FastFreddy2

In the UK, 'students' [18 to 21 year olds at University] have something of a reputation for spending as much time drinking and socialising, as they might spend studying..... Over here, you'd be getting plenty of 'me' time ..... Maybe be an unrealistic notion, but it could be an incentive to travel out in moderate height heels, that might be something sensible your wife owns? Just a thought. ....

Sadly you are correct. There have been times when it might not be the case, but I seem to be fairly consistent with my input, week on week. My mother has described me as something of a free spirit. I think translated means, I do what I want, when I want. [Finances allowing.] It helps that I'm easily pleased. Don't do expensive holidays, expensive cars, nor expensive lifestyle. Consequently I have few constraints. I enjoy wearing heels that have me up on my toes. Not bedroom slipper height [5+ inches], but wearable for most social situations, though usually by women of course. I have loads, possibly 50 pairs ..... At the moment, wearing them is my only pleasure. I can't live long enough to wear them all, so I'm looking to thin down the 'Collection'. Well, that's the intention. Think I've bought 7 pairs in the last week. With only the one [expensive] pair certain to go back to the seller. At my age, there is a decreasing range of opportunities for social activity in regular shoes. Wearing heels reduces that to almost none, so shopping or days out, are my usual venues for wearing heels. Seems like I mange to find more of these, than most other chaps here? Or is it they are just more important for me than most? I think not, I've just managed to find a way to include them ..... ....

Although its been running for 6 months there are still only 11 voters? Slightly disappointing, because it suggests only 11 members have been outside in heels? Given how many members here really like wearing heels, it would have been more reassuring we had made some progress in our style choice if more of us had experience to report..... It is an interesting poll that continues to get votes cast. With a trend that so far shows mostly a positive response. ....

Unless I misunderstand ...... My calendar says there's another 3 months left of this year? You won't get any 'alone time' for over 3 months? 'Blige, that's a long time without something you like (and doesn't do you any harm).... Though those 6" high sandals look pretty dangerous. I hope I have this wrong?

Regardless to whether I expect them to be published, I take 'street pictures' all the time. Currently my mobile has an unremarkable camera, but it produces a recognisable image, if only just. My fast-power-up camera is better, but has a slower than optimal focussing system. I spent 20 minutes only yesterday, in a Jessops discussing the Samsung NX11 as a possible solution. I'd grown bored with seeing the same images at Forum startup, and there seemed little prospect of this changing given just how few piccies are posted in the members galleries. Most of my linked photo's are held in my own library where any guest can see them and still make sense of my posts. The street shots I take seldom have detail that could identify wearers, and if they do I remove this. Car registration details, and faces are removed, as would be any street names (unless I missed them). As a further layer of security, I've also made them 'member only' visible, so while being 'published' as such, this isn't indiscriminate publishing. Placing these images in the Gallery section may also help to rotate the startup set, so regular visitors will not get so tired of seeing the same ones over and over. I think it an unlikely situation, but should any member develop the opinion a particular image isn't attractive or might be unsuitable, please send me a PM and I'm sure I can do something to amend the issue. Should anyone want further details of any image, again I'll be happy to oblige via PM. .....

I don't often find styles I like, and many of their shoes seem too expensive given what they are. Their sister group Priceless, are much the same. Styles have almost doubled in price during the past 3 years. Until I got enticed into buying the Schuh courts [at discount prices], I wouldn't have looked at Schuh either. Office seldom has anything suitable, and Nine West seem to be going the same way. Top Shop and River Island have about one style per season I really like. KG and Carvela produce a couple per season. The store that ALWAYS delivers several styles I'd like to wear, is ALDO. And coincidently, I've decided I like the Levere style so much I've ordered a second pair. More on that another day...... .....

Well, I went to Westfield Stratford. Didn't get to wear the Menzies, though I had them with me. Decided against, ONLY because I had neglected to take into account the light undersides of the shoes which I had planned to darken before and if I wore them out during the day. I believe the lighter sole on a dark heeled shoe is there to make the contrasting heel stand out more. Not something I wanted today .... Wore the ALDO Levere I'd worn for a short while in Cardiff a couple of months ago. Same heel height as the Menzies, same difficulty in disguising my altered walk. They also have a thinner heel than the style I usually wear, but come with the standard darker sole. I drove to the venue, and parked in B Car Park, which is next to Waitrose [one end of the mall] and on the lower ground floor. Getting out of my car I immediately found myself parked next to a bay reserved for a disabled shopper, with a disabled shopper getting into his vehicle. There were few other people around, and almost no background noise at all. I had to wait until the fella was inside his vehicle before I dare clip clop off toward the mall entrance. [Great start.] This distraction meant I left my camera in plain sight on top of the dash, where I'd placed it to allow me to put on my heels..... Photo's another day then? Once at the mall entrance, a young female 'greeter' stood guard. I had to time myself so she got distracted and I could enter without being approached, which I managed. Inside, a moving path angled sharply downward with me on it, making my 4 1/2" heels feel more like 6". I needed the toilet and one was at the disembark point. Obviously the start and stop of a journey attracts the use of toilets so them being positioned there, was no accident. Once [ahem] relieved, I made my way into the mall proper. It was busy, and I was happy about this. My first 10 minutes at Westfield had me walking around too few people. [Car park and toilet.] I'm much happier secreting myself inside a larger, noisier group. It will surprise no-one, I visited every shoe shop there save Barratts. I spent 3 1/2 hours walking around, both inside, and outside. There was only one incident to mention, and one other that was no bother..... The biggy was in New Look. A very large, short, Afro-Caribbean girl, of about 25 years must have spotted my heels. I caught her trying to peek at my shoes while leaving her friend and their children in an adjacent isle. Suspecting this, I moved out of her line of sight. I saw her talk to her friend, and her friend tried a wider route to look at my shoes a little less discreetly. I let her know I was watching her, and they then both stayed away from me. I left soon afterward anyway, and didn't go back. I don't think there was any malice in this, just a little shock followed by some curiosity..... An hour later, a little Chinese girl about 4ft in height and shopping with her girlfriend 'noticed' my walk as we approached each other. She looked back, as did I, and I smiled at her. Something to tell her grandchildren? As I suggested yesterday, there were security people everywhere. Most shops had a presence at their doorway too. I didn't notice any of them look at my shoes, and my walking style [hip rolling as girls in heels do], would have been unmistakable. Thankfully I presented little interest for them. Even outside the immediate confines of the malls and along the walkways, I attracted no attention I was aware of. Not all of the shops are open yet, and I would recommend a first visit toward the end of September 2011 if you travel any distance. There are 3 main walkways each shaped in a gentle curve, stacked on top of each other. There is a smaller 4th floor, which is mostly budget restaurants, and a cinema. There are food courts at the ends and middle of the mall. Avoid Marks and Spencer coffee shop. 15 minutes for a coffee? Driving there and parking, then getting home, wasn't difficult or slow in either direction. I had a great visit. I liked the place, but I won't be making a special visit again. It's a typical UK mall with typical UK mall shops. I much prefer Bluewater, and Lakeside is larger when the retail parks there are taken into account. Reason for edit: Typo. ....

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. .....

Forget your second comment is slightly out of context, but why should visiting a new place in high heels be any less of a challenge for me, than for you? I have 3 pairs of the Menzies [hopefully only 3] and all unworn. They are fairly 'girlie' and have a stiletto heel. If ever I'm going to have people [the general public] staring, it's because of this heel shape..... While standing still I might conceal the heel, while walking the heel will be seen, and my walking style [gait] will also be a bit of giveaway I have heels on. Not because I will walk awkwardly, but because I will not be able to walk in a manly fashion. My steps will be shorter, my hips will have to work harder..... Most folk are socially aware. Meaning, that unless they are upset by something, you'll at least give the appearance they've not noticed you've got green skin or two heads. As with heels too. Most men will not stare of make comment. Historical experience suggests women are less interested in being discreet and may stare, even laugh to a friend ..... Security chaps and chapesses are paid to stare, and paid to notice. They are not at all concerned with social niceties, and will let anyone with green skin or two heads, know they have been noticed. At Westfield White City, I once had a member of security practically walk up and down past me while I sat. Later he was joined by a colleague. Every other member of security I saw during that visit kept themselves busy moving from one area to another. Sure it may have been coincidence, but I did see the first fella look at my [cowboy style] boots whenever he passed me..... I've had similar experiences with security staff at Pimarnie [Primark] and Zara. In fact one fella at Primark was so obviously staring at me, I very nearly walked back into the shop to complain about him. [i didn't because it would have done nothing to make me any happier about the situation.] The worst thing that could happen to me, is children or youths point and laugh. [Or worse, be abusive.] I doubt that would happen. But anyone staring for any length of time would make me feel uncomfortable. Thinking about it, even without heels on, anyone staring would make me feel uncomfortable, wouldn't it most folk? Stratford is in what would be considered one of the poorer parts of London. There are many folk there, who are first generation immigrants, and possibly still hold the values from their homeland as those values they should hold here. Many times we have had reported here in the UK, African, Muslim, and West Indian cultures believe 'gays' should be killed. In those countries [as here] high heeled men=gay. In conclusion, I'm looking to visit a place where the locals [shoppers] aren't likely to find a man wearing heels culturally acceptable, and may want to voice their opinion. It's also a place where a fair number of burly men are being paid to spot anything unusual ..... I can't imagine not being nervous? Reason for edit: Grammar. ....

It's looking more and more likely I'll be at Westfield ~ Stratford this Friday 16th September. I'm hoping to be wearing heels. A pair of Carvela Menzies ..... if I can hold my nerve .... I've mentioned before, security at Westfield malls is very 'present'. I doubt you're ever far from an employee (or two) with handsets linked to camera operators watching shoppers. I'm sure I've been noticed [in heels] walking around the White City branch in the past...... Stratford is very ethnic, and I'm sure many will wonder if there is a long-term opportunity for the stores there, given the budgets of the locals. White City is closer to the wealthier parts of London, but even that is never busy when I've been there. I'd guess the rents and service costs at Stratford will be higher, even heart-stoppingly high ..... With free parking at Lakeside and Bluewater, saving a little time, is the only benefit of Stratford that I can see? Reason for edit: Link added.

Had more bad news on Sunday morning. After an early start on Monday and an out of town appointment, did some more window shopping. Saw some boots I would like to have bought, but these were obsolete styles with only smaller sizes available. Most notably a couple from H+M. Style 1. Style 2. Trawling the internet Sunday night for the right size in >> these << I managed to buy a pair in EU 42 from the St. Albans store. Probably not to keep, though the jury is still out on that. They fit okay-ish, and have a very manly [wearable] front to them, but £65? Note the sizing on the box...... They are NEVER a size 9, and NEVER a US 11 1/2. Actually they are closer to a small US10 and possibly small EU41. [40 1/2 even?] Saw >> these << in Dorothy Perkins. Wearable, but £45 for PU boots? Has the world gone mad? Had a little try-out with the Internationale courts today [Tuesday]. They are very comfortable, and very stable. In fact the heel is so stable [ie no twist what-so-ever] they feel like you are walking in block heels! Possibly I should do a short review .... Reason for edit: Grammar. .....

No upset, so no apology required, thank you all the same. Just re-read your original post this is taken from. Seems a bit of an odd comment [on reflection] since your girlfriend does not post here either? Wives and girlfriends are hardly likely to post on a forum about an interest they are not keen for their husbands of boyfriends to indulge in. [That would be most of them I expect?] In contrast, your girlfriend is happy for you to wear heels [and other female clothing], but doesn't post. And is sad other women who perhaps don't approve aren't posting? Little bit contradictory perhaps? Reason for edit: Further comment added.