maybe i don't want to be diffirent and just want to be "like everyboy else".

[Firefox]

Don't be scared, Dexter. Society wants people to conform in general, and indeed brainwashes you to do so as good hardworking taxpaying citizens make things tick. However, so long as your manner of being different does no harm to others then go for it. Society and the media can't cover all the exceptions Anyway, if someone does ever comment in an overly witty/sarcastic manner on my footwear, this is my favourite reply which has stopped a few jokers dead in their tracks: "If everyone were the same, what a boring place the world would be, and if they were all the same as you, it would be even more boring!"

[ShockQueen]

There really isn't anyone who is "too different" these days. We are all our own people, and no one can change that. The only person who can make one change is ones-self. Never fear being different from the crowd. If we were all the same, it would truly be WAY too boring for my taste.

[Dexter23]

"If everyone were the same, what a boring place the world would be, and if they were all the same as you, it would be even more boring!"

good one, have to remember that one, might come handy sometimes.

[loveheel]

Really interesting question. While I have always been interests in heels, my heel wearing got bolstered when I didn't mind being different anymore. I am one of these people that did everything in life that was expected from me, and now it just got a little boring. I wear heels regularly but not at work. I am still quite woried about the negative consequences it can bring with it in a work environment. This may depend very much on the type of work

[Dexter23]

Just go for it and wear your heels to work. I have worn heels also more and more lately, But last friday i wore them to work, and yep you guessed it nobody told me a thing about them. Okay there not the highest there are but it's a start, In a few weeks I plan to buy some 3.5" or 4" blade knee boots and wear them a lot outside, I think there will be more responces from others on my shoes, but I don't care. These are the ones I am wearing now mostly. <img src= "http://62.45.41.235/pictures/6-cm.jpg">

[Yamyam]

On 2002-06-01 17:18, loveheel wrote:

I wear heels regularly but not at work. I am still quite woried about the negative consequences it can bring with it in a work environment. This may depend very much on the type of work

I know the problem. I'm not office based, I work mainly at customer sites, and for an extremely conservative company. I don't think heels at work will ever be an option for me in this job. I think that the consequence for me, at least, would be immediate dismissal.

But you never know. As you say, depends on the job and the company.

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Yamyam on 2002-06-01 22:55 ]</font>

[Charlie]

I'm the most normal person I know. It's everybody else that's screwed up! Charlie

[JeffB]

Do I see myself as being different? In the very beginning I did because I was indulging in an activity that was seen as being "outside" the norms of today's society. And it was because of that mindset that I was initally nervous, if not petrified about wearing heels in public. But now I see myself as being perfectly in regards to what I do. I don't seek to be different or rebellious or anything like that. I simply made a choice that I was going to wear the shoes I really like to wear and to hell with what the rest of the world thought. If society wants to say I'm being different, so be it. I say I'm just being me, and that's more than good enough.

[viktoriaheels]

What is different? What is normal? Wearing high heels isn't the mainstream fashion. Wearing them will therefor catch the eyes of many people. And they are definitly a sex symbol. But who wants to be mainstream - i want to be myself, to live like it suits me best, at least with the fetishes I prefer. Otherwise I am a very sensible human being, not as selfish as it may sound.

[Jezebel]

I enjoy being myself, and I like to be different!!

[Highluc]

As you can see in the pictures below I am different as most on the streets, but it's really me. This feels natural and good to me. I do not dress that way to be different but to be myself. By the way the boots are my BK9, the ankle lenght jeans skirt is the one I bought in Portugal (see diary on my website for more details). The place the pics were taken was the Avenue Louise in Brussels on 11 jul 2002 during my sales shopping trip. This is the upper class shopping district in Brussels. Any comments on this outfit from the guys or girls?

[Francis]

very nice Luc! seem that the guy in the non coordinating grey suit is paying more than a passing interest :-)

[darkstar]

well, I hope not to bore anyone here, being a non-HH wearing male, but all the same, here's my opinion on being different. I think there is a small part of me that has remained from my rebelious teenage years that didn't want to conform. But mostly now, if I happen to be 'different' from the mainstream, it's not because I'm trying to be or want to be, it's simply because I happen to like things or think a little diffently from the majority. Don't get the wrong idea though, anybody that actively tries to be different - go for it, all the power to you. I did too for a few years, you should have seen my hs wardrobe. Everyone in my school (late 80s) was doing the preppy thing while I was wearing black clothing, pointy shoes (not HHs) and listening to "alternative" music. As I said, I don't wear HHs, so I'll have to relate to this subject in a different way. Fashion/clothing wise, I do enjoy shopping for clothes, however, if anyone were to see my wardrobe, you'd immediately recognize that I'm pretty mainstream in my appearance. I think it's because I'm the kind of person that doesn't like to attract attention, rather prefering to blend into the crowd. I avoid the spotlight. Having said that, I think I there are other aspects of life that I think my beliefs are different from the majority of society's. For instance, for me, I'm not interested in marriage. It doesn't sound rational to me. I have no problem with lifelong committments, it's the tradition and ceremony of marriage that seems illogical to me. And I also have no intention on spawning miniature duplicates of myself. Just not interested. I still don't like 95% of Top 40 music either. It would seem that most people I know are getting married and having kids or already have done so. Now whether they sincerely chose to do so or did because it's the 'normal' thing to do in life is the question. I would hope that it was something they put some thought into and elected upon because they really wanted to do rather than just do something because that's what they figured you're supposed to do. <shudder>

[Van]

To Highluc : Tu fais fort, fieu ! I'm impressed. The funny thing is that around the same time i was walking around, in heels, looking at the shops Chaussée de Wavre and Chaussée d'Ixelles , then Rue Neuve (C&A) ! I must confess that i was dressed a bit more "conservative". I wish we had met. Would have been fun ! How do people react when they see you in this outfit ? Do you go in shops ? Any comments ? Last question : who did take the picture ? Your wife ? Mine would kill me if i'd dare to ask. Unfortunately i didn't stay long in Belgium. Had to go to UK then back to work. Always on the move. Cheers, Vanessa

[Highluc]

Hi Vanessa, It indeed is a pitty we didn't meet that day. Next time you are in the country please drop me an e-mail, I'm interested in that chaussée de Wavre store but have no clue where it is and you might point me out some other stores I don't know. The picture was taken by my Dutch friend and you will be able to read all about it on my next update of my website. Besides taking some pictures, he also shot some moving images of me in my new jeans boots in the centre of Hasselt on a crowded afternoon. Of course we go in the shoe stores and try styles. To my surprize I got very little reaction to my outfit. The long delay in answering was caused by a broken pc and a two week holiday in Corsica (in sarong and platform sandals).

[JeffB]

Yo, Highluc! That outfit you wore was mondo cool! And the boots looked great! Were they blades or standard spikes? Anyway, more power to you, my friend!

[Highluc]

Thanks for the compliments JeffB, the boots are my Italian purchased stretch stilettos and you can see a better picture of those on the knee high picture page under BK9 on my website http://walk.to/highluc