FastFreddy2

Sir! Well done for tempting yourself in public. Only good can come of it. (Repression is good for no-one.) And ...... Nothing wrong with your (current) taste in footwear. The preferred boots of the two shown, look very wearable - by you. Christmas is around the corner. Get your order in ..... (With herself.)

Another 2 pairs gone. Still LOADs to go. Didn't think anything was going to sell this time around. Significantly fewer views, and even less watchers. People saving their pennies for Christmas perhaps? A clue might be how many free listing weekends are being made available....

Exactly so. It might only be a group of two, but it's a group. And being part of a group always makes us feel 'better'. More secure perhaps, because we belong to a group. I suspect it's why some of us are here, to be part of a group.

Me neither. Despite me feeling like I'm well travelled (in heels) I've only once or twice journeyed out alone in public while in heels. I've often gone for a wander unaccompanied while I'm on out and about with company, and I've had a couple of meetings with fellow heelers while wearing heels, but not done much completely alone. That said, I don't do much without company when I'm wearing mens shoes either. (Strangely, I enjoy company. ) Uneventful is good. Entertaining the natives can be good, and must be if they are moving too fast to pass comment, while showing their intrigue.

Another free weekend on the internet auction site. Had a bit of a backward step during the week. Spotted some 2009 vintage NEXT knee boots I knew fitted [got two pairs already], and as the seller thought they were PU ..... they were sold for a very good price. They're happy, I'm happy. Heel covering on one heel needs re-glueing, but once the heel tip is off (I have spares) that shouldn't be a hard problem to sort out. Nor expensive if I get the local repairer/cobbler to do it for me instead. Will try to do a piccy.

Short review of Topshop Prodigy ankle boot. [Review #3] As with the River Island boots mentioned previously, these were bought on-line. Delivery was free as the order value was over £75, and I got a pair that hadn't been tried on by anyone else. The boots arrived, just as they left the factory. And it didn't cost me any wasted travelling time or fuel to find them either. Free returns by post (in first 14 days) or return to store in 28 days. Ideal? The boots arrived in pristine condition, but in a slightly damaged box. This was disappointing given they cost £95. I hadn't realised until I looked, but the shoe has a leather upper and sole, which goes some way to explain their cost. The heel height is actually 5¼" (133mm) on the EU42/UK9 pair I'd ordered. I've said this many times, but a Topshop 9 fits like the UK8 sold by many other brands. I've sold a number of Topshop shoes online and referenced this fact, and not had a single complaint or request for return due to me describing them incorrectly...... There's also a small platform around ¾" (20mm) thick, which includes an even thinner hidden part of platform. For many wearing this sort of heel height, a thin platform provides some protection from uneven ground. When wearing a very high heel, stones under-foot can cause incredible pain due to the pressure (weight) on the ball of the wearers foot. Not only do these boots have a thin platform to help them being being worn, but the footbed feels like it has thick plush carpet laid inside. Well, dense cushioning anyway. While I would not care to try, these could be a wear all day shoe. The shoe looks like it has a very high heel, and feels like it too. There's a short-ish pointed toe, but enough room for my slim size 8 feet. No rubbing anywhere ..... They are a slip-on slip-off style with a tight elasticated gusset on both sides. This will usually keep the shoe firmly planted in position, though doesn't entirely keep the foot in place. While walking up and down on carpet, I could (with some effort) persuade the heel of my foot into the wrong place in the shoe and give me a sense of instability. Short, very short steps were the order of the day! Yes, short elegant careful steps. At least on carpet as the soles being leather, were shiny and slippery. These are a style that seemed to fairly inflexible while walking in them. Not sure if that is good or bad? Good from the point that a wearers ankles will get a thorough work out when walking anywhere in these. Perhaps another 'recreation use only' style? On balance I really like these. The slim high heel providing all the challenge I could want from a high heeled shoe. So why were they returned? Firstly, and as ridiculous as it sounds, I would never wear them because they are too good to wear. They are the wedding outfit shoes, I could never wear to a wedding. (Though a funeral is more likely these days. ) As I looked at them, I could see they - like Jimmy Choo shoes are reputed to be - are 'catwalk' and red carpet wear only. I don't get to play on either..... Realistically, where could I wear a 5" heel in public, taking small steps to walk anywhere? I'd love a pair to look at and dream of wearing out, but I wouldn't expect to realise the dream. While Christmas (pressie time) is just around the corner, and maybe in budget, they are an expensive item to keep hidden in a box. At the time I had access to these, I also had 4 other styles sitting here waiting on a decision, and two of those significantly more wearable. It was a decision I didn't want to make, but with the Return deadline fast approaching, they just had to go back. It was just more realistic to choose shoes I would actually use, over shoes I would likely never wear. Unlike the River Island boots, these have not gone on sale. From what I can work out, Topshop doesn't reduce its prices until some sizes in the range sell out. Obviously, the 42's are the first to go. I'm not holding out any hope of getting them at a reduced priced price. If I could, I believe it would be a whole different decision! I'd be happy to own/store a pair of these if they were priced at -say- £50. It would just be tooooo tempting. So, great shoe, comfortable but a tad expensive for a hidden ornament. .......

Personal trauma, or the realisation that our youth has passed (aka mid-life crisis) does tend to focus the mind. It would be a whole lot better if this 'focussing' had come to me naturally in my 20's, but I've always been a bit of a late starter. I hope that wasn't how I wrote the response. As I have (also) mentioned before, the message isn't to put yourself first (impossible if you are going to earn/deserve Brownie points), but the concept is to make sure you get priority with your needs, sometime - somehow? Too many of us think we'll get around to doing 'this' or doing 'that' next week, or next year ..... Sadly, not everyone gets a next week, or next year. To be honest, I had you in mind too, when I responded. Your situations seem quite similar. Before I started going out with Mrs Freddy in heels, I spent a lot of time alone (with her knowing) I was walking the streets at night in heels. I know for sure I'm not alone in this activity, and some others indulge themselves in this during the very early morning instead. [You Tube is full of it.] I have not worn 'stripper' heels out with my wife, though I have worn ankle boots with a stiletto heel some time late last year/early this. That was in the dark, 30 miles from where we live, though it was in public. It took 4 years of slowly getting to that stage, in almost unnoticeable increments. Usually, I wear a cowboy boot that she finds completely acceptable, even though they have a 4 inch heel. It's a compromise that works for us both, and while I do catch the attention of people from time to time, neither of us lose sleep over it. Before studying at a management college (now university) for two management diplomas, I had been a shop steward at a car plant, and a staff rep at an aircraft manufacturing plant. I've been trained from both sides of the industrial table, to understand there are compromises to be had, battles worth fighting for, and battles not worth fighting for. Usually, if not always, a compromise can't be reached because someone is being unreasonable. In this situation, wanting - or expecting - to go out in clear perspex stripper heels might be regarded as unreasonable. Refusing to allow a partner any involvement with a modest heel on a mans shoe, would - or should - possibly be classed as unreasonable. It would be no more reasonable than banning a spouse (man or woman) from wearing blue jeans? This is not a Judge Judy ruling obviously ..... But where does permitted influence finish, and suppression start? [eg. "I'd rather you didn't wear those tonight when we eat with friends." vs. "I'm not leaving the house with you wearing those!"] Anywhere else inbetween, could and should be a place for compromise. Maybe neither of the two parties will be 100% 'happy' at the situation, but there ought to be a place both parties can accept. After all, if you love your respective partners, chances are they love you too. And people who love you, will usually bend their needs to meet yours. I'm happy my interest in heels takes a back seat in my life usually, but it does get a turn too. If there's a message in my message, it's this; Try to get your go too. Life is shockingly short for some, so what you don't do soon, may not get done. .....

Money received for the 2nd pair, (so two lots at £34-99 gone) and positive feedback received from the second pair too. Had a quick glance at the shoe store this afternoon. Still looks like a lot there ......

Really? Do you mean jeans worn like leggings? Do you have a picture, even one from a newspaper or fashion article showing us the style? I'm a bit prudish about this, but seldom see jeans and dress boots as being an attractive combination if the heels are on show. Dark blue jeans [not stone washed or torn jeans] that are worn with an OTK boot would work (for me), but I imagine anything else might be a good bit less "classy"? Conversely, very high heels hidden inside your trouser, sounds very attractive. You doubtless feel and look good in them, and your walk would be modified to provide a much more elegant [shorter] gait. I've yet to go out in public wearing boots with 5" heels, and count myself as an experienced heeler. Surely this venture puts you well past "baby-steps", unless you mean the length of your (modified) stride? Many of us here will be wishing we could do the same!

Rather sadly, I would have to agree that it doesn't bode well. I'm gonna 'fess up to completely understanding her P.O.V. on the matter, though (obviously) I can't agree with it. Just about every girlfriend (and the one wife) I've had, has been told about my interest in heels, and my (ancient history) of dressing up to go out to clubs. There may have been exceptions, but none past a 3rd or 4th date. Both them and I, never expected a return of my interest, but it was always a liability. I've a tolerant wife, so I count myself lucky I get to do pretty much as I please. That said, I lost a lot of promising relationships because their tolerance ran out. - Maybe. [Not heel related.] I'm where I am because I engineered it. I provide a lot of entertainment with my heel wearing, making it a pleasant experience for us both. Any situation has to be improved, if there's fun and/or entertainment involved. I have mentioned before (here or HHp) spending an afternoon out with my wife on her birthday in heels. It was during my early daytime heel wearing experience, when I was much less self assured about the idea. We went to an exhibition she was very very very keen to go to, that she knew would be (almost) torture to me. A 40 minute walk around the exhibits, took her 3 hours. I drove 40 miles to the venue. We had a good lunch. Did the exhibition. Spent some time in the bookshop afterward, where I bought her a large volume centred on the exhibition. We then had some supper [pancakes I think] before leaving. She was so wrapped up in the day, I could have had green skin and she may not have noticed. We are going to the same venue to see a band in a couple of weeks. [Elbow at the O2.] Our seats are sponsored (read supplemented) by her employers, but it's still an expensive evening out that wouldn't have happened without my efforts (and wallet) to make it happen. I won't be wearing 5" stiletto's as I might like, but I will be in heels. (We are going to a VIP Suite that's very close to the VIP car park, so 5" heels would be realistic. Proximity helps add to the expense. ) You haven't asked for advice, but I'm going to offer it anyway. (Sorry. ) I would think any woman, or 3rd party male (friend/work colleague) is going to find cowboy boots hard to complain about. It would just be ridiculous (read unreasonable) to create a dispute over a men's style of footwear. They come in various heel heights, even mens. They come at various levels of expense, so don't need to be outrageously expensive [so no Charlie 1 Horse boots.] Buy some with a 2 inch heel, and wear them as a dress shoe. If this creates a problem, then maybe there is an underlying issue that needs to be talked through? One of the things I have in mind when writing about this, is maybe a fear that a shoe with any sort of heel, is the thin end of a cross-dressing wedge? You will know better than any of us, the ways that this could pan out, and may already know if this isn't a goer. If it isn't, if a 2 inch heel would cause problems, there would appear to be issues beyond heels. I'm a less than perfect husband, but I do what I can to (help) have myself appreciated. It earns me Brownie points, that I cash in when I want to wear heels. These days, me not wearing heels would draw more attention than wearing them. Plus, I usually stick to a thicker heel in daylight. (Not always, but usually.) I would hope any of us could earn those 'points', even if it meant cashing in some birthday (present) extra's too? e.g. "It's my birthday and we are eating out in the city, I'd like to wear a modest (chunky) heel." Would it be so unreasonable, given the interest in wearing heels is always on the agenda? I'm not advocating a row/argument over this. I assume there might have been one or two already. But surely there's a place for self-expression in every relationship? As long as it harms no-one, as long as it upsets no-one, why not? With the shoe on the other foot (ha ha) .... While not being a terribly good husband, I try hard to support my wife in everything she does. ["Hard" because it isn't always that easy.] If she comes home upset with work, I support the notion her workplace undervalues her contribution. [Actually, they do.] I agree with her views, and encourage her to stay strong in adversarial situations there. I try to provide good counsel. When she wants to have a holiday away with her girlfriends, although I will miss her, I enthuse about her time away. My jealousy over her having such a good time without me, is never mentioned. When she would prefer to have a drink or two while out (and two would be the max), I will offer to drive her 10 miles to the venue, and collect her to come home, whatever time it is. I encourage her to have a social life away from me. [Help to encourage some independence.] I suppose it's evidence of me caring for her? It isn't one sided. She knows that if I have a need to do something, part of her job is to help me. I'm tempted to say 'part of her duty' ...... but I would loathe to put her in the situation where she thought free choice [to say no] wasn't available. A couple of shoe related examples: (i) Some shoes she knew I liked were bought at discount with her debit card. [Gets points for spending.] I thought I'd overspent on shoes recently, so said I couldn't afford them. She offered to pay fro them as an early Christmas present. (ii) When we were in London recently and I had to take some shoes back, she agreed to return them without much resistance. [i usually do my own returns, but there was an extra ingredient making it easier if she returned them.] I stood close to the till, but the real effort came from her. And I know she doesn't even like taking her own purchases back ..... There's a lot about your life I could envy. But if I had no outlet for my (current) interest, [photography; mountain biking; heels;] I'm not sure I could manage quite as well as you have. And to be frank, I'm not sure I would want to. I'm at the age where people I know are getting unwell. A good friend of a good friend, (I go out with her while wearing heels) found out her good friend was in hospital ill. He's had something of a chest infection for 2-3 weeks, and his girlfriend finally got him into hospital on the Saturday. I managed to get her (my good friend) to see him on the Tuesday evening just before he passed away. [Him fit and active, aged 59.] Another personal friend of mine, has just left hospital having gotten pneumonia. While X-Raying his lungs, they have found a shadow. He will need 3 or 4 more weeks of anti-biotic's before he is fit enough to tolerate chemotherapy. He's in his mid forties, but is a heavy smoker and drinker. They are not sure his liver is in good enough shape for chemo, even if his lungs are. My wife's friend is waiting for treatment on a growth in her neck. Apparently, it's so large now, it's affecting her face and she doesn't want to meet her friends. Her sky-high blood pressure, is preventing early testing and remedial treatment. There are also worries about facial disfigurement, post op, and that's without any further concerns about it being malignant. She in her 50's, and quite a glamorous girl given her age. We lost two neighbours to age related illness in the last month. ** Another has a rare form of stomach cancer, and is not responding well to treatment. ** Speaking to a neighbour this morning, it looks like we have had 3 losses this month. He tells me both halves of a couple passed within a week of each other, not just the husband as I had originally believed. I regularly (too regularly these days), get reminded about how short our life is. We seldom regret the things we do. Most regret comes from things we don't do. For my part, I have many bad decisions behind me, but very few are from me having walked away from doing something I really wanted to do. I certainly could have had a much more productive life, but all work and no play? So you'll understand why I might be reluctant to suppress a strong desire? Not for the first time, I wish you well on your journey. ...........

Thanks. Three more to go .....

Short review of River Island pointed toe ankle boot. [Review #2] Were I to design (or specify) an ultra feminine (girlie) shoe, it would probably look like this. Pencil thin stiletto heel, short pointed toe, and tastefully cropped around the ankle. What's not to like? The heel measures 5 inches high in a River Island 8. There's a small hidden platform of around 10mm that takes some of the strain from the heel, but it's not a shopping height heel. Recreation use only. There'll be no way to disguise a heel scuff on a chrome plated steel heel either. Interestingly, the heel cants inward toward the sole. I've a theory that doing this makes it easier to walk in a heel because the wearers ankle doesn't have to rotate so much. It's something that might not appeal to everyone, but it's sturdy. The heels are uber stable despite their thinness. The shoe was bought on-line because it was easy, and meant I didn't have to search for it. Original purchase price was £85, which like the Zara shoe, was/is at the upper end of any budget I might have. Unlike some of the other on-line retailers, there is a delivery charge of £3-95 with 'next day' delivery at £5-95 if required. On receipt, the shoe looked a bit plasticky. The whole shoe is synthetic/man-made, which makes it moderately expensive at £85. Given ALDO and Zara do leather shoes for a bit less, this shoe needed to be really good to own. Wearing them was okay. Given the heel height, they were never going to be like wearing slippers. The heel height combined with the short pointed toe, will mean most will find them uncomfortable after a while. They have the look of a 'party' shoe though they are plainly not a sandal. I'm absolutely sure, the shiny heel would get any wearer noticed where ever they were. The zip worked fine, and fitted in with the overall look of the boot. River Island usefully supplied an extra set of heel tips. Useful given the slim plastic (triangular) tip might need changing every third time the shoes are worn outside. As I have a slightly larger right foot than left, the fit on the right shoe wasn't perfect. If the shoe had been made of leather, a couple of trips out would have had them moulded to the shape of my foot, but the upper is synthetic. Experience suggests this material gives less, and foot damage was a possibility. Given the high price, it was going to be a difficult decision. Considerations for keeping them, included the aesthetics of the design. Did I like the look enough, to keep them as an ornament? The thin chrome heels would probably prevent them being worn in public (as much as I might enjoy wearing them out) and the short pointed toes would also be a bit of a give away due to the centre seam. Refer photo's. At £85 the answer was a no. Might have been a little different if the price was more reasonable, or the upper was leather. Decision made, they were returned. Shortly afterward, the price was reduced to £40. They are still available, but having decided to return them, they are going to stay returned. (I've sooooooo many other shoes!) And as I keep telling myself, if I can't wear them out, I'm not keeping them.

Short review of Zara ankle boot. [Review #1] I liked the style from first glance, and hoped I would get a pair in my size. Always a bit hit and miss with Zara, and availability is often difficult because they don't over-stock. I guess the idea is they offer new styles in smaller quantities, so seldom have to sell off excess stock at reduced prices..... Of the 3 pairs I tried, (long story) one pair fitted really well, so I got the pair that fitted in EU41, which Zara refer to as a UK8. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, this time it was - though it was close. [Hence having to find a slightly looser pair.] While they have a synthetic sole, the upper is leather. Over time I'm sure even the slightly tighter pairs would loosen and become more comfortable, but I did manage to find a pair with a generous fit anyway. The boots are £70 all but a penny. Internet purchasing is good/easy, and free. This is at the higher end of my usual budget, and shoes have to be a bit special for me to justify that amount given I've so many other pairs .... There is almost no chance to get these in a sale (discounted) as I mentioned before, as stock levels are never high and 'sell-outs' can happen quickly. While the fit for my very slim feet is good, no-one with any width to their foot would be able to wear these. They are made for Italian/Portuguese/Spanish mainland ladies sized feet. There is some padding to the footbed, and walking around on carpet they did feel comfortable. The heel on an EU41 is a little over 4 inches, so quite wearable. The build quality isn't spectacular though. The big problem for me was the rear zip. It seems to have larger teeth than what would be ideal. It's also difficult to do up, and undo. Maybe this would change in time, but my worry is the zip could fail. Also, it's a plated brass zipper. I don't like this colour with black shoes, though it works fine with brown or oxblood. I would prefer self coloured steel or aluminium, with black nylon probably looking best? Since my initial purchase, the style has become available in a weathered tan colour which is more typical of the warm Southern European countries where Zara originated from, and the brass zip looks more suitable with that colour. Given my concerns over the longevity and colour of the zip (that no-one is ever likely to see ), I decided to return them. I'm not convinced I won't live to regret this decision as they are so wearable, but I wasn't sure, so they had to go back. If the zip was a different colour perhaps, or they were on offer in a sale, it would have been a different conclusion. Lovely boot, but not quite lovely enough. ...........

Plan "C" ..... face to face meeting at South Mymms services on M25. Did the deal, and had a loooong chat that nearly got us both paying parking charges, as we stayed right up to the end of the 2 free hour parking limit. (Duh.) Was an interesting person, with the tastes of a collector. I suppose, not unlike myself? Of the 9 pairs on offer this time around, only sold two pairs, and a pair of ladies trousers. I say sold, I'm still waiting for the money for the 2nd pair...... Buyers spending on Christmas presents, rather than buying shoes/boots for themselves maybe? That or they are waiting for the January Sales (that experience tells me, now start around the third week in December!) Won't be costing me anything to re-list, so just a case of waiting for the right buyers I suppose.... P.S. Need to remind myself to do a new count up.

Great report. Dunno that wearing 5" heels in front of strangers (however unintentional) could be described as "baby-steps", though I'm sure the steps would be quite short in 5" heels ......

You have good taste. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your JLO's,

Oh, I don't know? English is the third most widely spoken native language marginally beaten by Spanish due to the South America's, though both together are completely surpassed by Mandarin. When second language speaking, and tertiary levels are included, English is spoken by more people than any other language, including Mandarin. Reference from >> here <<

While your grasp of English spelling isn't 100% perfect, everything you write is perfectly readable! And as for "don't think my adventures are worth writing about" ...... You must be using a better version of Facebook than the one I've seen? It's full (and I mean full) of people writing up about their everyday life, possibly with the odd bit of excitement, but more often than not they seem to write about their (alcohol) drinking habits and toilet frequency? PLEASE! have a go at writing up a visit to your local town? I for one would be very interested.

When I wrote : I had no idea just how good your life can be!! Outstanding night out. 100% agree. My cynicism sits on those who do anything or go anywhere in heels, and maybe thinking their ventures are too insignificant, or uninteresting, to write about them here. As I've mentioned several times in the Heels For Sale section, I've sold my unworn shoes to many men buyers. Tomorrow I expect to meet yet another man who wears heels and has already bought a pair off me. He is going to try on some very high heel boots with a view to buying a second pair. In passing, he wrote in an email he was short on time at that moment because he had another pair to collect that had been posted. He's obviously something of a collector. (Not unlike myself to a degree. ) It's another experience that tells me there are many many many more men wearing heels than we know about. Many more than write here (or on HHp.) My earnest belief is, if every heel wearing man joined into one group, that would be a group of a significant size. ...........

One of my regular heeling venues was attacked and robbed today. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2228680/Brent-Cross-Moment-armed-raiders-rode-shopping-centre-smashing-way-jewellers.html No chance of me being there at 10.15am so I missed the incident. I expect to be there tomorrow night though (Wednesday night). Apparently, quite a lot of jewellery was taken, though one bag of 'swag' was dropped during their exit.....

Thanks for your good wishes. We decided it was time to stop using the Steri-strip over the weekend, and herself washed her own hair for the first time in 3 weeks tonight. The cut is securely joined, though still doesn't look very pretty. Next part of recovery, is rehabilitation. In order to keep the stress to the healing cut to a minimum, her thumb hasn't been used at all. Soft tissue damage aside, the muscles and tendons have been resting for 3 weeks. This has made them stiff, and weak. Add the trauma, getting her thumb useful again is going to be as difficult as repairing the gash..... With use, we are hoping the swelling will begin to subside. The healing wound is still tender, and the swelling can't be helping that. "Time, the great healer."

My comments are added in blue. Doing it this way, made more sense than chopping up the post. I'd say you're having a good (eventful) life, and getting out in heels too - which must bring you pleasure. Many (men)folk would be pleased to have your life. Live it well for us all!

Another pair sold after the bidding stopped. Seems there's a fella interested in heels, 'somewhere' in North London. Too shy for me to visit, so will have to post to a location 3 miles from one of my usual haunts I'll be visiting this week.

Hello and welcome.

Some previously listed but unsold styles have been re-listed on the auction site. Another 6 pairs of mine have been added too. I am surprised at how similar the basic styles are. In fact 3 pairs, are almost identical, though they have completely different materials: 1st pair, completely man-made, but comfortable care of the densely padded footbed. 2nd pair, leather upper with man-made sole, the most expensive of the three and with padded footbed. 3rd, a pair with leather upper and leather sole and when new, still half the price of the second pair..... But no padding in the footbed.... Might need to have a count up of what's left. Not that the newly listed stuff will all sell of course. Think there's 9 pairs on offer at the moment. Even without counting, I know to have over 50 pairs left. ....