Puffer

Welcome - and I hope you will have more to contribute in due course! Pics of your collection will always be well-received. I also wear a UK11 or 12 shoe, so I share your problem in finding something that fits and is wearable without looking ugly or odd. My feet are not particularly 'skinny', however, so maybe you have an advantage there as most women's footwear tends to be on the narrow side for a male foot. Where did you get the ankle boots?

I have just come across this website: https://www.rokeratelier.com/shop-mens-heels I had never heard of this designer but it is interesting to see that it offers several styles of men's boots with heels, in sizes up to UK46. The price is obviously going to limit their market but it is nevertheless an interesting venture. I don't find the styles particularly appealing - the chunky square toes are offputting - but the 'Hillary' boot has a certain sleekness.

ASOS has for some time been selling various styles of men's boots with heels. A few of them have a nicely shaped modest cuban heel but a new introduction is pictured below and can be seen at https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-heeled-chelsea-boots-with-pointed-toe-in-black-leather-with-black-sole/prd/14179943?colourwayid=16597421&SearchQuery=&cid=5774. It has a leather upper, a sleek pointed toe with a centre seam and a block heel that looks close to 3". Available in sizes up to UK13 (great!) and currently priced at £65.00 (although discount codes are often available). Certainly a step in the right direction and I am tempted! As a style note, I'm not sure if the boots should be worn with rolled-up trousers (as in the pic), which would certainly reveal the boots to everyone. Is that an ultra-casual look reserved for young men or the real way to go for all?

They look good! Please let us have a link, and tell us what size you ordered and (when you get them) the exact heel height and how well they fit etc. It seems to me that most of the Chinese suppliers have a very poor idea of UK sizing (at least) as the stated length of a shoe is invariably less than what the claimed size number would measure. A year or so ago I bought a pair of flat sandals (from China through Amazon) that are a good fit on me (normally Eu45) but I had to order Eu52 to get the right length, which was crazy!

You make too much of a simple transaction and exchange of pleasantries! The cashier's attitude was one of mild surprise and curiosity (as one might well expect) but when I did, in effect, say that the sandals were for me by stating that they were for party wear (which wasn't far from the truth), my legitimate reason satisfied both parties. A blunt statement that they were for me to wear, or no statement at all, would in the circumstances have appeared rude and likely created some negative impression of me.

Why not comment? The cashier was pleasant and mildly amused rather than amazed and it seemed sensible to me to make light of the issue rather than appear remote and secretive. And I might well have visited the shop again (as indeed I did). If she had been a miserable old bat or made some disparaging remark, I can assure you that I would have put her in her place.

Funnily enough, although I am usually a UK11 or 12, I had a similar experience in Brantano almost 10 years ago, when it did sell a limited range of women's shoes in UK11. I spotted a rather nice pair of heeled sandals in UK11 on sale at a really low clearance price and did not hesitate to buy them, out of curiosity as much as anything. The cashier gave me a conspiratorial smile when she saw what I had selected but seemed to accept my explanation of them being for a 'vicars and tarts party' costume (and why not?). You are lucky, hunnybun, in being just that bit smaller with a UK10. ASOS for one has had some very wearable boots (amongst other styles) in sizes to UK10 but even the wide fitting is just too small for me. One day, perhaps ...

Nice courts. I'm guessing from the retailers you mention that you have a fairly large foot. What size are you, hunnybun?

Welcome! It would be good if you would tell us more about yourself, your preferences and your collection.

I think you're right, alas. If so, someone who might well have given this forum a much-needed lift (no pun intended) has been lost to us.

I'm puzzled as to why this post dated 25 Feb has only just appeared on the board. But, no matter, your opening contribution is most welcome! Perhaps you will tell us a little more about yourself and your family, e.g. your age group and that of your stepson. You say that your wife loves you wearing heels and that you 'have to wear them every day'. That suggests an element of 'control' - is that truly the case? Do you wear heels for work as well as play, and are they only cowboy-style boots? Maybe we could see some pictures?

You and me both! But court shoes quite similar to those - pointed or almond toe and properly-shaped and positioned stiletto heels of 4" - 4.5" - are still quite frequently seen on TV. Several presenters and newsreaders on British TV wear them, for example. Makes all the virus doom-and-gloom go away briefly when they come on! Here is Louise Minchin on breakfast programme:

Oh dear! We are close to having the sort of 'I lived in a cardboard box and survived on a bowl of warm gravel every fortnight' type of one-upmanship! (But that might be fun ...!) To clarify my earlier comment, there is nothing wrong with getting groceries delivered, if that is one's preference (or need). I prefer not to (unless it becomes unavoidable because of isolation etc) and would not wish to deprive those in need of a delivery slot, which I gather are hard to come by. I have three doctors and other NHS staff as near neighbours and they have greater need than most of us.

Delivery services scarcely necessary when several supermarkets within reach, not all of which deliver anyway. And I wouldn't be sure of getting what I wanted (too many substitutions etc), quite apart from the extra cost. I don't dislike grocery shopping (pre-virus, anyway), often with opportunities for bagging bargains. If I'm too busy, I send my butler.

My experience in local supermarkets has been generally positive in the 4 or 5 visits I've made in the last fortnight. The small Tesco nearby had an orderly queue outside when necessary and controlled entry. It is obviously almost impossible for people to browse, select items and walk around without at times passing briefly closer to others than 2m, especially where aisles are fairly narrow, but I detected no blatant disregard of the precautions; people did their best. Some of the checkouts had been disabled to give greater separation, although no screens had yet been fitted. The Aldi I also use was easier to navigate safely (wider aisles and less-cramped checkouts) and, here again, entry was being 'controlled' effectively. Both stores had sanitiser or soapy solution to permit trolleys, baskets and hands to be cleaned, and most people were using them. I have no intention of using delivery services (even if available, which is doubtful) unless this becomes unavoidable. At least the fine weather allows (indeed encourages) some work and a little relaxation in the garden, which largely makes up for 'outings' being restricted to a combined newspaper/grocery shop and walk locally.

About two miles from my home is a 'forest' which is open to the public for recreational walking; it has no other facilities apart from a couple of bins for dog's mess! I had never been there, although my wife has on one of her regular pre-virus exercise walks with a friend. We decided that it would be a good place for solitary exercise yesterday, and so it proved. We drove there, and parked outside the main gate at 9.30am. We then walked around the perimeter, covering a little more than three miles in about 80 minutes. We passed or saw no more than 10 couples, half-a-dozen solitary dog-walkers and a couple of small family groups. Almost everyone greeted us on passing, at the prescribed distance, and the whole experience was enjoyable - the forest was quite dense but easy to navigate on well-trodden paths and with a refreshingly peaceful atmosphere; I shall go again. I dropped my wife at the small supermarket about half-a-mile from home so she could pick up milk, a newspaper and a couple of other essentials and she told me that there was no queueing or other problem there. We had gone out for our walk quite early in the belief that the forest would be busier (if never exactly 'crowded') later in the day, given the fine weather. But I see from the TV news this morning that other areas (such as the Brighton seafront, and along the river or in the park at Richmond) were very busy yesterday with whole groups of people inevitably failing to distance themselves, on the move or otherwise. It was hardly surprising that the Police were taking action. What will happen today, with even better weather, remains to be seen but I'm doubtful that Joe Public as a whole will be taking proper notice of the 'instructions'. I shall remain at home; there are useful tasks to be done in the back garden.

Here are the other two 'Tina' pictures. I don't know why they couldn't be included above.

I have commented before on the 'Faith' shoes shown above - see my post above of 11 Jan 2016 in particular. I have now been able to photograph the two pairs of shoes in my wife's wardrobe that were the subject of my earlier comments, and here they are (one of each shown): I have two other pics of these but, for some reason, cannot upload them all to this post - so will try adding them in a further post below, although my attempts to do so are being blocked at present. The black suede is the Faith 'Tina', size 8 and with 4.5" heel. The black leather is the Barratts ('Comme il faut' label) 'Tina', which seems to be absolutely identical (apart from the leather finish). These Tinas are very similar to the Faith 'Gina' illustrated above by FastFreddy but I think the Tina heel is a little higher, despite the claims on the Gina box that this has a 110mm (almost 4.5") heel, as I recall was stated for the Tinas. Neither pair was worn more than a couple of times by my wife, and only then about 20 years ago, before we married. They have languished in her wardrobe ever since, as she stopped wearing 'proper' heels not long after we married (undoubtedly not a coincidence but a deliberate denial or withdrawal). That is a matter of sorrow as I think these shoes in particular look very elegant - a nicely tapered toe, open throat, and a slim, properly-shaped and positioned stiletto heel - a classic court by anyone's standards. Rarely will my wife wear anything more than a 3" cuban heel these days, and even more rarely will she wear any heels because I ask her to.

I'm retired, so work in the conventional sense is not an issue, but much of my time in recent years has been spent on property renovation around the family. (No, we are not property tycoons - but several of my close relatives have an investment property in addition to a residence.) That work is sporadic and has not been too demanding or critical recently, so nothing much to abandon or postpone at present. My wife does admin for a charity one day each week but that is now shelved. So, my time is almost entirely spent on indoor home-related tasks at present (with some outside decorating lined-up when the weather is milder) plus reading (including hobby-related researches and a little writing), TV, puzzles and the like. Whether I will survive like this for possibly several months remains to be seen! Going out is currently limited to essential shopping (wife and I take it in turns) and a modest exercise walk every couple of days, if possible combined. I totally agree with the view taken by Shyheels above that it would be more sensible and less risky to all to drive (isolated in one's car) a few miles to some uncrowded and more remote place for a solitary constitutional, rather than walk through local streets to a nearby park with the probability of meeting/passing quite a number of other people. The Police allegedly take a different view - challenging people found more than a mile or two from home or driving/parking outside their town and even 'moving on' or threatening anyone seen taking a brief rest during a walk, as some may have to in order to catch breath. One eminent lawyer has already challenged the legality of such 'exercise' restrictions, without suggesting that we should in any way start mixing again.

Not now, you ain't! Lockdown does create some opportunities but, equally, dictates other priorities for many. I have been too busy this last few days to post anything but have something to say on another recent post, which has to wait until I can take a couple of pics. But don't hold your breath ...! (Actually, in view of government guidelines, it is highly advisable that you do hold your breath!)

Price and quality must be considerations too. Would many otherwise interested men buy knee boots if they were either of cheapish synthetic material (and of dubious wearing quality) or better made in leather and probably costing well in excess of £100-150? Aside from a few young trendy fashionistas, few men buy cheap disposable clothing or footwear and a significant 'investment' in a pair of longer boots is unlikely to be anything but a considered and occasional purchase. OK, one might well say that such an investment purchase is just that - something that will last for several years and justify the initial outlay - but the volume of such business is unlikely to be attractive to many suppliers.

I did not suggest that the HHP departures were all inappropriate as I recognise that some of them were justified for the reasons you indicate. However, you have perhaps closer knowledge of the background as the true circumstances were not clearly revealed at the time, especially as 'offending' posts are invariably removed by El Supremo (usually without explanation) before many members can see and judge them. I understand that this action has in turn caused others to withdraw. I agree that there is scope here for more than just heel and fashion discussion, a point that has been made before. And you are right that attempts (including mine) to widen the content have often failed.

As far as HHP is concerned, I think you are right about the seemingly growing trend towards extreme styles and conduct. That has perhaps alienated the large body of members who do not (or cannot) share that interest. A secondary reason is the apparent 'resignation' (or 'removal') in the last couple of years of several long-term and moderate members who in some way have either upset the apple cart (allegedly) or been upset by it, and whose contributions were invariably both valid and appreciated. This board, quiet though it has become, appears to have mostly members of a more 'reasonable' type - with a few exceptions who have likely deserted for that reason. Perhaps existing members don't consider their interest and activity sufficiently exciting to merit mention here, or perhaps they just want to take without giving. But unless they start contributing, we shall remain in a rut. And any contribution does deserve some sort of response, even a negative one if genuine.

I wasn't particularly intending to buy anything; most of the offerings are wrong style for me!

By chance, whilst searching for something quite different, I came across this UK seller on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/highestheels?_trksid=p2047675.l2559 The seller is based in Luton, England and appears to offer a wide range of high heels in an equally wide range of sizes. Many of them are very high stilettos – some being familiar models (e.g. Pleaser) but others apparently made to order. Prices are mostly in the £50 – 100 range but include postage. I have no further knowledge of the business but it is apparently run by an ‘enthusiast’ and feedback is very good. The above is one example – 6” wedge sandal in sizes UK 2 – 12 (Eu35 – 45), £69.99.