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I like those boots, Freddy; where did you get them? I assume you did wear them over (skinny) jeans, as shown. That (to my mind) is the only really 'unusual' aspect of your overall look; men do not conventionally wear long 'dress' boots (as already discussed above), and the high, slim shaft is not typical of a man's boot anyway (and cannot be easy to put on, even with your slender pins). The stitching and toe shape is perfectly normal on a cowboy boot, and yours are quite plain as they go, although one might argue that the heel is high for a cowboy. Come to that, I have been told more than once that true cowboys do not normally wear even long and fancy boots outside their trousers. Yes, I can see that these cowboy boots would pass without comment as, in context, they are not too extreme by any means. But I doubt that they pass without being noticed - and I think you would (and should) be pleased if they are.

Yeah, what he said. When I think of some of the 'sights' I've seen that barely turned a head or were just ignored, the attention a man in a heel acquires while in public, is completely disproportionate. I suppose it's down to experience. Badly dressed (poor choice and or dirty), are much more common, as are tattoo's in what might generally be considered inappropriate places. (Neck, face, hands, and lower legs on women that are usually bare.) My "ideal" would be to wear a court shoe in public, (probably covered) during warm weather, and for my footwear to be ignored. Bliss!

Quite so. If what I would like to wear openly in public (and I don't mean pink 6" stiletto sandals) was not denounced as 'effeminate', 'poofy', 'perverted' or otherwise as allegedly unacceptable from time to time, I would be a lot happier. I can cope with 'eccentric' or 'different' (I am happy to be both, although in most respects a conformist) but it is hurtful to be thought of as a persona non grata by Joe Public - and even more so by close relatives or friends. I don't personally like to see a man with long hair, piercings, tattoos or an abundance of flashy jewellery - but such men are not uncommon, generally pass without vitriolic attack and are (one assumes) comfortable in their own skins and accepted in their own family or social circles. So, why should high heels be unacceptable on a man, even on footwear of an otherwise masculine or at least unisex appearance, worn with otherwise conventional clothing? Or are we being paranoid in thinking that, just because someone close is openly 'anti' or we have detected some sort of reaction elsewhere which we have interpreted (perhaps wrongly) as being adverse, we must conceal if not suppress our heel interest in the great majority of situations? If there is an easy answer, I have yet to learn of it.

When the two closest members of our family visit, I have to be a bit careful about what shoes I leave lying around. I don't always find every pair, but so far, no-one has asked any potentially awkward questions .... It's even worse when the grandson stays, because like most young people, he wants to know everything about everything... Not only do all my shoes/boots have to be hidden, some stacks have to be disguised too. It's a PITA. Today, we three went to London to take a look at the Christmas lights in the West End. It might have been 'four of us' but his mum had things to do at home. I had already decided I would wear my very passable cowboy boots. They have a 4 inch heel, fairly slim shaft, and come up to just under my knee. There is decorative stitching over the toe box, and they are a bit 'pointy'. They look like a mans boot, right up until you see how high and slim the shaft is. While preparing to go out, I walked past everyone several times wearing the boots. This afternoon/evening, I spent 5 hours walking around with my grandson and Mrs Freddy. So far, not a single comment. I'm hoping there might be some remark, to draw out any feelings about them (good or bad) but I wouldn't be surprised if no-one noticed or dismissed my choice of footwear as "me being me". (ie. Eccentric.) I'm not expecting to be judged, nor do I want to encourage false enthusiasm, but it would be nice if I didn't feel so compelled to 'hide' my interest from those so close to me. I'm probably not alone with that sentiment?