Guys in High Heels

heathersissy79 · 27-06-2008 4:45pm #1

What would you think if you saw a guy trying on high heels in say Penneys or Miss Selfridge? Not a crossdresser but a guy dressed in regular clothes?

kmick · 27-06-2008 4:48pm

They make his calves look huge?

27-06-2008 4:50pm

Pics or work?

Seriously, WTF!

Was it Eddie Izard?

John Mason · 27-06-2008 4:53pm

I would tell him not to buy his heels in Pennys, that they will cripple him

SarahSassy · 27-06-2008 4:53pm

I would think that on a different day he is a crossdresser....

Why?

SarahSassy · 27-06-2008 4:54pm

irishbird wrote: »

I would tell him not to buy his heels in Pennys, that they will cripple him

:D ROFL

heathersissy79 · 27-06-2008 7:38pm

The reason I ask is because I plan, in guy mode, to try on shoes in Penneys and Miss Selfridge. I'm a crossdresser and would like to know if they fit before buying. I go for high heels so there's no way they would be mistaken for male shoes. I just wonder with girls giggle or get angry or remain indifferent. I don't want to be kicked out of the shop either!

LadyE · 27-06-2008 7:51pm

sent you a pm

Cmol · 27-06-2008 8:17pm

heathersissy79 wrote: »

The reason I ask is because I plan, in guy mode, to try on shoes in Penneys and Miss Selfridge. I'm a crossdresser and would like to know if they fit before buying. I go for high heels so there's no way they would be mistaken for male shoes. I just wonder with girls giggle or get angry or remain indifferent. I don't want to be kicked out of the shop either!

I'd say you'd get some funny looks.... possibly even direct comments knowing the general clientle of penneys?!?
Cant see any reason why you'd be kicked out though

panda100 · 27-06-2008 8:26pm

You wont get kicked out (I hope!) but you will definatly get funny looks. I would go on a monday morning or sometime when Its very quiet,it will be more comfortable for you that way.

Maybe ask on http://www.gaire.com/ people may have had more experience with this sort of thing there

newestUser · 27-06-2008 8:33pm

I used to work as a sales assistant in a shoe shop. We had a guy who'd come in occasionally to try on thigh-high leather boots. He was a cult figure amongst the staff, and would be instantly recognised when he came in. Nobody would say anything to his face, but people would be nudging each other, whispering, cracking up laughing in the stock room, the manager would be pushing floor-staff with a big grin on his face to go up to him and ask if he needed any help (more out of amusement at the prospect of seeing floor-staff squirm than any nastiness towards the guy, this manager was gay so probably could empathise with someone being labelled as odd)...

If you're in Dublin, I would guess this is what's likely to happen if you do something similar. However, if you're in a town in the country, all bets are off. I haven't a clue what would happen.

what2do · 27-06-2008 9:12pm

Dunno if Pennys stock big enough shoes sizes to fit a man - my guess would be max size 8....

gubbie · 27-06-2008 9:25pm

heathersissy79 wrote: »

The reason I ask is because I plan, in guy mode, to try on shoes in Penneys and Miss Selfridge. I'm a crossdresser and would like to know if they fit before buying. I go for high heels so there's no way they would be mistaken for male shoes. I just wonder with girls giggle or get angry or remain indifferent. I don't want to be kicked out of the shop either!

I met a friend who is also a cross dresser for a tux fitting once. After he wanted to go look at shoes. He got the most prostitute-y heels I've ever seen in my life. I was a bit shocked at first but it didn't take me long to be grand with it. Bring a female friend who's cool with it with you. It'll completely distract you from everyone else.

Oh and I wouldn't go to somewhere as scumbaggy as Pennys! The shoes ain't all that great for heels (and they only go up to a max, size 8 and they're ain't many of them!)

Definately go early too. Pennys is a nightmare during lunch or at the weekend. Tuesdays a good day

heathersissy79 · 27-06-2008 9:25pm

Hi all, thanks for your messages - keep them coming. I fit into ladies size 7 easily enough so I don't have too many probs getting the right shoe size.

Tar.Aldarion · 27-06-2008 9:29pm

Go with a girl, it'll go better if you are laughing and joking with her!

Peared · 28-06-2008 12:01am

I would be prepared for negative reactions though. Some people might be freaked out/disgusted/judgemental/complain.

And probably suspicious.

28-06-2008 12:25am

Can't you just buy them and return them if they don't fit?
Are uncomfortable?

I don't think mens size 7 is the same as womens size 7 though.

Peared · 28-06-2008 12:36am

Moonbaby wrote: »

Can't you just buy them and return them if they don't fit?
Are uncomfortable?

I don't think mens size 7 is the same as womens size 7 though.

I thought it was? Hmm, inneressing.

28-06-2008 12:42am

Peared wrote: »

I thought it was? Hmm, inneressing.

Maybe it is just me, but I'm a 6 in mens and a 6 and 1/2 in womens.

Peared · 28-06-2008 12:49am

Moonbaby wrote: »

Maybe it is just me, but I'm a 6 in mens and a 6 and 1/2 in womens.

Right so Moonbaby, or should that be *Sunbaby?

Huh?

Huh?

* Ask the druids.

28-06-2008 12:50am

The sun brings light and clarity, I'm definitely a child of the moon. :P

jezza · 28-06-2008 2:49am

Ladies
36-3
37-4
38-5
39-6
40-7
41-8
42-9

Men
41-7
42-8
43-9
44-10
45-11
46-12

Although I think the OP said female size 7 fitted him ok

heathersissy79 · 28-06-2008 8:54am

As far as I know men and women's sizes are different. My male size is bigger than ladies size 7. I can squeeze into size 6 ladies if some clodhopper has stolen all the size 7s!
I recently bought a pair of oxford heels in Penneys. Like the ones in the pic but with a hidden lace, white piping, and an open toe (not that alike so but the same shape!). A couple of women buying shoes next to me were watching me closely as I selected my size!

WindSock · 28-06-2008 10:29am

I don't mind what you want to wear. I'd probably look at you and smile as it's not something you would see everyday, but I wouldn't laugh at you. I would commend you for being able to do what I could never. Also, I watched a lovely film last week called Kinky Boots. HAve you seen it?

Reku · 28-06-2008 6:04pm

You'll probably get smiles, laughs & comments, but I doubt anyone will get angry or upset about it, and I'd seriously doubt they'll ask you to leave, while it may not be something we're all used to it does no one any harm. Hope you have fun and get a pair you like.

Pythia · 29-06-2008 3:02pm

heathersissy79 wrote: »

What would you think if you saw a guy trying on high heels in say Penneys or Miss Selfridge? Not a crossdresser but a guy dressed in regular clothes?

I would find it very, very odd, sorry.

A racy brainrot · 29-06-2008 8:08pm

I don't think people will be too fussed.
They might look twice at you, but that'll be it.
If it was me I might look to see what shoe you pick, but thats just me being nosy and weird.

jellie · 30-06-2008 8:59am

is it that youre worried about reactions or just wondering how people would react to be prepared?

as someone suggested can you not buy them & return them if they dont fit? If i saw a man buying ladies shoes (& not trying them on) I would presume they were for a gf.

Also, stuff in penneys isnt very expensive, if they didnt fit & you didnt return them it wouldnt be a huge loss!

If im honest, i probably would think it was weird seeing a guy trying on womens shoes. i wouldnt make a big deal out of it or anything, but i would probably be thinking "weird".

NextSteps · 30-06-2008 9:17am

sar84 wrote: »

If im honest, i probably would think it was weird seeing a guy trying on womens shoes. i wouldnt make a big deal out of it or anything, but i would probably be thinking "weird".

Yeah, me too.

heathersissy79 · 30-06-2008 7:20pm

Thanks for your comments whether they're suggesting good, bad or indifferent reactions. You've all been lovely and honest.

In answer to a couple of questions - I haven't seen Kinky Boots but I did see a documentary about the company and it did seem interesting. I might give it a look some time (it'll probably be on Channel 4 at 3am sometime!).

You're right I could just return the stuff but I think I'd find that more embarassing than trying them on - what guy buys cheap Penneys shoes for his girlfriend's size 7 feet! I suppose I could take the financial hit but even €15 is a bit of a waste (unless you're a member of a winning Lotto syndicate).

Also I suppose I'm curious of the reaction. I think it would feel great to try on heels in public. I already get a lot of looks as I peruse the shoe section. I almost tried on a pair in Penneys O'Connell St. on Saturday but there was a woman and her kid there and I didn't want to freak the kid out! I came very very closed to trying on a gorgeous pair of two-colour strappy pumps in Dunnes but I could be seen by guys too and that's a bit too scary. I could feel my feet itching to escape my boy shoes and slip into the heels! BTW a saleswoman in Penneys knows I buy heels for myself as she can barely suppress her giggles as I go to the counter!

I think next time I'll have worked up the guts to try on a pair.
Thanks again for your messages.

chris_oc · 01-07-2008 11:53pm

if anyone asks, just say you're going to a stag do or somethin where you're actually just havin a laugh. people will just assume that you're buying them in penneys because it's probably the cheapest place to buy them things! hell id believe it! hmmmm... whens the last time i saw a lad try on a pair of girls shoes?? never, and thats why itd actually be very believeable...:p

The Sweeper · 02-07-2008 10:53pm

heathersissy79, while personally I wouldn't have a problem with you trying on ladies shoes in a shop where I was shopping, I'd actually be worried for you.

There are a lot of pretty open minded ladies on this thread, and some not so, but my worry would be that someone would respond to you aggressively. I would hate to see you in a position where some generally phobic individual saw you trying on women's shoes in Penneys, decided you were an "effin queer pervert" or some such and then decided to demonstrate verbal or physical aggression towards you.

For instance, I would be afraid a male security guard would take it upon themselves to remove you forcibly from the store because they felt you were exercising some sort of sexual perversion in a public place, and moreso because they felt you were trying to intimidate the women around you.

All I'm saying is don't assume the open-minded wimmins of the Ladies Lounge are representative of the average bunch of shoe shoppers in Penneys on any given day. Personally I would love it if this were a live-and-let-live sort of world, but it isn't and I'd hate to hear of you being on the receiving end of the expression of someone else's ignorance all because of a desire for shoes!

honru · 03-07-2008 12:41am

Why not explain your situation to the sales assistant and request to try on shoes behind the closed doors ie. the fitting rooms when it's not too busy?

You'd have to hope for a pretty open-minded assistant who is willing to help you out, and that the shop don't mind of course.

Kidd-o · 03-07-2008 2:04am

Awwh poor pet!!!

I am the kind of person whom ignores EVERYone around me while shopping so tbh i wouldnt notice,

I think, you should try them on. We live in a fairly free country, we have the right to choose our own clothes, our own homes, jobs, partners etc. why must we as a whole be closed minded when it comes to these things.

We hide behind clothes because thats what the western world has told us to do, clothes is no longer just a means of staying warm, it is a statement of whom you are and how wealthy you are! I go to penneys and buy mens shorts, hoodys and t shirts, no one would pass a comment, and if i saw a man buying womens clothes and shoes i wouldnt look twice.

I do not believe in double standards, but as has been said, no one here would like anything to happen to anyone.

So if its just a matter of there being awful, closed minded fools out there, shop on the south side of dublin city, and in cork (im from cork) i would imagine you'd be fine, one of my best friends dances in the grorge and rubies and buys pumps and such in pennies...

Reku · 03-07-2008 8:24am

Perhaps asking to see the shift manager and checking if they were ok with it wouldn't be a bad idea, but at the same time it's a shame to have to do this since as I've already said, you're not hurting anyone or warping their fragile little minds or anything.

allabouteve · 03-07-2008 12:52pm

Do you not have a female friend to go shopping with Heather? A woman with you would diffuse the entire situation.....you'd be invisible. Many women take a size 7, I do myself, so a size 7 friend would be ideal.

Don't buy them in Penneys though, get some decent heels that wont cut your feet. Trust me, I love shoes, and cheap ones never love you back:).

Oryx · 03-07-2008 6:48pm

Hi Heather. I agree that if you have a female friend to go with you, all the better. Otherwise I reckon people would be more likely to be curious, stare, and snigger. Hell I'd probably stare at first in spite of myself because a man trying on heels is unusual. That said, I'd have no problem with it and would go with you and have fun choosing em if you were a mate of mine.

I also agree that you might get hassle, which would be terrible and I wish there was no reason to think that, but the general population may not be all that tolerant of you. People who behave outside of the norm make others nervous. Stupid though that is.

And finally, I agree that Penneys might have cheap shoes, but god will they kill your feet!

heathersissy79 · 28-09-2008 2:35pm

Hi there,
Just to let you know I finally built up the courage to try on women's shoes while completely dressed as a guy. I was wearing black tights but otherwise I was my usual male self. I tried on a pair of black and white open toe pumps in Dunnes Henry St. Only one woman saw me - I was blushing furiously and trying to avoid eye contact! Also tried on a pair of patent oxford heels in Miss Selfridge - I was seen by quite a few in their but again no negative reactions. I didn't buy either in the end! Next stop Penneys!
H.

GirlInterrupted · 28-09-2008 2:50pm

heathersissy79 wrote: »

Hi there,
Just to let you know I finally built up the courage to try on women's shoes while completely dressed as a guy. I was wearing black tights but otherwise I was my usual male self. I tried on a pair of black and white open toe pumps in Dunnes Henry St. Only one woman saw me - I was blushing furiously and trying to avoid eye contact! Also tried on a pair of patent oxford heels in Miss Selfridge - I was seen by quite a few in their but again no negative reactions. I didn't buy either in the end! Next stop Penneys!
H.

Courage takes many forms Heather. Well done.

Tupins · 29-09-2008 4:22pm

newestUser wrote: »

I used to work as a sales assistant in a shoe shop. We had a guy who'd come in occasionally to try on thigh-high leather boots. He was a cult figure amongst the staff, and would be instantly recognised when he came in. Nobody would say anything to his face, but people would be nudging each other, whispering, cracking up laughing in the stock room, the manager would be pushing floor-staff with a big grin on his face to go up to him and ask if he needed any help (more out of amusement at the prospect of seeing floor-staff squirm than any nastiness towards the guy, this manager was gay so probably could empathise with someone being labelled as odd)...

If you're in Dublin, I would guess this is what's likely to happen if you do something similar. However, if you're in a town in the country, all bets are off. I haven't a clue what would happen.

Oh yeah because we're all so small minded and backwards in "the country". Sure we'd only be in buying wellies anyway, you wouldn't find anything as modern as high heels outside Dublin! You couldn't be wearing them fancy shoes out in the fields now when you're going out to shag milk the cows!!

Yes you're right you 'haven't a clue' but then they do say ignorance is bliss - you must be one seriously happy camper.

Tupins · 29-09-2008 4:23pm

newestUser wrote: »

I used to work as a sales assistant in a shoe shop. We had a guy who'd come in occasionally to try on thigh-high leather boots. He was a cult figure amongst the staff, and would be instantly recognised when he came in. Nobody would say anything to his face, but people would be nudging each other, whispering, cracking up laughing in the stock room, the manager would be pushing floor-staff with a big grin on his face to go up to him and ask if he needed any help (more out of amusement at the prospect of seeing floor-staff squirm than any nastiness towards the guy, this manager was gay so probably could empathise with someone being labelled as odd)...

If you're in Dublin, I would guess this is what's likely to happen if you do something similar. However, if you're in a town in the country, all bets are off. I haven't a clue what would happen.

Oh yeah because we're all so small minded and backwards in "the country". Sure we'd only be in buying wellies anyway, you wouldn't find anything as modern as high heels outside Dublin! You couldn't be wearing them fancy shoes out in the fields now when you're going out to shag milk the cows!!

Yes you're right you 'haven't a clue' but then they do say ignorance is bliss - you must be one seriously happy camper.

By the way OP, good on you for trying on the shoes.

simu · 30-09-2008 12:50am

Urgh, the thought of horrible man feet in womens' shoes grosses me out tbh.

Sorry, I didn't take my PC pills today.

A Primal Nut · 30-09-2008 9:34am

heathersissy79 wrote: »

What would you think if you saw a guy trying on high heels in say Penneys or Miss Selfridge? Not a crossdresser but a guy dressed in regular clothes?

To be honest, you'd look like a complete tool. Or a pervert.

But if you care what other people think then I'd say cross-dressing isn't for you.

stovelid · 30-09-2008 1:16pm

A Primal Nut wrote: »

To be honest, you'd look like a complete tool. Or a pervert.

How helpful.

Do people really give a shit what men choose wear on their feet. Get a life.

SpookyDoll · 30-09-2008 1:56pm

heathersissy79 wrote: »

The reason I ask is because I plan, in guy mode, to try on shoes in Penneys and Miss Selfridge. I'm a crossdresser and would like to know if they fit before buying. I go for high heels so there's no way they would be mistaken for male shoes. I just wonder with girls giggle or get angry or remain indifferent. I don't want to be kicked out of the shop either!

What size feet have you got?

I think womens shoes in Pennys only go up to an 8.

If I saw ya I would think "theres a cross dresser shopping" blah..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

But then again, Im not easily shocked.

heathersissy79 · 30-09-2008 4:50pm

Thanks for any supportive comments. Yeah Penney's only go up to size 8 but I'm a size 6 or 7 female so that's no problem. It depends on the shoe - some I fit 6, others 7. I only managed to put one on last time but next time I'll try and put both shoes on and have a little walk to check them!

Zaph · 30-09-2008 7:16pm

A Primal Nut wrote: »

To be honest, you'd look like a complete tool. Or a pervert.

But if you care what other people think then I'd say cross-dressing isn't for you.

Thank you for that wonderfully insightful comment. If you have nothing of a higher standard than that to add, then perhaps this isn't the forum for you and you'd feel more at home posting somewhere else.

sondal · 03-10-2008 5:48pm

heathersissy79 wrote: »

Thanks for any supportive comments. Yeah Penney's only go up to size 8 but I'm a size 6 or 7 female so that's no problem. It depends on the shoe - some I fit 6, others 7. I only managed to put one on last time but next time I'll try and put both shoes on and have a little walk to check them!

fair play for being open and honest. My friends husband is a regular secret cross dresser. At the beginning she was shocked, but then it became more frequent she accepted his odd quirk. Its better than having to put up champions league football every night with average looking guys like robbie keane that could do with some make over.
I agree, avoid chepo stores like penny's, and in Dublin it would be best to try out the shops in the morning. It good to see broadminded posters. Live and let live i say Heathersissy

Guys in High Heels

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