Shopping for heels: try them on?

[loveheel]

I just bought two pairs at Nine West a few days ago. They had a great sale. I tried at least five pairs on. Sales girl was super helpful. Very supportive. I chatted with another women and even tried on the same pair she was trying on. Ended up buying that pair and wearing it out of the store. After that I went to First, which is part of the Aldo company. As soon as came in the sales girls complimented me on my shoes, even though I was wearing long jeans with them. The absolutely wanted me to try on some of their boots and I happily obliged :-) I ended up not buying there since they didn't have my size, but definitely one great experience. One thing I find is that I start out these shopping trips with limited confidence. But once I go into the stores and find supportive staff, my confidence rises and I proudly wear my heels. For those of you who haven't done it yet, go for it. Trying on heels in stores, like anyone else, is so much fun.

[Amanda]

Hmm, forgive me for posting in the guys only thread again but. I prefer to try shoes on in the store. I make a note of them and then buy them online at home. I have bought shoes online without seeing them but often it's not worth the hassle when it comes to returning them if they don't fit. I imagine for guys it's not so comfortable to brows in high street shops. I think that's a shame but from reading all the posts here then maybe you guys can change that. I wish you luck.

[shyguy]

Thank you for your post Amanda, it's nice to hear a womans view, and a supportive one.

[pumpedup]

My obsession with pumps is one that will most likely always stay with me, for life. Having said that, it's a personal thing, and a secret thing, as well. I will gladly go into women's shoe stores and look at, and buy pumps, but i will never try them on in the stores. It's my personal fetish of wearing women's shoes, and it's something i wouldn't do in public, unless it were halloween, which would be a pretty good way to wear pumps out on the streets without feeling uneasy. Lots of other guys on here feel differently, and to each his own. It's my own little fetish, and it stays private and personal with me.

[iibb]

Today i have buy this 2 pairs of boots in a store . My size is 42EU 8UK 11US. I dont try the boots in the store.

[JNR]

Of the two pairs, I like the brown pair the best. You won't have any problems wearing them out and about in public.

[iibb]

the brown boots are very confortly is not a stiletto heel . With a long jeans i think i can go out in public??

[iibb]

the brown boots are very confortly is not a stiletto heel . With a long jeans i think i can go out in public??

[Milan_Heels]

They look very nice iibb - good looking and not over-the-top design, best of luck if you get out in them. Let us know how you do.

[JNR]

the brown boots are very confortly is not a stiletto heel

With a long jeans i think i can go out in public??

I noticed in a comment that you posted on another thread, you wrote that you wore them while riding your motorcycle. Isn't that wearing them in

public?

That comment surprised me because in a post from yesterday, you stated that you just bought two new pair of boots. one paire which was the boots mentioned here.

Today i have buy this 2 pairs of boots in a store . My size is 42EU 8UK 11US. I dont try the boots in the store.

[iibb]

I noticed in a comment that you posted on another thread, you wrote that you wore them while riding your motorcycle. Isn't that wearing them in

public?

That comment surprised me because in a post from yesterday, you stated that you just bought two new pair of boots. one paire which was the boots mentioned here.

Hi JNR, first my english is not so good, for the moment i never driving on motocycle with heeled boots ,but i do it in the next season,in my county the next season beginns in 3 mounths

[verngentleheels]

Just want to confirm for everyone that it is true - people don't notice until you bring attention to it. Today I went onto a small shoe store in the Great Mal (Milpitas near San Francisco) and the female sales clerk asked if I was looking for something for my wife (I was in full black leather: pants, shirt, and jacket and 5" stacked heels with 1/2" platforms - people usually assume you are gay when so dressed). I said no, I'm looking for me and showed her me heels by lifting my pants leg. She said: "Cooooool. Love them!" Unfortunetly I tried a few pairs but nothing really fit. She acted like a guy completely dressed in black leather and trying on high heels was the most normal thing. Vern

[highheellover]

nice boots iibb.

[hh4evr1]

I have tried on all my thicker heeled boots in the shop.

[rmaciej1983]

Yes, i always try heels in the shop. Often i go to store even if i don't have cash. Just try them. Because it's great fun. I have large choice, lot of time and i can try every model. Sometimes saleswomen are helping me. I can't forget about one situation. I went to the store and noticed that saleswoman was wearing high heeled boots (black sitiletos). I was in cowboy boots (3'' heel). I wanted to put on stiletos and show myself . That's stupid, but i did it. I look at pair of black pumps. She asked: - Can i help? - Is there size 41? - No. Only 40. - Can i try 40? - Yes, please - she gave me this shoes. I haven't any problems with trying them on in shops. But i had in the past.

[Griez]

yeah nice boots iibb i specially like that 1st(black) would like to find something similar for me also to the topic: well i'm sometime going and trying, but unfortunately they all ways are a way too low size... last time i just bought and used some sharp items to make them fit for me maybe its even more dangerous then normal fitting size shoes, but at least i can wear em ;)they are 8cm stiletto boots with bronze color very nice look, my best friend even sad(mostly he sad that i look strange be4) that they look fine, only he sad also that i look too big as it he is short guy(if i would got his shoe size i would be happy) and my grandma also wont say anything bad about them

[rmaciej1983]

yeah nice boots iibb i specially like that 1st(black) would like to find something similar for me also

to the topic: well i'm sometime going and trying, but unfortunately they all ways are a way too low size... last time i just bought and used some sharp items to make them fit for me maybe its even more dangerous then normal fitting size shoes, but at least i can wear em ;)they are 8cm stiletto boots with bronze color very nice look, my best friend even sad(mostly he sad that i look strange be4) that they look fine, only he sad also that i look too big as it he is short guy(if i would got his shoe size i would be happy) and my grandma also wont say anything bad about them

I have problems with sizes too. Wearing 45 EU. In normal shops i can buy only 42 (often only 41!). So they are too small for me and it could be painfull. If they are lather shoes, i can resize them and it help.

In future i will buy heels by the internet, but this is not the same. I like when saleswoman is giving me shoes and i'm trying them in shop. Like a normal client.

You live in LV. So we are neighbors . West and west-central Europe... Dark ages .

[johnieheel]

Wife and I went out shoe shopping today and we both tried on heels in every store we went to. No problem at all. It was much fun picking out shoes for each other to try on.

[roniheels]

Like Bootking, when I go to an exotic boutique, you're asked if you would like to try them on and if you would like to wear them out. I always do both. There are other stores that give you a funny look even when you're just looking at a pair of high heels, much less touching them or trying them on. iibb, where did you get those georgous boots? Did you get them at a local store or did you get them on-line? Those are really sweet!

[Bootking]

I went to Nine West Outlet and DSW today to see what they had. I was wearing knee high Colin Stuart brown snakeskin boots with a 4" stiletto heel and had to take them off to try on other stuff.

In Nine West there was only the salesgirl, no one else and she didn't bother me except to say hello when I walked in. Same at DSW except there were a lot more people in there, staff and customers. Although people noticed, no one said anything.

This was the first time that I tried on women's shoes in in the store in years except for the fetish store.

[5.5 Thrill]

I have tried on shoes and boots in these stores so far: DSW, Nine West, Shoe Pavillion, Wal-Mart, Sears, Famous Brand shoes, and Coastal Farm (high heeled womens cowgirl boots). Except for Coastal (no help wanted) all the employees were friendly and helpful. One little gal was suprised but OK with it, she had only worked there a week. What has suprised me is that most af the employees say "I don't know how you can wear those, I have tried them and they have to high a heel for me" My response; practice, practice, practice! AND the question "do you REALLY want to wear high heels? If you do, start low and work your way to where you are comfortable and enjoy." PS: My avatar shoes are mine now. I need a place to display my collection on this sight. Have fun. Thrill!!!

[joelheels]

There is a really good shoe store in Sydney called Pulp Shoes. i have tried shoes and boots on b4. the first time i did it i tried on 3 inch knee high boots, but i was so nervous i only tried one boot on and the sales girl said they get alot of guys trying on womens shoes. i have since been back and nothing has been said.

[fastfreddy2]

I've been giving this issue some thought, and decided to post the following:

Copied from a longer post here.

When we arrived at Aldo, it was suggested I go in alone. I waited until the shop was empty, and gently coaxed her inside. [Possibly a mistake.] I walked up to a younger girl assistant and asked to try on some woman's shoes. [Her face scarlet before I spoke BTW.] No problem was the reply, which ones and what size? I pointed out the mules I'd seen elsewhere, and some black patent courts [that looked like these] with a higher heel than some of the others there.

Minutes later I got to try on the courts. Fitted really well, but were a bit tight on the toes. [Just like Pleasers.] But I walked around the (empty) shop in them, showing off my heeling prowess. Not sure how many shoppers walking past saw .... but wearing those courts was quite a pleasant experience.

The mules were a different matter. Because my feet were hot and a little damp, [five hours walking in ankle boots], I couldn't get the mules on. I tried using a hose ankle sock which allowed my foot in, but then made my foot so loose it fell straight out of the shoe again. I did successfully remove the socks from both feet while wearing the mules, but it took what seemed like too long to do. By the time I finished, I was scarlet faced. [The assistant had long since gone back to her natural skin colour.] The mules were comfortable, but the left shoe kept skewing sideways for some reason. I didn't buy either pairs, and the assistant looked as disappointed as I did. [i've no reason to suspect there was Sales Commission lost.]

As we walked away, my wife remarked she was getting even more uncomfortable with watching me try woman's shoes on, and I had to agree I wasn't happy in these circumstances either. I don't mind trying on shoes if left alone, but I'm unhappy with someone watching over me while I decide. [i'll be making further comment on the "Do you try shoes on?" thread later.] On balance, I've decided I'm not trying on shoes in shops again. It doesn't work for me, as I like to try on shoes with both hot and cool feet, and I also like to wear them for 10 or so minutes <at least> to assess how suitable they are. Trying on shoes in the shop has the potential to embarrass others too, so unless I have a desperate need to try some on, I'll not be doing it again.

The issues I see in trying on shoes in shops are:

Q.1 Am I brave enough to ask?

A.1 I'm certainly brave enough to ask, provided I'm not in my home town, or close to it.

Q.2 Will I get a good reaction from the Sales staff?

A.2 Reaction from Sales staff seems to be consistently "good" overall.

Q.3 What might be the reaction of other shoppers?

A.3 I've not experienced any adverse reaction to date from other men shoppers, and I'm not sure I've even been noticed by other women shoppers trying on shoes. But if I'm escorted, the person with me hasn't felt that comfortable watching, and this is true of either of my two escorts.

Q.4 Are there any benefits to trying in the shop?

A.4 So far, they have been few, and none positive. I can decide not to buy more quickly because the shoe is noticably too small, but I've yet to find a 'must have pair' based on an instant find/try/purchase. As I mention in the text above, (and mentioned elsewhere too) I'm much happier trying shoes/boots with cool feet in the comfort of my own home. Not because I can't or won't try them elsewhere, but there seems little or no benefit to doing so.

The conclusion I've drawn is that on-line sales are better. I get upto 14 days to decide, and don't have to travel. There is a cost implication; carriage to me (usually quite reasonable) and of course return carriage (usually a tad expensive compared). But then visiting these shops doesn't come free either. My visit to Lakeside cost me £12 in fuel alone. It's a two hour round trip if travelled outside of the two 'rush' periods, and a hot or cold drink is always required adding £2-£4 to the costs. Total postal carriage costs are less expensive compared by about 30% and I save myself at least 2 hours travelling on the notoriously slow M25 motorway.

So: I've tried it, but it doesn't work for me.

...

[thedesigner]

i sometimes try them on, sometimes cant be bothered, but now ive had enough. Got some 5" ninewest canvas heels size 7 - too big; now her daughter got for me when she was in town, at my request, some white patent peeptoe heels, size 7. Now I always get patents one size bigger cos they dont give, but these 7's are too big, so i have to get a 6; so sod it, always try them from now on, the size varies so much.. got some kg blue patents, size 7, but even then unwearable so went on ebay... Not worried about trying them on instore, maybe its the purple tights tho... lol Keep 'em high !

[loveheel]

I went to Nine West Outlet and DSW today to see what they had. I was wearing knee high Colin Stuart brown snakeskin boots with a 4" stiletto heel and had to take them off to try on other stuff.

In Nine West there was only the salesgirl, no one else and she didn't bother me except to say hello when I walked in. Same at DSW except there were a lot more people in there, staff and customers. Although people noticed, no one said anything.

This was the first time that I tried on women's shoes in in the store in years except for the fetish store.

That is great. I feel that on-line shopping just can't compare with in-store. THe interaction with the sales people and sometimes with other shoppers makes it just so much more fun. I often get tips and suggestions from the people. Once I was trying on exactly the same shoes as another shopper and she admitted I looked better in them ! I rarely ever buy online.

I also feel we have to get away from our embarrassement. It is just shoes !

[aussieheels1]

i have to say i have never tried them on in a shop but would think that the experience would be very liberating.... i have ventured into shopping centres and shops in (relatively discreet) heels before and have enjoyed the experience, but I think trying on the shoes may be drawing more attention than i'm ready for at this stage... as everyone have stated, i know that the sales people will be helpful (afterall, the customer is always right).... and people in general may probably notice but won't comment (due to human nature).... so there's no real issue with trying them on except for my comfort level of doing so... i may do it one day but defninite not at the moment....

[thighboots]

I have not tired shoes on in the shop, I hav brought them in store but as per some other comments have gone along the 'They are a gift, if you does not like them can she bring them back' line. I have been more confident rescently though when I phoned a shoe shop and asked if they had a particular style of shoes I wanted in a size 9, they said yes. I arranged for them to put them to one side for me and went to collect them. The female assistant was very kind and helpful, in fact I had decided (as the shop only had two other customers) if she asked me if I wanted to try them on (as I had made it very clear they were for me) I was going to say YES! But guess what - she did not ask! So you never know - I dont think I would seek the opportunity out, however if it was offered I would take it!

[thedesigner]

I'm other 6 or 7 depending.... so try them on !! Bored with taking 7's back as fall off....

[loswabs]

I have not tired shoes on in the shop, I hav brought them in store but as per some other comments have gone along the 'They are a gift, if you does not like them can she bring them back' line.

I have been more confident rescently though when I phoned a shoe shop and asked if they had a particular style of shoes I wanted in a size 9, they said yes. I arranged for them to put them to one side for me and went to collect them. The female assistant was very kind and helpful, in fact I had decided (as the shop only had two other customers) if she asked me if I wanted to try them on (as I had made it very clear they were for me) I was going to say YES!

But guess what - she did not ask!

So you never know - I dont think I would seek the opportunity out, however if it was offered I would take it!

If she knew they were for you, I'd say she was expecting you to try them on and wouldn't have bettered an eye-lid. Why not got back and find some others to try on if the lady is there? It's a great feeling you know

[thighboots]

Thanks Loswabs - I might just try that you know! Have you found any shops to be receptive of you trying heels on - I prefer Aldo and Faith (as they stock size 9's!)