Why I wear heels

[Tacchi Alti]

My usual wedges with rubber heels, so silent, although the floor was carpeted so that wouldn't have made any difference inside. However, I've worn noisy wedges and stilettos too, and got no reaction. The heels don't show when I stand, but they do when I walk or sit down. I've been to conferences with 5000 people present, in my usual wedge boots, and even asked a girl who knew I was wearing them whether anyone had mentioned them to her, but no one had. Regarding foreign travel, I flew to New York last year wearing my concealed heels (about 4 inches), and had to take them off through security, so I was tiptoeing through to keep my trouser bottoms off the floor. 

[FastFreddy2]

6 minutes ago, Russ in boots said:

 However, I've worn noisy wedges and stilettos too, and got no reaction.

I don't think I've been anywhere, ever, where I haven't been spotted by someone.

The shoe and trouser combination I wore to Lakeside yesterday, only allowed for a (fairly pointed) tiny triangle of my shoe to be seen out from underneath my jeans, and even walking, my heels were mostly covered. (They were a little on the noisy side though. Not obtrusively so, but noisy for a man's shoe.) It wasn't like every person in the gaff recognised my footwear, far from it. But I know I was spotted, at least once and likely twice thinking on it. (The time I know my shoes were spotted has been mentioned elsewhere.) 

So far, with me now in my ninth year of wearing heels in public during the day, I've not had much in the way of adverse reactions, just a range of people recognising I might not be wearing flat shoes. Usually them sitting provides a high incidence of spotting me, their line of sight being closer to my feet. Same is true of children. (Potential No.3 'spotter' yesterday was a little person in Superdrug.) Lastly, women, especially women of colour are particularly successful at noticing. The one time I remember being embarrassed, was when spotted by two Clarins reps in House of Fraser Lakeside some 6 or 7 years ago. I saw at least one looking at my shoes, and the two 18/19/20 something Essex girls had a giggle at my expense. I could have laughed at their trowelled on makeup, completely unnecessary for people so young, but TOWIE has a well-deserved reputation. These girls were obviously fans. At the time I was wearing a 4" rubber wedge heels. Absolutely silent, hidden for the most part by my jeans. The toe shape was a bit of a giveaway, it only needed someone to look. One of them did, and 'shared' with her colleague.

Other than that, shop staff are generally good at spotting a man in heels. As are doormen/doorwomen. Both Zara and Primarni Oxford Street have security on every entrance/exit, and I doubt I've been past any of them without my footwear being noticed. I get smiles and nods sometimes, but more often I just get a discreet look.

[Shyheels]

Police or airport security would notice as well. You would certainly be spotted if you went into a casino. People there are trained to look for anything different or out of the ordinary. Not that they'd care, but they would notice. 

Edited April 3, 2017 by Shyheels

[FastFreddy2]

3 hours ago, Puffer said:

(My preferred - indeed only - regular holiday was a week on the UK canals with a group of like-minded friends, but alas they ceased to be annual fixtures as people 'drifted away' (not literally).)   In more recent years, however, retirement has made an annual holiday more appropriate and do-able and, for me, a week's Mediterranean cruise fits the bill.   So - never say never.

 .......

Must go now - time for my medication and therapy ... 

I am warming to the notion of a 'canal' type holiday. I have had a cat for 4 years almost to the day. I will not leave him with anyone he doesn't know, and certainly not at a cattery. If I can't take him with me, I won't be going, and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't enjoy the car ride anyway. He might enjoy the wandering bit. (LOVES to chase/catch mice.) 

While being at sea sounds attractive too, like many on board, I would not be passing the dessert table without trying everything on it.  As far as cake and anything sweet is concerned, I have no self control at all. 

 

2 hours ago, Shyheels said:

With the train one can just look out the window, or people watch, or read or even sleep - no need for constant vigilance in traffic as there is driving, and the need to hunt up a parking place.

I've been driving for over 40 years, and even being in heavy traffic (yesterday), seems little more difficult/challenging to me than walking. In fact using my bicycle seems to be more demanding given I'm bad weather adverse when it comes to riding...

Unlike you two, Central London (West End) is no more than an hour away. Brent Cross - a PITA to get to on public transport, is at worst 40 minutes away. A rail journey there would be (well) over an hour and I would still need a 15/25 minute walk to get to the mall. Westfield White City is the similar though slightly worse. I would have to go into Central London to get there. Less grief driving. A Travelcard isn't inexpensive, and while tyres and other consumables cost, most of that has to be paid for whether the car gets used or not. My back tyres will go rotten before they wear out, service items get changed if I do 10 miles or 10 thousand. My car is well under expected mileage, and is old enough for it's condition to be more important than it's mileage. Depreciation is measured on it's age now, no longer mileage. The benefits of driving an older car....

I can't remember the last time I paid for parking in London. Typically I go on a Sunday, or weekday evenings. I time my weekday journeys to arrive when parking charges are over for the day, often staying to shop and then eat out afterward. Driving in, I am against the home-going traffic, and leave when the roads are much quieter. If I walked out of Selfridges at the same time a train traveller did, I would expect to be home about the same time if we both travelled to the same destination (ie where I live.) If there was anything in it (either way) I expect it to be minutes, and I would have a seat the whole journey too.

We each do what suits us best. Mine is driving. 

 

Edited April 3, 2017 by FastFreddy2

[FastFreddy2]

28 minutes ago, Shyheels said:

Police or airport security would notice as well. You would certainly be spotted if you went into a casino. People there are trained to look for anything different or out of the ordinary. Not that they'd care, but they would notice. 

 

1 hour ago, Russ in boots said:

 Regarding foreign travel, I flew to New York last year wearing my concealed heels (about 4 inches), and had to take them off through security, so I was tiptoeing through to keep my trouser bottoms off the floor. 

 

One of the "fiasco" holidays I referred to, had me picked out for taking my knee high boots (slim/long cowboy boot style) off to be scanned. I was scarlet faced, but no-one batted an eye, nor did any of the 200+ people queuing behind me. I don't walk anywhere without something on my feet (since treading on a black spiny sea anemone in Greece) so I wasn't happy to be walking on ground covered by dirty shoes or dirty feet at a rate of around 500 per hour. Worse, our flight got cancelled for 20 hours after we got flight-side. (When I went through again next day, I put on my transparent jelly sandals. - Not stopped a second time.)

I remember getting spotted by security, and possibly police when leaving the O2 a couple of years ago. I was wearing very high heeled courts with ankle strap at the time though. They have a hidden platform, and I struggle/struggled to walk in them. I hadn't had any practice wearing them before, nor since thinking about it. I'm sure my 'ungainly' gait would have helped me get spotted.   

[Shyheels]

One of the reasons I do not wear my OTK boots when travelling - they are pull-on boots and there is nowhere to sit and take them off before you put them through the X-ray, only chairs on the other side of security.  I have taken to wearing synthetic hiking boots for travel - they slip through security easily without my having to remove them and they are also generally useful to have wherever I am going.  

[Puffer]

10 hours ago, FastFreddy2 said:

I am warming to the notion of a 'canal' type holiday. I have had a cat for 4 years almost to the day. I will not leave him with anyone he doesn't know, and certainly not at a cattery. If I can't take him with me, I won't be going, and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't enjoy the car ride anyway. He might enjoy the wandering bit. (LOVES to chase/catch mice.) ...

Yes, a canal holiday is both relaxing and reasonably energetic at the same time - highly recommended.   BUT, even for experienced canallers, it is preferable to go as a small party (say 6) in a reasonably large narrowboat - say with 8 berths, giving a bit more room for each person.   I say this because if there are only 3 or 4 (a family, say), it is all too easy for the same people to be lumbered with the steering or the locks (or the cooking) nearly all the time.   So, get a few friernds together (apart from the cat, who might wander away into oblivion) before you cast off.   (I don't really recommend a secluded towpath after dark for heeling activity - too many trip and fall-in hazards - but the possibility is there for the dedicated.) 

10 hours ago, FastFreddy2 said:

...  Unlike you two, Central London (West End) is no more than an hour away. ...

I can in fact be in Trafalgar Square, for example, an hour after shutting my front door - if I go by train.   By road, even without peak-period hold-ups, it would take closer to two hours under present-day conditions and use a full two gallons of diesel for the return journey, costing almost £11 against an off-peak train fare of £13.90.   OK for two people, not so good for one.

Edited April 3, 2017 by Puffer
typo

[Shyheels]

The prospect of driving up to London, from where I live at any rate, is deeply off-putting, both for costs and hassle. The train is not great, but far preferable from here than the car. I can't think of anyone who drives from here into the city. 

My preferred form of transport for a holiday these days would be bicycle. I love cycle touring and have done much in Britain and Europe (touring as opposed to long solo cycling expeditions, which I have also done much of in much more remote parts of the world.)  There is something elegant about seeing the countryside by bicycle, with a change of clothes in your saddlebag, and staying in B&Bs at night...

To return to the subject of heels, a touring bicycle is not a very good mode of transport for wearing them, or OTK boots for that matter!  

Edited April 4, 2017 by Shyheels

[FastFreddy2]

11 hours ago, Puffer said:

I can in fact be in Trafalgar Square, for example, an hour after shutting my front door - if I go by train.   By road, even without peak-period hold-ups, it would take closer to two hours under present-day conditions and use a full two gallons of diesel for the return journey, costing almost £11 against an off-peak train fare of £13.90.   OK for two people, not so good for one.

After 15 minutes of trying, I've given up even trying to find the current price of a Travelcard to include NR and Underground travel. Last time I looked (several years ago) it was up to £26 for off-peak. Been a couple of rises since then. Fuel for the journey comes in at £10 or just under.

So taxi to, or parking charge at, station. x2 rail fares, 20 minute BR 'fast' train journey (40 minutes 'slow'), 10 minutes walk into underground station and an hour or so after starting my journey using 'fast' train, I reach my destination. Return journey means slightly longer travelling time as there are fewer trains, sometimes with drunken/boisterous people sharing the carriage I'm in. Then a wait for taxi at journeys end (or walk to car if in car park.) 

Or I get into car, drive into North London listening to music of my choice in comfortable seat with no smelly or noisy weirdo's anywhere near me. Spend 5 minutes finding (free) parking space, and we're there. Same short comfortable journey to get home.

It's an easy choice for me....

 

5 hours ago, Shyheels said:

The prospect of driving up to London, from where I live at any rate, is deeply off-putting, both for costs and hassle. The train is not great, but far preferable from here than the car. I can't think of anyone who drives from here into the city. 

My preferred form of transport for a holiday these days would be bicycle. I love cycle touring and have done much in Britain and Europe (touring as opposed to long solo cycling expeditions, which I have also done much of in much more remote parts of the world.)  There is something elegant about seeing the countryside by bicycle, with a change of clothes in your saddlebag, and staying in B&Bs at night...

To return to the subject of heels, a touring bicycle is not a very good mode of transport for wearing them, or OTK boots for that matter!  

With no knowledge of your location other than 'South' somewhere, it would be hard to fully understand the comparison, but .... Assuming you are somewhere with a good London train service (like Brighton, although I know it isn't Brighton), I might be tempted by the trains too. A fast single train journey at reasonable cost would beat a long car journey regardless to the other attractions of using a car. (Safe, quiet, comfortable environment.)

I too would find the cycle-touring an attractive way to travel, to see things/places I might not otherwise see. I couldn't be doing that on roads though, here or anywhere else. It maybe goes back to happy-times on one as a child, but I really do enjoy cycling. 

Edited April 4, 2017 by FastFreddy2

[Shyheels]

If you stay on the lanes, cycling in Britain is delightful and nearly traffic free. 

 

[FastFreddy2]

1 hour ago, Shyheels said:

If you stay on the lanes, cycling in Britain is delightful and nearly traffic free. 

 

Not up here.

Anywhere motorised traffic is allowed = deathtraps. No such animal as a 'quiet road'. 

There are dedicated cycle routes though, which are pleasant to use, and involve a fair amount of variety in terms of surfaces. Meaning, some tarmac, some mud, some gravel, some flat, some challenging gradients. Though I never fail to get a puncture whenever I go out. Mr Tyre Maker says 40psi in tyres which I do. Apparently, 30-35psi provides lower chances of getting thorn punctures. I won't fill inner tubes with goo, but I'd like to find a way to prevent so many 'incidents'.

[Shyheels]

I can't solve your traffic issues, but I can put you right on a pair of tyres that are damned near bullet proof. Schwalbe Marathon Plus.  They are the tourers' gold standard. Fit and forget.  I understand that it is possible to get punctures with them  - it has been known to happen - but never to me and I have ridden tens of thousands of miles on them, on glass-strewn city streets to rough back roads in Africa to thorny Australian scrub.

The handle well in the wet and they are incredibly durable. Figure on 15,000 to 20,000 miles for a pair. They are not lightweight tyres, but not as heavy as some performance driven cyclists like to make out. I have often covered 100+ miles a day using them on a loaded touring bike, so they are not overly stodgy and slow.

[Puffer]

Your 'travel' position is well understood, Freddy and clearly your circumstances do favour the car rather than the train.   As a matter of record, your train journey (off-peak return) would cost £16.80 (or £14.90 on some trains) and take 27 or 40mins; a Travelcard would be £22.00.   OK, if you need a taxi or pay-parking your end, that inflates the cost.   In my case, the 40 min journey on a frequent service is cheaper after 10am (the £13.90 quoted before) and I am near enough to the station to walk (10 mins) although free street parking nearby is usually available.   I don't need a Travelcard unless I want to explore further afield than the immediate West End - but even then I can travel free on the bus.

I used to live in Brighton and, yes, the London train service is pretty good - EXCEPT for the last 6m or so with the ongoing and very disruptive strike action making things very difficult much of the time.   I had a bike too when I first moved to Brighton but the area is rather too hilly to make cycling much fun.   Maybe I will get one now I live in a flatter area as the exercise would be beneficial - but leisure-cycling (or any other activity that is not directly productive) has little appeal for me.

[Tacchi Alti]

But do you wear heels on your bike? ;-)

[Shyheels]

15 minutes ago, Russ in boots said:

But do you wear heels on your bike? ;-)

Nope! 

It strikes me as a rather risky way to ride - if you were wearing stilettos you could easily slip your heel into the drive train or the front derailleur and that would be no fun at all. That said, I have seen a couple of very elegant women in stilettos and in high heeled boots pedalling Dutch bikes (with chain guards) in London. 

[FastFreddy2]

As a matter of record, your train journey (off-peak return) would cost £16.80 (or £14.90 on some trains) and take 27 or 40mins; a Travelcard would be £22.00.

 

Actually, the cheapest way to go (offpeak) I've just found to £24.60 (or £30.80 without discounts). So two people travelling would cost £49.20 which is a couple of pounds cheaper than expected, assuming I've done my bit correctly. Nearly £40 dearer than the fuel cost less marginal tyre wear. Make two journeys and I've paid for two new tyres. I make the London trip, perhaps every other week. I've done 50,000 miles on the back tyres, and they will go rotten before they wear down enough to need replacing. I'm very gentle on the brakes....  

Edited April 4, 2017 by FastFreddy2

[FastFreddy2]

2 hours ago, Shyheels said:

I can't solve your traffic issues, but I can put you right on a pair of tyres that are damned near bullet proof. Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

I have priced up the MTB version. Around £25 each delivered

Thank you for the lead. 

 

Russ.

While I wouldn't normally consider riding a bike wearing heels, I did think I would wear heels out and about somewhere, with a bicycle as company. Should I see people I'd sooner avoid, I could simply ride away. (Or swap shoes, and ride away.)

 

[FastFreddy2]

36 minutes ago, Shyheels said:

Nope! 

It strikes me as a rather risky way to ride - if you were wearing stilettos you could easily slip your heel into the drive train or the front derailleur and that would be no fun at all. That said, I have seen a couple of very elegant women in stilettos and in high heeled boots pedalling Dutch bikes (with chain guards) in London. 

Me too, and I have pictures somewhere .... 

Edited April 4, 2017 by FastFreddy2

[Tacchi Alti]

I was just trying to introduce something heel-related to the cycling conversation! Perhaps they should be made obligatory for the Tour de France. Could be interesting on the hairpin bends. En haut les talons... Now I'll turn back over and go to sleep

Edited April 4, 2017 by Russ in boots
typo

[Shyheels]

Well, I still like my old fashion flat pedals instead of the new-fanged clipless ones as this gives me the ability to ride in any sort of footwear I choose rather than be confined to cleated cycling shoes, so at least the possibility of cycling in heels is open to me if I do chose.

I can think of more exciting sports to attempt in heels though. How about weightlifting. Imagine the excitement of being a judge, sitting in the front row, and seeing a super heavyweight lifter with 266kg barely over his head in the clean-and-jerk staggering towards you in his pair of specially strengthened 6" Louboutins. 

Another great event - to observe, not participate in - that could be in stilettos would be the triple jump. Or the long jump. 

[FastFreddy2]

16 hours ago, Russ in boots said:

I was just trying to introduce something heel-related to the cycling conversation! Perhaps they should be made obligatory for the Tour de France. Could be interesting on the hairpin bends. En haut les talons... Now I'll turn back over and go to sleep

Hopefully, the changes are noticeable. The high heel 'sandal', penny farthing.

 

 

[Shyheels]

Scary contraptions, the old pennyfarthings...

at an airport again this morning, heading overseas. The dining room in the BA first class lounge, by the way, is decorated with art house prints of high heels...

[FastFreddy2]

31 minutes ago, Shyheels said:

The dining room in the BA first class lounge, by the way, is decorated with art house prints of high heels...

I'm envious of your location, but not the reason to be there. (You are welcome to that bit.) Safe journey. 

Edited April 5, 2017 by FastFreddy2

[Tacchi Alti]

Surprised that term hasn't been decimalised. Ideal bike for heels - no chain, no gears, and a wonderful excuse for 30 inch heels

[Shyheels]

Actually what we know as a penny farthing was known in the day as an 'ordinary' to distinguish it from the 'safety' bicycle, which had two same sized wheels and a chain - the bicycle we know today