Unisex Boots From Y S L

[Puffer]

An acquaintance of mine (not a member here – yet) has a few pairs of HH boots and has recently bought some from YSL, which is offering several similar unisex styles for both men and women with heels of a nominal 30,60 or 85mm.   In fact, the comparable boots for men and women are almost identical, as shown here:

 

The women’s boots (on left) have a heel that is very slightly thinner and higher and the shaft appears a little taller too.   When he went to try and buy at the YSL shop, he was shown the boots for both sexes without any suggestion that they were sex-specific.   As he wears a UK8, he was able to buy the women’s model in a python leather, which he preferred, and which was a little cheaper than the men’s equivalent – if one can use the word ‘cheap’ in relation to something costing £760!

 

I am told that the heel on these in UK8 is actually 95mm (3.75”).   I have seen a pic of him wearing them (fully exposed below normal length narrow trousers) and they look great, and totally acceptable for a man to wear in public.

 

It is interesting that YSL should introduce these unisex styles and I wonder how popular they will be, regardless of the high price?   But it seems that several sizes are already sold out, which suggests there is some demand.   Could we hope for some affordable high street copies?   (Of course, one could get Miguel Jones to make a made-to-measure boot of very similar style for something in the region of £120.)

 

Here is a better pic link to the women’s boots: http://www.mytheresa.com/en-gb/embossed-leather-ankle-boots-458700.html   The other men’s/women’s styles can also be found online, e.g. http://www.farfetch.com/uk/shopping/men/saint-laurent-french-85-boots-item-11101784.aspx

And here is a YSL pic of a male wearer:  http://mesuive.tumblr.com/post/115224070462/saint-laurent-85-french-zipped-boot-in-black

[FastFreddy2]

I am looking to make a comment, but I may need some time to catch my breath ....... £760 !!!!!   

 

 

Very interesting post sir. 

[Puffer]

I am looking to make a comment, but I may need some time to catch my breath ....... £760 !!!!!   

 

 

Very interesting post sir. 

 

Thanks, Freddy.   Your immediate reaction is completely understandable and I share it.   I would hesitate - but probably not withdraw - at one-tenth of that price.   (But the men's boots were dearer still.)

[Puffer]

My acquaintance owning the YSL boots (with 95mm heels) tells me that he has worn them several times in public and clearly likes them - as indeed does his wife, who apparently tolerates his liking for heels but has definite ideas on acceptable styles and makes.   (I think the YSL cachet and the high price tip the balance in his favour; she would probably not approve of a High Street equivalent at one-tenth the price!)  

He has also sent me this very interesting link, which shows nearly 50 'looks', all (except apparently 41) featuring the men's boots (which have the slightly lower 85mm heel): http://lustercatcher.com/2015/05/25/saint-laurent-fallwinter-2015-lookbook-catalogue-preview/   I have to say that I am impressed - most of those 'looks' seem to me quite acceptable for smart, stylish wear and (as one would expect) the boots look perfectly 'right' with them.   One might feel somewhat alienated by the models - mostly emaciated teenagers (pervy priests look away now!)  - but I think that much of what they are wearing would translate into something 'smart casual' for even old farts like me.  

I might just find the courage to venture forth in such garb - but, alas, not the cash.   I wonder how popular 'the look' will be, perhaps with similar but cheaper boots if anyone copies them.

[FastFreddy2]

One might feel somewhat alienated by the models - mostly emaciated teenagers (pervy priests look away now!)  - but I think that much of what they are wearing would translate into something 'smart casual' for even old farts like me.

The 'look' of the models was quite noticeable, not least because I share their leg size, though not their height...

I've bookmarked the link and will be sharing it with Mrs Freddy 'on the morrow'. Thank you for including it.  

I have been trying to acquire similar looks myself, but sadly lack the youthful appearance that would label me 'fashion victim' rather than elderly 'queen'. (I did originally write elderly retard, but this seems unkind to everyone it might pertain to, including myself.) If it's still live. I will add a link to some leg-wear I bought 4-6 weeks ago, at the bottom of the post. 

 

Recently, I have wondered how I would like to see myself, or if given a completely free hand, how would I dress as I moved around the rest of society?

As we get older, some say we grow in confidence, as our experiences accumulate. I'm not sure our experiences just teach us that following a party line only pleases the party, not the individual? The upshot to this startling revelation, is that as we get older, we have less respect for, and less interest in supporting, social convention. I have a growing a fear, that one day I might just give social convention the two-fingered salute and wear what pleases me, not what fits in with the rest of the world. I've not been great at sitting inside normal social convention at any time in my life really....

 

So what would I wear? Messrs YSL seem to be quite close to the style I would choose, if I were break the social convention associated with my age. Shiny/skinny leggings or trousers, with a high heeled ankle boot would certainly be la mode du jour. I often get stared at wherever I go already, I wonder how much more attention I'd get wearing head to toe YSL?   

 

Recent acquisition .... (Not really thought it through as I don't know when I would/could wear them.)

 

 

From >> here << if anyone was interested.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2015 by FastFreddy2
1. Add picture and link. 2. Grammar.

[Puffer]

...

Recently, I have wondered how I would like to see myself, or if given a completely free hand, how would I dress as I moved around the rest of society?

As we get older, some say we grow in confidence, as our experiences accumulate. I'm not sure our experiences just teach us that following a party line only pleases the party, not the individual? The upshot to this startling revelation, is that as we get older, we have less respect for, and less interest in supporting, social convention. I have a growing a fear, that one day I might just give social convention the two-fingered salute and wear what pleases me, not what fits in with the rest of the world. I've not been great at sitting inside normal social convention at any time in my life really....

So what would I wear? Messrs YSL seem to be quite close to the style I would choose, if I were break the social convention associated with my age. Shiny/skinny leggings or trousers, with a high heeled ankle boot would certainly be la mode du jour. I often get stared at wherever I go already, I wonder how much more attention I'd get wearing head to toe YSL?   

...

Interesting comments, Freddy, and I would say much the same.  

Although I have had a couple of pairs of heels for many years, they were never worn except behind closed doors, and then only occasionally.   I then (with much trepidation) bought a pair of men's cuban-heeled boots and plucked up the courage to wear them outside - armed with a few Acrow props in case the sky fell in (which it didn't).  Subsequently, I bought a few pairs of women's boots with heels 3.5 - 4" and have worn them outside (largely hidden under suitable trousers) occasionally with growing confidence.   Likewise a pair of made-to-measure boots from Miguel Jones with 5" heels.  

Although discretion is still called for and I must choose my moment carefully, I am now far less worried about convention or reaction.   Indeed, I almost relish being 'sussed' (as I undoubtedly am) and the time must come when I will wear my heels outside without bothering about concealment.   My clothing otherwise is pretty conventional (i.e. boringly middle-aged - no skirts and frilly tops for me) but many of the YSL looks would be fairly readily achievable - essentially narrowish.skinny trousers and ankle boots with a tapered toe and a 4" slim block heel.   That is how I would like to dress and look - but whether I will get there before I become totally decrepit remains to be seen.   As to convention, I am primarily a conventional person in most respects (because I agree with most conventions I am aware of!) but there is enough rebel in me to resist or disclaim those views or modes of conduct to which I take exception - and they are growing as I get older, wiser and grumpier.

[FastFreddy2]

A brief summary ....

I've always liked heels. Always. Wore my mothers before puberty. Just liked being in them.

Around the time I left school, I got a girlfriend to buy some heels for me, on the pretext of getting some as a pressie for a girlfriend.

Around '84 got my first 'proper' heels, as a pressie from a live-in girlfriend. Frustrated at not being able to socialise wearing them, I got into dressing up as a girl. As I've always looked youthful and was back then built like a stick (26" waist and almost 8 stone) it wasn't hard to do. We went to "Balls" and fetish gigs. It fitted our lifestyle. Our close circle of friends were aware, and we even visited one night after a fetish gig to show them what I looked like. Boy George and his friend Marilyn were in the papers often, it wasn't so strange back then...  

30 years later, I still have a taste for heels. I still like wearing some of the clothes most consider non-masculine. By that I don't mean bra and thong either. I prefer tight fitting clothing. (Almost everyone I know prefers loose fitting, especially the women of my age.) I like stuff (hose/leggings) on my legs. If I wear mans trousers or jeans I have to wear them over-size because a man's cut is uncomfortable, consequently I prefer the fit of a womans trouser. 

 

As I get older, I feel less and less inclined to conform, because it serves me no purpose. If I were independently wealthy, I would have a place 'in town' and create a bubble for me to live in. Ideally, the fashion 'jester' of the cafe set. I'd be getting asked around for coffee or dinner, as the unpaid 'entertainment' for Lord and Lady such and such. Not so much a poor man's Grayson Perry, more like a less funny Eddie Izzard.    

 

Epilogue ...

While watching some TV earlier today (food break from cleaning/decorating) a lady character who was subject of a health report came on, who while slight, wasn't noticeably feminine. Later in the article we saw her partner, who happens to be another woman. My walking (and today 'dinner') friend, asked a fairly innocuous question: "I wonder why it is, some gay women choose to seem so masculine"? Without delving into the testosterone/oestrogen blend debate, I replied "It's maybe how she/they see themselves? Like me, wearing a heel. Just seems right ... "

The worrying aspect of 'how do I see myself' revue, is the lead singer of Dead or Alive; Pete Burns. Someone who transformed themselves from being really quite attractive, into a plastic surgery 'train wreck'. When asked why he had so much plastic surgery, his response is "I want to look how I see myself." This is not what I elude to. 

    

P.S.

It occurred to me later, The general style to which I DO elude, might be that of a "dandy" in many ways, but without any sense of vanity though - since I'm too self-effacing for that.

Particularly pertinent ...

"In Japan, dandyism became a fashion subculture during the late 1990s. Presently,^[when?] the term is also used to refer to an attractive but older, well-dressed man, usually a man in his late 40s or 50s^{[citation needed]}."

Not sure I qualify for the attractive bit, but age and interest are there. 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2015 by FastFreddy2
Grammar. Additional reference to 'dandy'.

[Shyheels]

My interest was in boots rather than heels per se - going back to the late 60s and a very pretty red haired girl who often came to school wearng leghugging go-go boots. I fancied the girl, and as something of an introvert myself, envied her chic qualities and sassy extroversion which was richly suggested, in my mind, by her stylish trendy boots. I wanted a pair too, in my own rather puppyish way, and nearly blurted out this fact without thinking and was crimson faced with embarrassment at this near miss when I woke to the fact that what I fancied were girls boots.

I buried this for many years. Boots were never a fetish or an obsession, just something fashionable that came back to mind each autumn when boots would come out and I would feel wistful that such things were for women only. Last year I said the hell with convention and bought my nice suede OTK boots. I only wish I'd done that earlier.

A lot of confusion built up over the years. Tall fashion boots are so strongly feminised these days that wearing them, heel or no heel, is as fraught for men as wearing the spikiest stiletto - or nearly so. I more or less assumed my liking for these feminine boots had something to do with heels - often a salient characteristic of the boots I liked. It has only been since I bought and wore my boots, with their three inch chunky heels, that I began realising that I woukd be just as happy with flattish OTK boots. Heels were just an added spice.

I'd like to get another pair of tall boots, and I am happily looking at low heeled ones. It is the style that I like, the elegance of them. Heels or no. I hope that doesn't make me a fraud here. As I say, tall boots run neck and neck with heels in terms of riskiness in being worn by men

[Puffer]

I do rather agree with your sentiments on male wearing of women's boots (or shoes) Shyheels.   Men are denied what are often unexceptional footwear styles simply because they are mainly or simply traditionally worn by women - e.g. tall boots, pointed toes, heels higher or slimmer than (say) a 2.5" cuban, strappy sandals.   All of these styles can look good when worn by a man (with the right outfit, and in the right situation) but we are looked at askance if we venture out in anything that is at all unconventional - even if it is just the colour of the leather.   The cowboy boot in its stylised form - even though not really a true working boot - with a high tapered heel, pointed toe and often a high decorated shaft is about as daring as most men in the UK can get without risking public ridicule, and even that is pushing it outside the line-dancing class or fancy-dress party.   I do wear these 'cowgirls' (2.75" heel) under normal length jeans without any issues, but would expect some reaction if the shaft was fully exposed:

 

Do you wear your OTK suede boots with their 3" heels openly in public, over jeans etc?   If so, what reaction have you had?

[Shyheels]

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. 

[Puffer]

... I would wear my suede boots out in public, over heads, without a second's hesitation but I do not live in a vacuum.

... 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. 

1.  Do you mean 'over trousers'?   2.   Maybe not to Tesco's - but fine for Aldi (or maybe Waitrose if you want to go down-market)!

[Shyheels]

I meant over jeans. The auto-correct on my iPad thinks it knows better than me what it is I mean! Drives me nuts!

[FastFreddy2]

... a masculine Three Musketeers look for their lines and using cuissards to round out the look. 

If you people are going to attempt to increase my limited vocabulary, could some effort please be made to include either a glossary, or an example? Like this one perhaps? 

 

 

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. 

"Snap!" 

[Puffer]

Aah - all is now apparent, mon petit ami!   I was confused before and thought 'cuissard(e)s' were a breakfast pastry, the excessive consumption of which would certainly round everything out.   Obviously, I was thinking of croissants or some such comestible.

[Shyheels]

To be alliterative you could wear your cuissardes to the cafe to consume croissants and coffee

[FastFreddy2]

Heels for High Brow men it is then?   

[Shyheels]

Why not? :-)

 

[wetboot]

I would love to be able to wear those leather pants, but don't have the best/longest legs.

[Shyheels]

I might have the legs, but alas I do not have the waist! :-)

[FastFreddy2]

I would love to be able to wear those leather pants, but don't have the best/longest legs.

 

Me neither, but they do roll up (inside) and don't look that bad. My problem is with the underwear. You can see every line, and I don't own any cami-knickers (he says both honestly and tongue-in-cheek) or any other underwear that would be discreet. Actually, I might own a very cheap version of some spanx. I will have to look.  

 

I might have the legs, but alas I do not have the waist! :-)

 

You cycle, and don't have a trim waist?

Ah! Sweet tooth. Say no more.  

[Shyheels]

I would usually be about 20 pounds lighter than I am right now. A couple of injuries and a lot if travel has kept me off the bike far too much this year. I really need to do something about it before this gets too settled!

[FastFreddy2]

When I get time, I'm expecting to get a bit fitter too through cycling. Wonderful form of exercise. 

[Shyheels]

Hard to beat cycling for exercise - low impact, aerobic, enjoyable, and plenty of interesting scenery to keep you interested as you ride. As soon as my schedule gets sorted I shall be going back to my long pre-dawn rides each morning. I am really looking forward to it.

[wetboot]

Yes, a perfect type of exercise.  My poor eyesight coupled with city drivers/traffic  would probably get me flattened quickly though!

[Shyheels]

I have a pretty robust attitude towards traffic and its perceved dangers, but I think riding in a US city woukd be a bit hairy for my liking.