The “Fun” Factor
Posted on February 15, 2012
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When I look at society and the clothes we wear, there is a difference between the genders that is not normally discussed. From casual wear to formal wear, men have very little socially acceptable variance. A bright t-shirt or jacket with a cartoon print or design on it. A polo or button down with, oh my gosh, a pattern. (hopefully not paisley anymore).
Formal wear is very strict with a neutral or dark colored jacket and pants or a tux. You can get away with a blue tux but everyone will treat you like you are crazy.
Now, look at what women wear. From casual wear to formal dress, women are encouraged to have “fun” with fashion. Even when they wear a conservative business suit or a formal gown, they can accessorize with some really creative and fun shoes. Casual wear includes anything from the men’s side of the closet and just about anything that can be imagined. Off one shoulder, halter top, poofy, frilly, slinky, shiny, and any combination or variation is perfectly acceptable. Shorts, short-shorts, pants,dress, skirt, gown, capris, and just about any bottom you can imagine is available.
When you look to formal wear, almost anything goes now. Dresses made from almost any pattern or material has been seen on the runway for formal events. It is almost a contest for women to have the most “Fun” dress. Lady Gaga is on the extreme end of that scale but just look how far ‘regular’ women go today compared to 20-30 years ago.
The point of all this, women have fun with their fashion while I see nothing fun about men’s fashion today. Men’s shoes are limited to a few styles, usually in earth-tones. Tennis shoes might have some bright colors or designs but the construction of the shoe is the same.
Women’s shoes have every combination of color and designs but go much farther as the actual construction of the shoe is completely open to customization. Heels take on just about every shape and height. Themes are applied to the entire shoe or an element, such as ribbons, feathers or metal studs. Women’s shoes shout “Look at me!” Men’s shoes are not supposed to stand out.
Understanding this, I feel that it is time for men to have “Fun” with their fashion. I love High Heels so I choose to have fun with my various styles and colors of stilettos, wedges, platforms and chunky heeled shoes. I want to wear clothes (shoes) that scream “Everybody look at me! Aren’t I the coolest shoes you have ever seen?” Even in casual situations, women can wear sequined flashy heels under their jeans and it looks great. Men deserve the same options without being judged as ‘weird’ or ‘gay.’ The more of us that get out there and show off our shoes, the faster society adjusts and it starts to seem normal.
In the 70s, I remember men wearing earrings got a lot of, not so positive, attention. Now, no one really thinks twice about a man in earrings. Our shoe choices can be the same way in a few years. It just takes us to blaze the trail, endure the consequences for bit, and encourage others that want to join in.
We guys that wear heels in public are all spread across the world. In some ways, it would be better if we could all be in a small area and help each other out while making male heels become ‘normal’ for that area. In other ways, perhaps it is better that we are all spread all over the world making changes to people’s attitudes about fashion everywhere at the same time.
All I know is that a large number of guys want to wear heels for many different reasons. I happen to like the “Fun” factor of heels. They can be admired, collected, worn and used in battle with the other heel lovers when encountered out in public. “Who has the coolest shoes?” Isn’t it fun when it’s a guy for a change?
NYC Men Wearing Heels To Clubs
Posted on November 2, 2011
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We have been seeing articles about men wearing heels in the club scene around London and Los Angeles for some time now. This recent article hit the New York Times Fashion & Style section.
I hope this continues to catch on. While I wear more masculine styles in public I can’t wait until a man in bright red strappy 5″ stiletto sandals barely gets a second look, except to inquire where he found his shoes.
Read the Article on the NYT Website
Men in Heels: it’s still happening…in our own backyard
Posted on August 24, 2011
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A new article in Lucky Magazine about Men in Heels has appeared. It doesn’t provide much information but discusses Seymor Glass, a Vogue intern, and why he wears heels. I think these articles attract a lot of traffic and comments so they are looking for any angle to cover men wearing heels.
New Purchase This Week – 8-17-11
Posted on August 17, 2011
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Bought these bebe “Autumn” heels this week. They have a 1.5″ platform and a 6.5″ heel. They are quite comfortable but the rise is 5 full inches.
I love the shape of the heel with the exaggerated curve and wider stiletto tip. They are leather and have a great build quality. I got the last pair in the store and they happened to be my size.
Happy 3rd Birthday to FetishForHighHeels.com
Posted on August 13, 2011
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While I haven’t always kept this site updated with frequent posts, this month is the third anniversary since I first launched the site. Thanks to all those that visit, comment and read. Several hundred people a day pass through the site, some reading a single article while others wander all over the site.
If you are a man that loves heels, I hope you find that you are not alone and are encouraged that anyone, including men, can go out into public wearing what they want to wear. Society is at a stage in which we can wear whatever we want, even heels, without any serious repercussions. Sure, there are a few snickers and the rare person that wants a confrontation but society today is more conditioned to let people be who they are, even if they disagree.
If you are in a relationship with a male heel lover, I hope this site helps you to understand that a love of heels, even the desire to wear them, does not reflect a sexual orientation or make the man ‘feminine.’ It is a fashion or style choice repeated throughout history. In the 1500s, 1700s, and 1970s men wore heels, including tall, thin heels considered feminine by today’s standards. Fashion changes and with any luck, men in 5″ stilettos will not be considered unusual in the near future.
Lucky Magazine Covers Men In Heels
Posted on August 13, 2011
Filed Under Fashion, Observations and Commentary, Press | Leave a Comment
Photo Credit: Karl Edwin-Guerre
Lucky Magazine posts an article discussing the numbers of men starting to wear heels, especially high stiletto heels. It is good to see more men feeling comfortable pushing fashion boundaries. While I wear brown or black oxford styles or more mens style looking heels, I really would love to feel comfortable wearing the latest stylish pencil thin, strappy, colorful, fun designer heels in public.
The comments at the time I posted this were not very supportive. Again, many women have serious issues allowing men to intrude on their fashion domain despite the last 50 years of women stealing every item of men’s fashion and adopting it into their everyday wardrobe. They seem to be very protective of their precious heels.
While I agree, not every man can pull off the look, I would have to say as many men can pull it off as women. How many times have you seen a woman in heels and they just can’t pull it off? Shouldn’t we all have the right to take a shot at it?
Here is your link to the article.
Macy’s in Guam to Hold High Heel Fundraiser
Posted on August 11, 2011
Filed Under Fashion, Marketing | Leave a Comment
August 13th, 2011 those of you in Guam have an opportunity to raise some money for the Red Cross while showing off your favorite stiletto heels (no kitten heels, wedges, or flats allowed) at the Micronesia Mall. Yes, this includes men who are encouraged to attend!
I always wonder how events like this get started. I believe that secretly, many men want to try on a pair of heels and events like this allow what they consider normally taboo to be acceptable. Other such events include Walk A Mile In Her Shoes for rape awareness. There is always a good turnout of men in heels for such events.
Follow this link to get the details and hurry, you only have 2 days!
Men’s 6″ Stiletto Heels From The 18th Century
Posted on August 7, 2011
Filed Under Education, Fashion | Leave a Comment
A recent post over at HHPlace.org from member barney15c includes a page from the 1904 book Royal and Historic Gloves and Shoes showing a six inch stiletto heeled shoe for men produced in the 18th century. There have been several periods in history when men wore high heels, including thin stiletto heels. The most recent was the 1970′s when block heels for men were popular. Let’s hope that we are at the beginning of a new era of male heeling. There does seem to be a lot of men in heels in the club scene in the UK and other countries.
Here is a link to the original book.
UPDATE: Current photo of shoes added below.
God Save My Shoes
Posted on August 3, 2011
Filed Under Entertainment, Fashion | Leave a Comment
A new documentary film about shoes and the women (and men) who love them. Interviews with the major designers and much, much more. View the trailer at the film’s website.
Men Wearing High Heels
Posted on August 3, 2011
Filed Under Observations and Commentary | Leave a Comment
Interesting article by Lucy on men wearing high heels. Don’t miss her related articles in links at the bottom of the article.
keep looking »