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Looking over the images of your boots, and trying to be as analytical and dispassionate as possible, I honestly can't see why they could be construed as feminine other than via, as I have said before, the blinkered response that tall boots must be feminine - just because. The slender shafts do not strike me as intrinsically feminine, just decently fitting. I believe we noted in another thread that most tall boots (nearly all of which are found on the distaff side of the shop) have rather large calves/shafts. It could therefore be argued that ones with bigger, looser shafts are feminine by virtue of their numerical superiority. The toes are pointy and the foot shape elongated, but there again not intrinsically feminine. As they say about pointy toed (masculine) cowboy boots in Texas: "They're for killing cockroaches in the corners." Nor are the heels too tall for cowboy boots. Worn under jeans there is no way on earth anybody would notice them. Worn over jeans, yes, they'd be noticed but only because hardly any guys wear their boots that way (because hardly any guys dare wear tall boots - however much they may like the idea) I agree with Puffer - that is the only unusual aspect to them: wearing over jeans. But why not? They are nice looking boots. I recall wearing a pair of very tall 16" L.L. Bean duck boots (mentioned in another thread) when I was in Antarctica. Some of the women on the ship marvelled that I did not wear them over my jeans when we made landings, to show them off. In that particular instance it was wisest not to! Zodiac landings in Antarctica can be quite wet and having trousers over your boot tops is a great idea, if you don't want to get water in your boots. They women on board soon joined me in the male style of wearing boots under trousers! Outside of that though - I think tall boots look best over jeans. I am not into leggings myself, other than for cycling, but boots and jeans seen a decent look! I agree too that one regularly sees guys wearing all kinds of (to me) objectionable get-ups - tattoos, piercings, baggy trousers with the crotch down to the knees, ludicrous board shorts, hoodies, and ludicrous hair styles with nobody giving them a second glance. Yet wearing a nice tall pair of boots (regardless of whetheror not they had heels) over jeans would raise eyebrows and call into question your masculinity. What a weird and up-tight world.

For those of you that are a little afraid , embarrassed, or just not confident enough to wear heels in public yet, This is what I have discovered through years of experience. #1, When wearing heels in public, just be you. Don't worry about what anyone else say's or thinks. Don't turn around to see if you are being noticed. Walk with 100% self esteem. Most people don't even notice and if you walk with confidence as if its your everyday lifestyle, most people won't even care and the ones that do, have their own low self esteem and issues anyway. #2 Its like everything else that people see for the 1st time WOW!, But the second and 3rd time the WOW goes away and it becomes "NORMAL" when they see it again. #3 Just something to think about. I own my own in house business with a few employees, Sewing and custom embroidery. The 1st thing I do when I hire a new girl is tell her why all the high heel paraphernalia , little posters, pics, shoe ornaments etc. is hanging around the shop. That's starts the discussion. So far I have had 100% good feedback and actually asked , why aren't I wearing my heels today. Customers don't even notice mush and they really don't care after all, That's not what they are here for. They love my work and could care less about what's on my feet. So to sum it all up, Most people do not care if you wear heels or not and the ones that have a problem with it, Remember, its their problem, not yours. Because if you can't be you, than who can you be? Hope this helps a little.

I brought a pair of ankle boots recently. They have about a 2" cuban heel. I wore them to work afew times and only a few people noticed, mostly ladies. Some of them told me they liked them, while others noticed but said nothing. I also had a man say they were nice boots (first time I've had a man comment positively about my heels). After wearing them afew times I was on my way to work and two boys about 8 years old were in a garden and when I got near asked why I was weating ladies high heels ( they must havr heard me coming). As I was in a rush to get to work I didn't have time for a big discussion I just said they were cowboy boots. They looked at them more closely and one said he liked them and accepted them as cowboy boots.

Well a week ago I sorta came out to an old girlfriend of many years ago. I was sitting on the floor and when I got up he saw the heel and said am I wearing cowboy boots and are they for line dancing? I pulled up my jeans and showed her these oxfords from payless US. She said that I don’t have to roll up my pants warring those. So that night I sent her this in an e mail. Did I freak you out with my Heels? I like them there fun and look good. Why should girls have all the fun? I always liked when you wore them looked fun So I decided a while ago why not so under jeans ok Your weird friend Her response was this They are cool and different. Like you say why not?!?! Oh and don't start wearing them with a dress, kilt, skirt, etc. because then I WILL disown you. My response was Ok no skirts I don’t think this is a problem our friendship is a funny one and different These are the shoes she saw

T-straps I wore on many occasions on my Harley cross country. Overknee boots were a very big hit every time we stopped. Yes I always ride in heels. Ankle boots are my jessica Simpsons which I have had for a few years and wear on a daily basis. Knee high boots are farirley new from DSW. Very comftorable and wear also on a daily basis. GF not only supports it but encourages it. She loves me in heels. Never be affraid to be you! FYI There are a lot more. I have a real problem lol but love it! Next question?

Them's very slim legs. Obviously owned by a vegan basketball player. Mine, not so much ..... But still 'baggy' around the calves.

Aesthetically speaking, my favourite pair are my Pleaser Sexy 20 in red patent. But they are incredibly hard to walk in, due to the 5"+ vertical heel. So my next favourite pair would be my black leather Pleaser Seduce 420 with 5" heel. They have a classic stiletto heel shape so much easier to walk in. Unfortunately they don't photograph well, so still trying to get a good shot that does them justice!

They’re the ones in my avatar, and I posted some photos in the gallery section.

Do you think anyone would notice these?!

Bought 3 pairs from Ebay last week. This is the first pair that came in the post. Going start to use my phone to take photos from now. So this is a test to see how well it works out. I also bought a tripod to mount the phone with a remote so I can take photos of me wearing heels. I should be able to do better photos now

To be honest Mr Fred I have two grandkids, a girl of the age 11, and a boy 7 and to be honest I have worn my heels every time I take them to the shops to buy sweets etc, and to be honest they have never noticed or said anything, but saying that granddaughter did say something about 4 years ago, why are you wearing nannys boots, but that was it, nothing since.

I almost haven't bought any shoes for ages. What I should say is, I haven't bought any to keep/wear recently. These proved irresistible: Can't see a time or place where I could or would wear them, but as I said, irresistible. Missed these from Zara in my size: I also bought some flat stretch knee boots from Zara to try at home. The shafts were loose, despite being a stretch material.... Not sure why I keep torturing myself even trying to find some boots with shafts something close to the size of my thin legs. The eternal optimist may be?

Not quite the right description

I can't add much to this discussion, but do suggest that 'graceful' and competent heel-wearing is not directly linked to gender or build. We have all seen a variety of women (and a few men) whose ability - or lack of it - to walk in public in heels is all-too-evident. This man seems to me to be perfectly competent in his Omano boots (allegedly 6" heels but I think a little less than that). He has other videos of him in similarly high heels and is obviously well-practised, but scarcely unique.

If you want to get his attention, PM him him directly. It's not a case of waking him/them up, they are busy elsewhere and as this threat clearly indicates, there's not much going on that draws attention. I have to say, your input is greatly appreciated, in trying to change that.

I have just returned from a week's holiday in southern Turkey. In the hotel foyer, next to the small souvenir shop, there was the pictured archway with a sign displayed each side. I initially thought that this led to other shops (for tobacco and shoes) but it proved to be the entrance to the men's and women's WCs. As a reformed pipe-smoker who has a modest interest in stiletto heels, I found it difficult to decide which WC I should use! All guests adopted casual dress throughout the day and evening, in the hotel or outside. Shorts and flip-flops (or equivalents) were almost universal everywhere, with just a few low wedges in evidence. I reckon that, if Turkey imposed a 'Tourist Flip-flop Tax' of 10 lira (about £1.20 or $1.60), its economic woes would be solved within a month or two!

Just have your wife to take som pics of you wearing heels and dont check her facebook albums...! Yesterday I checked my wifes facebook photoalbums...and I found a picture of myself wearing my 5" heeled boots... JIPPI!!!.. I think.. Anyone have a good explanation I can use if anyone ask WHY?

Don’t I know it! It has been a wonderful, companionable week.

I tried to find some reasonable quality images from Buck Rogers, and couldn't find anything other than low quality screen shots. UFO and Space 1999 were British contenders for the 'close fitting' clothing prediction. It's been some time since I've seen a body that would suit a catsuit, with the possible exception of Bella Thorne. Both these pictures were taken a couple of years ago when she was 17. This one when she was 18. Not sure when this was taken. She currently has over 26M followers on social media. Sadly, she now has piercings that include her septum, which I always see as excess liquid dripping ...

According to the Goldhawk Road Gazette, the police were looking for a man who had been reported as acting furtively in several shoe shops '... whilst brandishing a stiletto...' and walking unsteadily.

I completely understand. If I owned a pair like these, they'd never be off my feet, unless I was bathing or under the shower. Sadly, no longer available, which is just as well at £1100 a pair.

I do agree that the prominence of the 'legs' item in the DM was ill-judged, given the significance of the occasion. But, in difficult times - Brexit, Westminster - a tongue-in-cheek diversion can help to retain the public's sense of proportion and help us all to 'keep calm and carry on'. TM stands out as much for her height and slightly gawky gait as for her clothing choices. She makes an effort and generally looks smarter than many of her contemporaries.

My name is Lillith Demiurge and I am a social engineer. I also happen to be transgender. I hope that isn't a problem. I joined this forum for a few reasons: I think men should be able to wear what ever they want without raising questions about their sexuality. I have also taken it upon myself to utilise my skills in social engineering to fix the disparities in fashion. I intend to organise a group of people to promote a cause so that I make a change in the fashion industry that benefits everyone.

Dunno, we couldn't find anyone who could tell the difference.

Bit of a longer story (apologies if you've read it elsewhere already.) Would have been circa 1985 and the heyday of my wearing heels at clubs and balls. I didn't always go out dressed 'en femme' but it was more usual than unusual. My girlfriend and I got approached (in every sense) when I dressed up, not a whisper from anyone else when I went dressed as a man. So we had left a club just off Charing Cross Road called Maitresse around 2am. I'd driven my car across Oxford Street, and the clutch cable snapped. I had to get out of the car and look under the bonnet at the bulkhead, and sure enough, the outer cable was lying loose. I would have been wearing a short PVC skirt and top, fishnet stockings, and 5½ heels. While looking under the bonnet, I got quite a few beep's, and one loud shout of 'oyh-oyh' from passing traffic. No offers of help though. I'd learned how to drive without a clutch years before, having experienced it with a 1972 3.0 Capri. Not so easy starting off in gear with a smaller 4 cylinder, but it was a bit under-geared in first and second, so we got home. It's taken 31 years for me to wonder how I might have made it home, with no car and dressed as I was. I suppose an expensive cab ride, (£25 back then) and returning the following day with a new clutch cable.... In recent years when I used to go out in heels, I would be rather daring by taking no other shoes, once finding myself in the wrong place at the right time. I'd pulled into a disused road to have a pee. Unknown to me, a group of young people had arrived a bit earlier to start smoking an odd smelling tobacco. It seems someone who lived close by had called the police, who subsequently arrived, just as I was leaving having discovered I wasn't alone. I was told to stay put. Thinking I was likely going to be ordered out of the car at some stage, I carefully got myself de-shod. At the time, thinking it better to get out the car in socks, than get out wearing 4 inch heels. As it turned out, once a vehicle/name check was made, I was dismissed. (Pheww.) I'd like to say I still have that 'devil-may-care' attitude.... But 'work duties' means I have to go into homes occasionally where outdoor shoes aren't allowed, so I now carry a pair of black soft 'slipper' type shoes in the car at all times. At a push, dual purpose. Not that anyone would know, but they too are a girls (slipper) shoe.

The experiences and advice recounted by Shyheels make a great deal of sense. It is certainly better to seek the consent and co-operation of an intended 'subject' before openly taking film or photos. It can pay dividends, as he demonstrated. However, that is not very practicable (and may well be inadvisable or pointless) when a candid, arguably intrusive or spur-of-the-moment shot is needed - and I guess that most street shots of footwear fall into that category. A discreet (OK - arguably furtive) approach is needed in most such situations - the subject will probably have neither knowledge nor concerns about being photographed and will move on, none the wiser. Let's face it - if one wants that particular pic, it is going to get taken regardless of the subject's possible (indeed, probable) objections, based on an an assumption of a pervy interest.

Re wide band, I got these from Ebay a few months ago, and they are extremely comfortable, and my foot is nicely balanced in them with good weight distribution between sole and heel. I'm sure the second strap is the reason. With just the toe strap my feet would slip down and they'd be very uncomfortable.

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?

I know I've become less and less worried about what people think, but that is an almighty hurdle for most of us. My wish to do just whatever I want is tempered with a desire not to embarrass or harm anyone close to me. My wife has known about my love for heels for most of our married life, but until a couple of years ago I hardly ever ventured out in public wearing them. She will now come out with me when I'm wearing block heeled boots or wedges, and I know I'm very very fortunate in this. However, I believe the biggest problem with most of us is the six inches between the ears. We're worried that everyone is staring at us and laughing at us, and terrified of meeting someone we know. One of my wife's friends and a couple of others in the same business as me know about my heels and are completely OK with it. I went on the train to a company conference last Saturday in 4.5 inch wedges under a business suit. Seven hours in the train and walking between trains, seven hours at the conference with over 5,000 people present. Loads of people must have seen them, but I got not one comment, not one sign of amusement or disgust, apart from a giggle I heard from a teenager behind me, but even then it might not have been at seeing my heels. My reason for wearing them, if anyone asks, is that they are a miraculous cure for backache. My back aches if I stand or walk around for more than a few minutes, but heels are an instant cure. I'm not the only one who finds this, as this article shows: http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/four-inch-heels-cure-mans-bad-back-now-he-cant-stop-wearing-them-for-charity-11363970352666 The fact that I absolutely adore wearing them is another matter... Anyway, that's me. I have about two dozen pairs of heels, from two inch cowboy boots to 7.5 inch stilettos, but recently I've been more and more interested in street heels of at least four inches.

Yes indeed, Freddy Yes indeed to all of that, Freddy. And I could add a few others: Gene Tierney; Grace Kelly; Liz Taylor (when young - as in Ivanhoe). There just seems to be something special about these 40s/50s stars; certainly they looked glamorous and dressed accordingly.

I have already mentioned I hate flying, but love airports, and you have confirmed why. It's not true of Camden Market any longer, but UK airports (as Camden used to be) places where; if you were going to see someone with two heads THAT'S where you will see it. The throughput of diverse people is staggering. I have experienced similar at Waterloo, Liverpool Street and King Cross rail stations, but airports produce the most glamorous opportunities. As for people watching.... I would have a holiday for two reasons; Swimming in clear water. Spending the evening after dinner, sitting in a street café watching people walk past. In our hotel, other guest would get nicknames or titles. For entertainment, I would weave imaginary tales and lifestyles to each group we saw.

Good luck, Freddy, if you go - whatever you wear. I'm not a Philistine, nor unduly tight-fisted (unless you ask my wife!) but I am totally unwilling to go to any sort of live performance (theatre, ballet, opera, concert, stage show or whatever) that costs more than, say, £20 for the seat - and not even then if the cost of travel etc is significant. I simply don't enjoy something of that sort enough to justify making a big dent in my pocket - as with luxury hotels or holidays and the like. More to the point, on the last few occasions I have been tempted by (or treated to) such an event, the aggravation of getting to the venue, being ripped off for any extras and finding a poor seat/view and mediocre performance has made the whole event less than worthwhile - I would have been better-off (in all senses) to watch it on the TV! That said, I do enjoy live theatre at one or two of the small provincial places which are easy to access and have a sensible price structure. And, if going alone, I am likely to emulate you and Shyheels and dress to suit my mood without making a fool of myself.

If you recognise this person....... (Prince William's wife, the Duchess of Cambridge) The following might surprise you .... Full article >> here <<

All true,. But let's face it,. Given the chance, We'd all drill her until we struck oil !!!

I think the Fates are having fun with you. To round it out perfectly let's imagine she is a size seven but the damned fools at Zara sent her an eight, which she is having trouble walking in but she likes them too much to send back...

Firstly, to address your highly refined sense of pedantry, surely "or what?" invited an interpretation rather than offered one? With that now established with the good grace you often provide, I'd like to think the charming Shyheels was quite correct when he chose "the latter" of the three stated interpretations you had helpfully suggested. Taking his wise guidance (only a fool wouldn't), I gave his choice my full support. On reflection, and now with some further guidance on the matter from your good self, I would possibly encompass a group not specifically offered but might fall into the "or what?" camp. I am tempted to label them; "Theatricals". Some having wrists good enough for all sorts of DIY skills and legs strong enough for cycling. Others, possibly more interested in homely, more sensitive pursuits perhaps? I would agree wholeheartedly with the notion that ANY attire that was created with the concept a women would be the wearer, but a man chose to wear it as well, might label the him a cross-dresser. (I'm very sorry for the shocking grammar.) But being a great believer for equal opportunity across gender, the same could be said for almost every Western woman at some stage during her life. Though a cross-dressing woman is undeniably an oxymoron, if I can dare to use such a sophisticated word? I can't think of any attire that has been made, that a woman could wear and it not be socially acceptable, at least in Western culture. Does rather seem to be something of a one-way street, so to speak. We are all doing our bit to change that, of course. Frontiersmen, everyone one of us.

Germans have certainly been big with computers into cars! They are reaping a pretty unpleasant harvest now, thanks to some of their more imaginative uses of software for diesel engines - or at least VW certainly is! Have you ever read an essay called "Farewell to Model T" by E.B. White? A dazzling essay - he was one of The New Yorker's greatest ever writers and a stylist par excellence. He was writing (quite a few years ago, obviously) about the changes that were becoming noticeable even then in making it harder and harder for people to maintain and repair their own automobiles, and lamenting this drive to greater and greater complexity, seemingly for complexity's sake. It's a great essay, available in a slender hardback. He was, by the way, also the author of Charlotte's Web and one of the greatest ever little guidebooks on writing - Elements of Style. To say nothing of many brilliant articles in The New Yorker.

Your assumption was a fair one. I used to smoke a pipe but gave it up more than six years ago. I will still have a small cigar perhaps five times a year. I think the nom-de-plume originated at work in the late 60s when it was applied as a nickname to recognise both my pipe-smoking and my known interest in railways, but the exact circumstances are now lost in the mists (smoke?) of time. I do recall that, in that same workplace, my aromatic pipe smoke caused a colleague to enquire 'What is that you're smoking?'. I was busy adding up a column of figures and dismissed him with a rather curt 'That's my business' - to which he immediately responded 'Well, it certainly smells like it!'. Happy days ...

I too am a light drinker. Apart from disliking inebriation and having a reduced tolerance to alcohol (probably following hepatitis some 40 years ago), I simply don't like the taste of many drinks, especially spirits such as whisky! I do like semi-sweet vermouth (ideally Cinzano Bianco with lemonade, but Dubonnet is OK too) but cannot stomach Campari - although it is good for cleaning paint brushes, or drains! I occasionally drink white-rum-and-cola and some fruity liqueurs. But my daily tipple, if I have one at all, is likely to be a cider (particularly pear), a stout or porter (especially the newish Guinness Dublin Porter), or a lager (with curry or oriental food). I will drink wine with a meal but not much as a purely social drink. I have never liked gin and tonic (far too bitter) but am tempted to try the sloe gin you mention. My intolerance of alcohol does not encourage social drinking as I can rarely keep up with others and, to be frank, I have better things to do with my pocket money than buy them (or even me) excess booze. I don't really like pubs for this reason; drinking at home is more comfortable and certainly cheaper. Some years ago, on a canal holiday with a group of friends (including children), it was quite common for us to stop at a canalside pub - rather too frequently in fact. On one occasion, the pub garden (the usual venue, because of the kids) was too crowded with noisy yokels so, drinks bought inside, we all repaired to the boat and sat on it to consume them. What a waste of money (especially for the kids' soft drinks) - we had our own booze on board and got absolutely nothing extra by paying pub prices (except for the bad language emanating from its garden patrons).

Just as I thought I could take it easy (apart from fixing a minor leak under younger son's sink) and confine myself to further armchair pontification on Freddy's current 'buggers muddle', my good friend with some buy-to-lets has asked for my hands-on input to install (with his help) a complete gas CH system at one of his flats. Probably 5 days' work starting around 2 Nov. I am happy enough to oblige - I owe him about 10 days after all he did to help me with my seaside flat refurb - but a rest would have been nice! (As he owns 'flats', I won't be working there in 'heels'.) As to bicycles, I well remember apologising to my elder son (then aged about 10 and a keen footballer) that I had no interest or ability whatsoever in sport, so could not help him thus. He smiled at me and said, touchingly, 'No - but you can mend my bike, Dad!' Our respective roles have remained much the same, some 25 years on.

Actually the feminine traditions for boots do not even go back that far. Since I permitted myself to indulge in this I have done a bit of research on the topic of fashion, footwear, men in heels and boots. It's a very interesting story really. As to boots - the fashion I feel that I am (or was) missing out on, that dates back only 50 years or so to some designers in the early 1960s going for a masculine Three Musketeers look for their lines and using cuissards to round out the look. Add Nancy Sinatra's hit song Boots in 1966 and there it was. And as we know, once a thing has gone feminine, it never really comes back. I would wear my suede boots out in public, over heads, without a second's hesitation but I do not live in a vacuum. My wife is extremely tolerant but I want to be very careful not to embarrass her in any way. For now, that might do it. I decided to buy and wear these only last year. At any rate I am fortunate enough to work from home, except when I am travelling, and so OTK boots are de rigueur in my office (my official dress code) and the places I travel to for work are not places one would wear nice suede boots anyway. So in truth I miss out only on wearing them to Tescos. A very happy compromise. But, as I say, were I on my own, they would certainly be worn out to do the shopping! I have not the least shame or embarrassment in owning or wearing them.

Interesting thoughts about leg length and shoe size, Freddy. I think it quite logical that feet are (or normally are) in proportion to build and height, but not so sure that putting on weight will necessarily result in 'fatter' feet, aside from some possible temporary bloating through water retention. Foot size (and height) do tend to shink a little with age, but I guess that foot size does not effectively reduce because stiffness, bunions and other ailments will tend to make feet less flexible and therefore more needful of a comfy/roomy shoe (as most wives, at least, demonstrate). I think you have forgotten that I do have a pair of custom-made 'Miguel Jones' boots from Mexico - pictures posted previously. They cost about £110 shipped and fit very well. They are comfortable enough to wear (given the 5" heel) but my slightly bow-legged gait does not help. Under longish bootcut trousers they are quite discreet (although the long pointed toes are very apparent - which doesn't bother me) but they really deserve to be shown-off under normal length fairly narrow straight jeans - which would doubtless frighten any foreign woman, inquisitive child or horse within spotting range. One day, I might have the courage ... Last Thursday, whilst in another town, I saw a women walking around whose look was one I wish men could aspire to with impunity. She was tall and of medium build (which meant she was of an overall size/outline comparable to many mid-sized men) and wearing a longish black jacket, wide-legged trousers and fully-visible black suede ankle boots with a straight heel about 4" high. She looked very smart-casual and comfortable and I really wished I could have been 'in her body'. The boots were the most obviously feminine thing she wore but seemed to me to be eminently suitable for a man as part of a comparable overall look - if only the (perceived) barrier to male heel wearing did not exist. And I already have rather similar boots:

Acceptance is respecting others' opinions and choises. And in relationship respect is one of the fundamentals one should build up. You can argue and have different views of things, but as long as both have respect on each other, things will work out. My wife, well yes, she is something very special. She have never said a single word against my heel wearing. She is always very supportive, no matter where we are going or whom ever we are going to meet, she always encourages me to put heels on if I like. We love each other, we respect each other and we are honest to each other. We do have argues and we don't agree on every aspect of everything, but we still respect each others views. I told her day one when we met that I have thing for women shoes and I wear them as well, and that is something that I can't change or I can't hide, it is part of me and it won't go away even if I would like to (which I don't, also said that). And she didn't blink an eye, just said with a warm grin on her face, 'then show me you shoes man, impress me', and here we are

I am comfortable with me wearing heels in public, but not everyone else is. I don't mind if anyone looking at me thinks I gay. Being 'off the norm' doesn't automatically make you a bad person, or an undesirable. I try to be me, and I try to please people around me. [sometimes, too hard.] It's unfortunate most men, and a fair number of women, prefer their men friends to conform...... When I'm out in heels, I tend to wear longer jeans (or trousers) boots, and move around areas where I have quite a lot of places I can escape to if necessary. That could be various buildings (stores), numerous streets, or bars and restaurants. They would be familiar places, I'm comfortable in regardless to what I'm wearing. Westfield Stratford has been open 3 days. My only other experience of this sort of mall, is the quite upmarket White City branch. At this venue, there are cameras and staff everywhere. It's a private facility, and you might be asked to leave for any reason, at any time. [Though unlikely.] Security at Stratford will be even worse, as it's literally, right next door to the Olympic facilities. It's quite likely a man in heels, especially a stiletto, will catch the attention of the staff there. Worse, it might even appeal to their sense of humour as an opportunity for some sport. I own a small but attractive group of stiletto style shoes and boots. I can't and won't wear them in the street, because 3 out of 5 previous 'ventures' have concluded with heel damage. This limits their use. Shopping malls would seem to be the ideal place to strut my stuff, but I still have to be careful I don't attract unwanted attention. For example ..... Once at Lakeside, in a moderately well known clothing store [Marks and Spencer], one half of a couple got their partner to wait so they could both watch me leave the entrance to the toilet in the store. I was annoyed at their rudeness, and it took me some time to calm down. Fortunately, this sort of thing is very very infrequent. Tomorrow I'm hoping I'll have the 'courage of my convictions' and finally walk around a Westfield mall in thinner heels than I usually go out in. If I can I'll take a camera with me, and try to do a picture of my shoes with the Westfield logo somewhere in the image. This seems like a simple thing to do, and so it should be. BUT, taking photo's in a security sensitive venue, can be difficult if the security staff believe you are recording detail prior to mischief. I'll update the thread tomorrow night, all being well. .....

I assume you meant '... not a fetish thing ...'? I think you are right about girls, much more than boys, being in the 'genderless' spotlight. All part of the female striving for equality. Nothing wrong with that, if it cuts both ways - but men are still denied much that is supposedly reserved for women, including certain clothing I could mention.

Found this pair of mules on Ebay. They are from Leatherworks.

Agreed; thank you; and I'm sorry if you have felt that anything here was destructive when that is alien to both of us. I do look forward to sharing more DIY-related issues with you, however; I think we both have skills and experiences that are worth sharing - and politely debating where necessary. And I'm glad neither of us is working on the Sistine Chapel, whether on original or repair work.

"All comes to he who waits", and I do waiting pretty good .... Office boots, my size and brand new went through the auction site the other day ..... I missed the end of the auction, but I would not have bid that high anyway. A 4½ inch heel maybe, but not 4. Office as a brand has changed significantly since I first authored this thread. It would seem someone into heels, has joined their buying team.