OK...I'm airing out the laundry in the closet here. One thing that most of my friends know about me is my love of fashion. I take risks whenever I can, and brave just about anything. I do love gothic colors - and of course, I gotta have my heels on whenever humanly possible. Granted, I am male, but who is to say what I wear is "right" or "wrong" - true? I don't know if I would have gotten away with as much 10 years ago in the same circumstance, but then again hindsight is always 20/20. I've finally decided that I'm going to do what I feel most comfortable doing, and as history once said "Darn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!".
My collection grew over the summer of 2002, finding fun footwear made by the likes of Dallas Heights, Pleaser, Demonia, The Highest Heel and Sunset Strip - I was amassing quite a collection! Nowadays I seem to have enough fun footwear to last me quite a while! Most of these can be found online through places such as Sexy Shoes and perhaps from the dealers themselves!
I frequent message boards on this subject quite a bit, and some of the people who posts there (many hugs to Francis, JeffB, and Firefox!!!!) told me that if it's what I like to do, then to just go out and DO it! So........I did!
I've been told by people I chat with on some message boards (plug: www.hhplace.org) that the gals I work with may be a bit jealous since I am treading on traditionally female territory, and mastering a technique that some gals have not yet mastered themselves. Ah well...fashion is an equal-opportunity sport. For those who are curious how I braved the "dress code" and managed to carve my own niche (with a MACHETE!) into it, here is how I did it!
 |
I started off wearing some gothic-styled combat boots with 3" platforms, which I like clomping around in a lot - very little reaction at work, if any. You see....this was my big test....how far could I push this dress code thing they have and still have some fun! These boots are great for winter-time as well, since they have good traction. I wore these when it was still cold outside, and my feet stayed toasty warm! The first fashion obstacle was overcome - with STYLE! |
 |
The next step was to change the style a bit, but not TOO much. These boots were just the ticket! I like them a lot since they have a 5" heel and 1.5" platform, with some nice stretchy material on the top that fits nice and snug! I started wearing the black pair first, so as not to be too obvious, but one day when wearing blue jeans, I thought "to heck with it" and decided to brave wearing the WHITE ones! Believe it or not, no negative reactions at all! In fact, most of the ladies I talked to at work were very supportive of my statement! This was great! I could relax at work, and still do what I had to do! I was pushing to be able to wear any "feminine" style I wished, but had to tread waters carefully, so as not to take too large of step and get myself in trouble. Little did I know how easy it would be to go forward! |
 |
I found some really nice leather boots one day that were just divine! Nice 4" heel and no platform! I figured if there was any proving ground yet to be trod, this would be the way to do it! I got a pair in black leather and wore them under pants. The combination was well thought-out, and looked quite sharp! Granted, by this time, some of the guys asked how I could walk in heels like this. I just told them "by putting one foot in front of the other". This proved to be another good combination for everyday wear, and thus was added to the list of styles that would go well. It's hard to find a good LEATHER boot in a size 14, but it CAN be done! I've had the heel tips replaced on these twice now, and they're STILL good for a lot more wear! |
|
|
Hmmm...how to do a "conventional feminine style" and still look good.......this one proved to be easy as well! Just wear them with slacks and dark coloured hose or tights! With tights, the color almost blends perfectly, although the black pair of these I have are actually black patent. In time, I wore black patent, red patent, PINK patent, and white patent....some in 4" heel height, and some in 5! I think I like this style as one of the best, since they make your feet look nicer, and they feel great! Yeah guys...go ahead and think I'm crazy, but I'm the one wearing them, not you. You all go ahead and wear your boring styles if you want to. |
 |
This style, granted, is WAY out in left field, but I thought these were too cool to pass up! Combined with a pair of blue jeans, these platforms are KILLER! This is a 7" heel with 3 1/2" platform - and VERY patriotic! This style defintely turned more than just a few heads, but all in all, received quite a few props from the gals on the floor, most notably that they said they could never walk in platforms like those! I still break these out once in a while for a stroll, and they are really nice and comfy to wear. [Sold on eBay to a good home] |
 |
You know me....always one to push the envelope just a BIT farther each time, but I think I finally hit my peak here - when my ears popped after the altitude change from wearing these skyscrapers! You don't know "stilt walking" until you wear a pair of EIGHT-INCH heels with FOUR-inch platforms! Keep in mind that naturally I am 6'2", so with these, I am almost 7' tall! I still clear all the doorways wherever I go - although some just barely! These come out to play every once in a while though. Believe it or not, I can even drive a vehicle wearing these blocks o' style! [Sold on eBay to a good home] |
 |
Back in the 50's, they used to have a pump called the "Baby Doll" - a nice 4" heel with rounded toe that is just too classy! Well...guess what guys! It's back! When I found these, I just had to get a pair! I picked these up in black, and someday I'll pick them up in red as well, since I have some clothes that would go well with them! This is a style I wear a lot nowadays and it goes very well with my outfits that I wear to work. Gals...if you ever get a chance, slip your feet into some of THESE! You'll never regret it. I know I never do! |
 |
My jaw dropped when I saw these! This style is just out of this world - literally! These have got to be some of the most comfortable boots I've worn yet! What's cool is that they zip off, and the toes are open! I don't have many pairs of clear platforms, but I had to wear these, cuz they felt sooo good when I tried them on! So far, I think this is the most outrageous style I've worn out, and especially to work, yet (unless you count the 8" sandals as the most outrageous)! One of my friends at work tried them on, and could barely get 4 steps before she had to sit back down. Yes...I said SHE - not he. [Sold on eBay to a good home] |
I hope you enjoyed this little journey that I took to heeling freedom at my place of work. No, I'm not gonna say where it is since some companies don't like that sort of thing. But my friends who know me know all about it, and they are the most wonderful, supportive bunch of friends that I know. :-)