Shopping for heels: try them on?

[HeelMeNow]

I have a couple stories to tell of retail shoe shopping. Way back when, about 10 years ago, I went to The Wild Pair in Bellevue WA (in a trendy snobby upscale mall called Bell-square) and bought these killer white thigh-high leather boots with 5" heels. The store had about 5 or 6 highschool girls meandering about who didn't even notice me. I used the excuse they were for my girlfriend and whether or not the sales bimbo believed me it was cool. I was shopping with a babe who was just a friend but was as hooked on shoes as me. End of story is: purchased without any frowns or weird looks. Second jaunt was at a shoe chain that specialized in budget stuff a la Payless, but more of an outlet place, in Lynnwood WA (home of big hair!). I was with my GF and took a pair of black size 10 strappy suede sandals to the counter. I simply asked the sales chick "what's your return policy if these don't fit?" She gave me the speech and all was good. I went over to see what my GF was checking out and figured, "what the hell!". I tried them on and only freaked out one little old lady about 70 years old or so trying on disgusting "old lady flats". Other than her disdain, nobody noticed and I strutted about for five minutes or so. $9.99 + tax later they were mine. I still have them. They are Candies. Is this interesting or just run of the mill? Your comments are welcome.

[johnieheel]

My previous GF and I were in Kohls in Canton Oh trying on shoes. I put on a pair of really cool MUDD mj's and was strutting up and down the isle when a lady and her little boy of about 7 looked at me. Mom took one look at me, said, "O my Lord", grabbed her son by the hand and swooshed him away like I had a disease. We never laughed so hard. For the most part, It's really no big deal. I have tried on heels in alot of shoe stores and most people really don't care.

[alistair]

I try them on now, I used too just buy them and hope for the best, but like that you end up with lots of uncomfotable shoes. One great by product is you get the attention of pretty young women and end up as a sort of "pet" if you shop in the same branch of the chain.

[Kathiee881]

I used to always take my new shoes home to try them on, but within the past 18 to 24 months I have actually started trying on shoes (sometimes) right there in the store. Kohl's is a good place to try on shoes....just last week I tried on a pair of Nine West pumps right there in the shoe department and pranced around in front of a mirror to check out the shoes. I have tried on many pairs in Kohl's. I also tried on shoes in a Nine West store recently. The young female sales associate was very nice about it and helped me try on several pairs of heels. She even gave me advice on how the shoes would look best on me...without hose and with longer boot cut jeans. The sales associate invited me to come back anytime to shop for more shoes, and I am planning a trip to a closer NW store soon. I have also tried on heels in a Liz Claiborne outlet store. I have also gone into department stores intending to try on heels there in the shoe department, but the few female sales associates I encountered in those stores didn't even acknowledge that I was there. I'm now trying to get to the point where I am comfortable enough to try on some shoes and then actually wear them right out of the store.

[Jenny T]

Hello, Its been awhile since my last post. But I have some updates for you. Back in June I was in Virgina Beach for work and had some time off during the week. So I wen shoe shopping....what else. I found this very large shoe warehouse and it had a super selection with alot of large sizes. I ws in heaven. I shopped for over an hour. It was early in the morning (10AM) and the store only has 3 or 4 ladies shopping and 2 sales girls. I was able to try on a few pair and I then I decided to buy a pair of black 4 inch pumps. They fit really well and as I was looking at myself in the mirror one of the sales girls came by and said "they look good on you". So I decided to keep them on. I placed my shoes in the box and browsed some more. When it was time to pay I was lucky enough to get the same lady that had commented eariler. She opened the box and found my shoes and then looked over the counter at my feet, and said "So you decided to break them in". I told her I might as well. Then she asked how they fit and rang up the purchase. I paid and left the store. I did'nt look back but I know she was watching me leave. Now I was not wearing any stockings and had on 4 inch black pumps with my dress slacks so while I was walking the only part of the shoe that you could see was the toe, if you were really looking. I strolled down the plaza and found a nail salon and decided to get a pedicure. Once inside the nice Korean lady escorted me to the pedicure chair and she never noticed my shoes until I rolled up my pants legs and took off my shoes. I placed my shoes nexr to the chair. As she was washing my feet she kept talking in Korean to the other ladies in the shop. Then one by one they all walked by and took a look at my shoes. I was the talk of the store that day. Once I was finished I was taken over to a waiting area to let my feet and nails dry. The lady brought me my shoes and said to come back again. Then I put my new shoes on and left. That was a great day. I thinnk I was able to be so bold because I was in a city away from home and I was 500% sure I would not run into anyone that knew me.

[loveheel]

... I have tried on many pairs in Kohl's. I also tried on shoes in a Nine West store recently. The young female sales associate was very nice about it and helped me try on several pairs of heels. She even gave me advice on how the shoes would look best on me...without hose and with longer boot cut jeans. The sales associate invited me to come back anytime to shop for more shoes, and I am planning a trip to a closer NW store soon. I have also tried on heels in a Liz Claiborne outlet store. I have also gone into department stores intending to try on heels there in the shoe department, but the few female sales associates I encountered in those stores didn't even acknowledge that I was there. I'm now trying to get to the point where I am comfortable enough to try on some shoes and then actually wear them right out of the store.

I have similar experiences. Great service at places like Nine West or Bakers. In department stores they act like I don't exist. Even at Nordstrom, who supposedly is known for their great service, I have never been offered help, out of four visits.

Going at a quiet time, like early in the morning, is definitely the way to get help from the assistants. I find weekends and late evenings the worst times. In the evenings everyone looks tired and beaten and in the weekends the places are a zoo.

[Guest]

oh yeah, I'd say that in the morning is really the best time to shop in ANY store that sells footwear be it NORDSTROMS or STEVE MADDEN or any in between-make no mistake about it, morning's best evening the worse & yes tell all about the stores @ the mall(s) being like a complete zoo on the weekends!! middle of the week in the morning is the best time to shop, like right after they open (usually around 10:00am in most malls)

[benthere]

Uh, have to try them on. How else are you going to find out whether they fit? Most sales people, girls and guys alike, are supportive. They're in business, after all. Sort of hard to sell shoes if they're dissing the customers.

[Guest]

yes you do have a point benthere, the people that are selling the footwear to the public do NOT want to piss off any potential customers by being anything less than courteous polite AND professional demenor while @ their job.

[iloveboots]

Exactly. Never had a bad experience trying on and buying high heel Boots. My first experience trying on Boots and wearing them out of the store was when I was 15 in Las Vegas, 1972....have never looked back. david

[Griez]

few times i'w just gone on shop and tryed heels, once was sad that i has to go away, that was the worst, but it was just once...

[BobHH]

Read this column:

http://www.ocregister.com/column/look-heels-women-1796452-shoes-black

[Elegant]

It may belong in a fetish section as well. A nice soft femdom story .

[Mae]

The last pair that I bought from a department store (Sears) was a 3" pair of MUDD mules/slides. I did try them on. I recieved a few glances, but no strange looks or comments. I have no problem trying them on in a "self-service" shoe department, but do not have the nerve to go to a store where the clerk has to get the pair from the back room and watch you try them on. I have never seen a guy wear womens shoes, let alone buy them. Therefore, I still feel like an oddball when wearing or buying shoes in public. My preferred method is to order them mailorder and then return them if I do not like the look or the fit.

[micha]

The last pair that I bought from a department store (Sears) was a 3" pair of MUDD mules/slides. I did try them on. I recieved a few glances, but no strange looks or comments. I have no problem trying them on in a "self-service" shoe department, but do not have the nerve to go to a store where the clerk has to get the pair from the back room and watch you try them on. I have never seen a guy wear womens shoes, let alone buy them. Therefore, I still feel like an oddball when wearing or buying shoes in public.

My preferred method is to order them mailorder and then return them if I do not like the look or the fit.

In winter 2005/2006 I bought pink suede 3'' cowgirl boots in a Deichmann shoe shop. In Germany Deichmann is a low price shoe store like Sears or Zappos. My boots were declared as EU 42 but after trying them on with a pantyhose I was sure that they were at least a true 43. Just the right boots for a desperate big size wearer

The girl on my left had no problems with me. Sometimes she looked curious on my side and I looked friendly back. She has bought similar boots like me - but in brown leather. When a sales girl appeared who grabbed my boots for putting them back into the box, I said "Stop, these are my boots! I want to buy them". She grew on red like a tomato and she has deserved it!

[Dr. Shoe]

I know! It's so funny to catch the staff unawares. I can always tell when the Oxford St stores have new staff because they are always a little bit shocked when I walk in let alone try on a pair of stilettos.

[micha]

I know! It's so funny to catch the staff unawares. I can always tell when the Oxford St stores have new staff because they are always a little bit shocked when I walk in let alone try on a pair of stilettos.

Tara,

I'm convinced that the time will come when every female shoe seller in the Oxford Street is knowing you

But buying via Ebay is sometimes also amusing. One of my last auctions was on Essence boots from UK Ebay. A girl from London was offering them. I asked her if UK size 9 is a true size or bigger as typical for Essence. She answered that they should be wide enough for an EU size 44. After having won the auction the parcel arrived within few days. Inside a handwritten small notice "Happy heeling in Frankfurt!"

She has sent the parcel to a "Michael". Wasn't that really nice?!

[gostrydr03]

I was told by one store manager they didn't sell large sizes 10 and up to the women, but to the men for the men to wear they had no problem with that. Me, I wear anywhere from 12ww to 14 depending on maker and style I will try them on in the store before I buy. Eden

[Elegant]

Now THAT was technically discrimination of women .

[ShockQueen]

Me, I wear anywhere from 12ww to 14 depending on maker and style I will try them on in the store before I buy.

Eden

I've found this so true, especially with stores such as Payless, that seem to have more generous sizing than anyone else I've run across yet!

[blackslide]

I usually try on shoes before buying especially if they are expensive. I have owned too many shoes that were not comfortable, or the look was not what I expected. One trick I used to do is to put the shoe on the floor (my left is the usual problem fit) and then try on the shoe while looking at a different pair on the shelf. If someone comes by you can kick off the shoe and keep looking at the one on the shelf. Now I just try them on regardless of who is around. One lady at shopping at Famous Brand Shoes walked around the corner while I had on a very feminine high heeled pump on my foot. She did not even blink. It was like I belonged there. I try to make small talk when checking out. A good opening line is "I bet you don't get many guys buying shoes like this?" The answer is sometimes surprising. I had one male clerk say they sold more of a certain style of boot to guys than to gals, and this was in a store that sold only women's shoes. A Payless female clerk told me a lot of guys buy high heels, some just to have them and some to wear them. It thought that was interesting. If there is a red-neck looking guy around (shopping with a wife usually), sometimes I will take the shoes and a pair of jeans into a changing room and try them on there. I had a tough experience last week. I was in a second hand store and had found two neat pairs of shoes (Bass red 3" heel mules, and some low slides in blue jean colored fabric) when a good male friiend of mine walked up to me in the women's shoe department (he was not shoe shopping, just walking by), I with two pairs of size 10 very feminine looking shoes in my hands, and proceded to start a conversation with me. As we talked he glanced down at the shoes several times but did not say anything. Finally he gave up and I went to check out, and another of my buddies walks in the door and starts a chat. He was good for 5 minutes, all the time I had these shoes in my hand and was waiting in line to pay for them. Again there were some glances at the shoes, but no direct questions.

[loves heels]

I go to tolerant shops or tv stores so yes try them on first....

[johnieheel]

Wife and I really had a fun experience at KOHLS Sat. trying on heels in front of alot of people of all ages. Boy's with their moms, teen girls, old ladies and much more and everyone seemed to enjoy watching us try different heels. She would hand me a pair to try and I would hand her a pair to try. We know what each other likes and boy, did we have a blast watching them watching us. Just have fun. That the main key.

[Bernheels]

Hey great experience! I went to Payless on Sunday just before they closed. Tried on a couple of pairs of pumps and wedges. Felt great to walk around and try on the different styles. The gals just watched and smiled. When I checked out one of the pairs wasn't a wide width and I asked the one gal if they had them in wide. She ran over to the display counter and said she just put them out there. She handed them to me - I tried them on and then bought both pairs. I loved it and so did they. Yes to just doing it! Bernheels

[shyguy]

Don't know if this really counts here, but was shopping with my wife recently, and started looking for new shoes for me to wear (I don't wear heels outside the house and my wife disapproves a little of them anyway for anyone who doesn't know). Anyway after I had tried on a few pairs in the mens section of a shop and found nothing I liked my wife said to try looking at the ladies flat shoes. Whilst there I saw 2 pairs I liked which my wife agreed weren't feminine, but we weren't sure if they'd fit. I slid off my shoes, as my wife groaned I tried the first pair on, no good though. Then we moved round the store far from the mens shoes, and I tried a pair with a slightly higher wedge heel on. No one siad anything although I think I saw a look of bewilderment on another (female) shoppers face as I tried them on. Neither pair fitted but it was an experience trying on "womens" shoes for the first time in a shop.

[muddypaws]

I'm not sure how everybody else buys their heels but for me being a self tagged closet CD I usually buy my heels either online and sometimes right on the store but without trying them on.

My question is: do you usually try the heels you are about to buy at the store or do you buy by guessing the size and then exchange them for the appropriate size if they don't fit?

For those who buy at the store what is the usual reaction you get from other shoppers and the sales people?

Tiffany[/quote

]

There is no question. Do it. Go in try them on, walk about if you want to, look in the floor mirrors to see how good they are.

If there are other customers, take no notice, they won't notice you.

I always , nowadays go into the shop look at anything that takes my fancy and if I WANT it, try on etc. I often walk in them to the checkout, and take them off there to pay. I have not as yet walked out in my new shoes, but when I went in on Saturday, I found a gorgeous pair, which I did all this. I decided not to buy. I already have 12 pairs, and have no space left to store them. The shop is next door (150 yds) from Sainsburys, where I had shopping to do. I was determined to do my shopping in the new ones, but I opted out in the end. (chicken?). No not really, I am getting bolder. I did realise the other day that I must get some longer slacks, 33" leg instead of my regular 29" for when I wear my heels, never ?? less than 3 3/4" heels, mostly 4". Then I would be more properly dressed.

Muddypaws.

[johnieheel]

If there is a red-neck looking guy around (shopping with a wife usually), sometimes I will take the shoes and a pair of jeans into a changing room and try them on there. This is when I have the most fun. I love wearing heels or trying them on around people that live in a red neck box. They are fewer than you think.People have been telling me all my life what is and what isn't right because of stupid tredition. Now it's my turn to have fun with it. lol

[Katrina]

I just bought a cute pair of purple shoes at a Baker's. The sales ladies were very friendly and were giving me advice (I asked for it) as to what to wear with them. She said that she had the same pair in black and purple. I should probably get a job there so I can get a discount!

[loveheel]

I have had many great experiences at Bakers. The store managers are usually very helpful. On my last trip she brought all kinds of shoes on sale out from the back for me to try on. As I get a bit older I find less and less my style there, but I still buy quite a lot. Probably have about 30 pairs from Bakers. They have the discount card ($25/year ?) which gives you the 10% on all purchases. I used to have it for a few years. It was worth it then.

[Heel-Lover]

I had an interesting experience when trying on shoes at a closing down sale a week ago. I stumbled upon the sale when I was passing by so I went in looking for some running shoes. I was wearing a knee length grey pencil skirt and the heels in the pic attached. The shop was very small and packed full of people trying shoes either with or without the help of the sales people. I had a saleswoman get me two styles of trainers in my size and I sat down at one of the fitting seats and slipped my pumps off, and left them there on the floor while I tried out the trainers. Everyone was squeezed in side by side trying out shoes. While walking to and fro I saw a girl (20-ish most likely) who had been trying out heaps of styles professionally flick her foot into one of my pumps as she was standing there. She stood up on it and back down and up on it again and rocked it around. Naturally it was a bit too large and she picked it up along with its partner. At this stage I had to interrupt in fear of loosing the shoes etc...by which time she had noticed the wear on the soles and the tip toes petals. She said she just wanted to try them on and said she didn't believe they were mine since guys don't wear heels (she was playing I think). I pointed out to here that I already had a skirt on and foot jewellery so it would logically follow that they could be mine. She had a laugh and said they felt good on. The sales person asked if the trainers fitted ok, I told her that I would take them. She then grabbed the shoe box and the other girl handed my pumps to the saleswoman who said she would go and pack them up and start the sale process. Hang on I had to say, I am not walking out of here with trainers on, please give me my high heels back and give me a second to take these trainers off. So I swapped over and put the heels back on my feet. Quite a few people had gathered during the course of my shopping and were watching, and I had an audience as I left the shop. I noticed a lot of people who had hung around etc... The shop was on the main street and I had to walk 2 blocks down this street for a start. There was nothing to do other than rise to the challenge and walk away (hopefully not break a heel in a crack in the pavement). Halfway down the road I met up with the same girl who said hi again and told me that I walked really well in the shoes and she didn't know how i did it. It is actually quite hard to carry stuff in one hand only and walk in heels with even stride etc..and nobody had anything negative/ narrow minded to say!! Overall an exhilarating experience! Heel-Lover