I haven't really been that interested in Heels but I have been thinking about it lately and I went to a TG site that sells clothes and heels and all that and I was curious what is a good kind of heel for a gal that has never wore heels before and I heard that when you are picking out heels that your size should be like 2 sizes above what your regular size is so my heel size should be 13 because I am a size 11 1/2? Any insight would be great.
I just look at the way heels look and they look like they would hurt the feet and plus I am not sure how often I would wear them since I have carpet in my house and most likely not going out and about for awhile in public.
Start low and work you way up...I can walk in heels...at least to he kitchen to get a coffee ;D...well maybe a bit better than that but I started with "kitten Heels" and can now manage a 2-3 inch heel ok. I must say I don't choose those kinds of shoes very often but I do like the way they make my calves look.
Liz
Quote from: JayceeTG on November 25, 2016, 09:50:50 PM
I haven't really been that interested in Heels but I have been thinking about it lately and I went to a TG site that sells clothes and heels and all that and I was curious what is a good kind of heel for a gal that has never wore heels before and I heard that when you are picking out heels that your size should be like 2 sizes above what your regular size is so my heel size should be 13 because I am a size 11 1/2? Any insight would be great.
I just look at the way heels look and they look like they would hurt the feet and plus I am not sure how often I would wear them since I have carpet in my house and most likely not going out and about for awhile in public.
I'm not sure if you mean converting men's to woman's sizes. If do you can probably find a chart online.
I'd start with a wide 2-3" heal. Practice in your house and keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Oh, short steps. Most heals don't have much traction and if you take large steps you'll be trying to recover from the split you just attempted.
On a weird side note. I've always had an odd walk. Feet pointed out, but the first time I tried heels, my walk became normal. Apparently I over compensated for a girly walk when I was young. Hmmm....
Anyway, if you can try things on it would be best. I have an awesome pair of boots from Payless that are an 8 1/2, a size 9 sneaker and another boot in 9 1/2.
Actually, here's a link for conversion
http://www.csgnetwork.com/shoe_size_converter.html
With high heels you will find you need a smaller shoes cos the high heel pushes your toes to the end of the shoe. Also if its too loose the heel will constantly pop pop out of the shoe and you cannot walk. I suggest straps with your first heels. Also start with 2.5 inches or use wedged heels.
Plus, quality heels are well worth the money cos cheap ones will cause you pain after wearing for a short while.
I do love heels and pretty much have anything from 1 inch up to 6 inches. I started with 4 and 5 inch heels and it took a long time to get used to them. Now I am much preferring 2 - 3 inches and I can pretty much wear them an entire day.
As others have said - start on the lower end might be better and work your way up. Also block heels provide a much better stability than pointed heels. Last I want to say that the comfort level greatly depends on the maker of your heels.
Also do not overdo wearing them in the beginning. I started with 30 minutes mostly sitting down...
Now for the added challenge: pointy heels on soft grass...
Sounds to me that they are a pain in the butt lol. I am mostly a boots type of person but I would love to get something femme when wearing certain outfits, like when I am wearing my skirt and top I think I would just look stupid in my boots or if I wear a dress and etc and have a pair of boots on, lol. I just need to find another lady to help me get sissified and I am good but that is really hard here in Montana lol
The right boots can go quite will with a dress or a skirt. I had a pair of lose fitting, flat rough out boot that I loved and they went well in the winter. It was a sad day when they needed to be discarded because of wear. Unfortunately I haven't had a place to wear a skirt in a long time so I can't justify buying another pair.
Knee high boots with a little bit of a heel paired with a fairly simple dress is one of my go to outfits this time of year. Just love it.
With regard to pumps, what Sarah said is true. You will want to invest in quality. A cheap pump is an instrument of torture in a very short period of time. I personally look for heels less of less than 3 inches.
I love Loubutin 120mm heels:-
See:http://asia.christianlouboutin.com/au_en/shop/women/so-kate-13.html (http://asia.christianlouboutin.com/au_en/shop/women/so-kate-13.html)
Just gorgeous. and only $945
Judith
Quote from: JayceeTG on November 26, 2016, 07:50:11 PM
Sounds to me that they are a pain in the butt lol.
Oh, but they do such wonders FOR your butt..... ;D
I think the height is not as important as the cross sectional area. A pair of blocky heels four inches high are easer than stilettos three inches high. Think chunky heels, or wedges, or maybe a blade instead of stilettos. At least for your first pair. They won't be your last.....
Careful on stairs, especially going down. Slow, steady, and short steps. And a good fitting pair does not have to hurt.
I tried my first pair of heels when I was 12, and I loved them! They were my Mom's and a bit big, but with a 3 inch heel, I was amazed I had no problems walking in them. I've prgressed over the years up to 5 inch heels, and my friends still want to see me walk in them. Most don't know what to think of it. I just tell them it came "naturally" to me. And that statement leads to other topics of discussion. It makes coming out a whole lot easier. And it also sort of cushions the impact of some news that nearly knocked my socks off. But that's for another post.
I just received my 3rd pair of heels in the mail today and will be wearing them out for New Years Eve.This pair actually fits LOL.They are a Black patent leather shoe with a 2 inch heal.This is my first pair that is not a wide heel.I tried them on just now and they look great.
There are some downloadable and printable foot templates that can help with sizing, also since you have a size on the "larger" end you may want to see if you need a wide fitment as well. The template will help with that.
You may think heels are wonderful but no cis woman I have even known voluntarily wears them..the moment they can, they kick them off and put on comfortable shoes.
I have lived as a woman all my life, and just recently found out I'm partial transmale, but the only heels I owned, for formal occasions and dancing, were low and wide, to cause as little pain as possible.
Studies show that heels can cause permanent foot damage if worn too long, and women have even begun taking legal action against establishments that force their female employees to wear heels as part of their work outfits.
One establishment, as punishment, had to make their male staff wear heels during a shift to see how THEY liked it, and after eight hours of torture, no women were forced to wear heels again!
I just love my heels; there must be 10 to 15 pair in my closet between wedge sandals to fancy time pumps. I do have a couple of pairs of flats for days around the house but most of the time that I am out and about it is in some form of heels. I have even done hikes in the short mountains in the snow in my 2" knee high boots....yes, I am a crazy old lady!
A few tips that I have identified:
Payless is my most common go to store. They stock a limited range of shoes up to size 13 and because of their extended size range they are quite used to trans women customers both dressed and drab. I have never been made to feel uncomfortable in their stores. They have a wider selection online and offer free shipping to any of their brick and mortar stores. You can get them shipped to the store, try them on for size and either buy them or not with no problems. Our local store has customers ordering a given shoe style in several sizes to choose the best fit.
As mentioned in earlier posts, shorter blocky heels are easiest to gain control of. Something like a wedge sandal is a good starter style to master if the weather allows. I have three pair of wedge sandals that I live in during the summer months. Winter boots with blockier heals or even narrow heels were the next easiest style. The height of the boot stabilizes the attachment and is not so tipsy. But at some point you will just have to try some spikey pumps. I find that rounded toed pumps are much easier on my feet than their pointy sisters, each to their own. I have found that a comfortable 3" to 4" round toed pump really sets a good feeling for heading out for a fancy night on the town. But I have to admit that at 68 years old, I can no longer dance the night away.
Whatever you do, enjoy... - Anne
Start low and work up to a higher heel is of course the advice but, let's face it as Anne said above, at some stage you will just have to try some spiky pumps! I've just succumbed and I'd forgotten just how good it feels to slip nylon clad feet into a pair of stilettos and then admire what they do to the shape of your legs in the mirror. Heaven!
Be proud of yourself and go to a store that sells women's shoes in larger sizes. Nine West has been good to me about helping me find good women's shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk with. Unfortunately Nine West has fewer locations in my area than they used to. The big name player is Nordstrom. They are super, super helpful and the women's shoes sales people, be they men or women, do not care if you come in and try on shoes in full femme outfit or in total men's clothes. Nordstrom shoe sales people really care and will help you. They will help you get the best fit.
I have heels of various heights, and some are very easy to walk in and some are rather clumsy. Actually I think the high heels with the larger base heel that is not sculpted out is actually harder to walk in than a pump with a high but thinner heel if the heel is sculpted or slanted slightly from your own heel down to the ground. This promotes more of a natural gait as you walk. Keep in mind that you should indeed focus your walking more using the balls of your feet than the heel. How else can female dancers look so elegant on higher heels? - They do not plant their feet first on the heel as they walk, they instead gracefully incorporate the forefoot more athletically, elegantly, and gracefully.
I am 5'10" to 5'11" and in the proper high heels I imagine myself as Ginger Rogers. OK, I imagine.
I am curious about Donna's comment around stride. When in any type of heels I most often walk with my heel striking first followed by toe. Walking toe first then heel has always felt awkward. What do the rest of you do?
Anne
Hi, Anne
If it's of any help, and speaking just for myself, I've since early childhood always walked on the balls of my feet regardless of the footwear I may be using. That's not to say the heel never touches the ground—the weight just always stays mainly on the ball of the foot. When walking barefoot my heels don't touch the ground at all. It just feels more naturally balanced than placing weight on the heels.
Quote from: Anne Blake on December 17, 2016, 03:31:41 PM
I am curious about Donna's comment around stride. When in any type of heels I most often walk with my heel striking first followed by toe. Walking toe first then heel has always felt awkward. What do the rest of you do?
Anne
The important thing for me while walking in heels, even if the heel does indeed strike first, little weight is put on the heel and there is a quick weight transfer to the ball of the foot.
And also take shorter steps. I still have a dark spot below my knee from when I slipped and went down. Of course I was in a hurry and still new at heels, so it was my own fault.
And I second the Payless suggestion. I picked up a really cute pair of low cut boots with a 3" heel. I got them in 8 1/2 and I can get them on, but I should have probably got a 9. Oh well, they still look awesome and don't hurt as much as a boot that is too big. Go figure.
You lucky girls with easy to fit feet.
I wear a 12 or a 13 depending on the shoe. Thus, I really appreciate the selection in my size at Nordstrom.
But Nordstrom's prices are very expensive. I would not pay $1,000 for pair of boots.
At Nordstrom I am usually able to find pretty shoes in the size 12 or 13 I need under $100.
Heel first, though the transfer of weight s pretty fast, as Donna said.
And the last pair of shoes I bought I got for $15 at payless last month... size 12W... the Kapulets (red)
I have been a ballet dancer for you years, so I found walking in heels pretty easy. Switching to pointe shoes was hard though!
Heels are not nice on uneven surfaces and slippery surfaces. Be kind to yourself and keep some sandals in your office drawer if you like to go for a walk at lunchtime. And if you have a lot of outdoor walking to do on a particular day, wear flats instead.
For a first pair of heels, stay away from anything with a stiletto heel which you can easily roll an ankle on. Buy heels with a wide base instead which will give you stability. Also stick with a small heel to begin with, below 3".
Heels put a natural pressure on your toes which will take some time to get used to. A proper fit helps here, and gel inserts under the ball of your foot can help push your foot back away from the toebed.
Be aware that heels with a platform make your foot look smaller, but increase your height. If your height is already at the top of the female height range, heels with platforms can make you look very tall indeed.
They also need to be a snug fit on your foot and the back of the footbed should grab the heel of your foot so your heel doesn't slide out as you push off the ground and life your foot.
You can certainly wear heels on carpet, but I think you can only really gain confidence in heels by spending lots of time walking in them in different conditions and on different surfaces. Heels can be slippery on many types of surfaces.
You'll also want to take shorter steps and slow down your pace a bit. Land on the heel and roll through using the ball of your foot to balance. Balance comes from lifting up through your abdominal and core muscles, not spreading your feet wide and waddling.
Get a salesperson to help you find a proper fit, and have fun getting used to them.
Have fun! :-)
Claire
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Have you looked at Nordstrom Rack? It is their outlet version and things are really affordable there. Selection is a bit limited but I found a few shoes for less than $100 there...
Quote from: biannne on December 18, 2016, 11:13:41 PM
But Nordstrom's prices are very expensive. I would not pay $1,000 for pair of boots.
Quote from: Claire_Sydney on January 04, 2017, 12:40:42 AM
Balance comes from lifting up through your abdominal and core muscles, not spreading your feet wide and waddling.
Wonderful advice!
Is there anyone here with size 15? Its very difficult for me to find women's shoes of size 15 in my country. By 15, I mean US size 15.
Quote from: Saira128 on January 07, 2017, 12:46:24 AM
Is there anyone here with size 15? Its very difficult for me to find women's shoes of size 15 in my country. By 15, I mean US size 15.
You may need to look at online ordering.
One place I have ordered customized boots is OnlyMaker (onlymaker.com). They have standard women shoes up to size 15 and they can customize. (Wanted a 4inch heel instead of a 5 inch - added $20 to the overall cost)
There is another company offering completely customized shoes, just forgot the name right now.
Long Tall Sally (http://www.longtallsally.com) is an online source for ready made shoes but I am not sure if you will be able to order from where you are.
Online shopping is a great first place to look. I agree with Anne and Sarah on there sizing choices and styles. Hugs Shannon
I've tentatively ordered a few from Long Tall Sally as well. All of the other places I've found 15's are usually costume quality and style. I am 54 and trying to act my age LOL. Sally's stuff is quality and I have been impressed. I'm a 13 in mens and go with 14 open toe and 15 closed. It seems about a 1/2 big but works OK. I rocked their https://www.longtallsally.com/us/shoes/sandals/lts-vegas-sparkle-heel-16L31/p?option=16L31GSI (https://www.longtallsally.com/us/shoes/sandals/lts-vegas-sparkle-heel-16L31/p?option=16L31GSI)
last night and it worked out really well. The lower heel, ankle straps and nice padding made it seem like I've walked in heels my whole life. It was a girls night and all my cis girlfriends complimented me on them and how I walked in them. It has all the qualities mentioned here for starters.
I find heels with open toes give more space and allow me space for my longer feet. It also means you can see your nail polish, but that means you need to be sure it matches (well at least i do). It is quite spectacular looking at yourself side on in a pair of heels!
I LOVE wearing heels, I would daily if I could. My first ever pair was a bright red patent leather peep toe with a 5 1/2" stiletto. I marched Boston pride in them, over 2 miles altogether. I actually have a very difficult time walking in kitten heels.
I've been wearing a couple pairs at work (I work retail, and am often running all over the place), and my favorite go-to is a faux suede wedge I got from Target. I've been complimented by both coworkers and customers on both those as well as a stiletto bootie I wear slightly less often. Wearing shoes with a heel, especially 4+ inches, greatly helps me with a feminine walk, as I'm forced to be more upright
Quote from: LucyCT on January 14, 2017, 03:08:09 PM
I find heels with open toes give more space and allow me space for my longer feet. It also means you can see your nail polish, but that means you need to be sure it matches (well at least i do). It is quite spectacular looking at yourself side on in a pair of heels!
Sorry to interrupt the thread. It won't take long.
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With warmth,
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Quote from: ds1987 on January 15, 2017, 11:25:00 PM
I LOVE wearing heels, I would daily if I could. My first ever pair was a bright red patent leather peep toe with a 5 1/2" stiletto. I marched Boston pride in them, over 2 miles altogether. I actually have a very difficult time walking in kitten heels.
I've been wearing a couple pairs at work (I work retail, and am often running all over the place), and my favorite go-to is a faux suede wedge I got from Target. I've been complimented by both coworkers and customers on both those as well as a stiletto bootie I wear slightly less often. Wearing shoes with a heel, especially 4+ inches, greatly helps me with a feminine walk, as I'm forced to be more upright
ds1987,
I have had many jobs, some of them in retail. My current job in my transition phase is at a grocery store where black pants, black polo shirt and black shoes are the uniform. Of course, I certainly choose to wear only women's pants, women's fit polo shirts, and of course always a racerback bra underneath. I have also worked at Macy's prior to beginning my transition process, and I wish I could go back to Macy's. I would absolutely love to wear some comfortable feminine heels at work. I feel so totally, horribly drab in my grocery store uniform. Overly gender neutral. I long for the chance to wear heels at work. I want to go back to fashion retail for the sheer joy of being both "out" as a transgender woman, and in this position be able to help other transitioning people find the clothes they need.
I love a variety of shoes and have high heels that are comfortable but as Claire notes being 5'11" discourages me from wanting to gain any more height. I think heels can be sexy and have that learning curve that I found gets my stride right and more feminine than when in sandals. Perhaps that learned walk with shorter more deliberate steps is part of the allure? I know plenty of cis women who rock them too but there are cultural considerations worldwide.
I love to hear hi heel but I have a hard time finding size 11W or bigger hi heels shoes.
Most of them you find are on the net and they are very expensive.
Bianne, Payless shoes carries sizes up to 13 or 14 wides. They have some comfortable pumps and wedges that are quite affordable. - Anne
As I said above, last pair I bought were Payless, 12W, $15....
Quote from: JayceeTG on November 25, 2016, 09:50:50 PM
I haven't really been that interested in Heels but I have been thinking about it lately and I went to a TG site that sells clothes and heels and all that and I was curious what is a good kind of heel for a gal that has never wore heels before and I heard that when you are picking out heels that your size should be like 2 sizes above what your regular size is so my heel size should be 13 because I am a size 11 1/2? Any insight would be great.
I just look at the way heels look and they look like they would hurt the feet and plus I am not sure how often I would wear them since I have carpet in my house and most likely not going out and about for awhile in public.
I love heels, they give off a sexy, bouncy walk. But they are uncomfortable!
Quote from: Bylandbyseabyair on January 19, 2017, 08:12:36 AM
I love heels, they give off a sexy, bouncy walk. But they are uncomfortable!
they don't have to be! Get ones that fit right, and are well made... it makes a difference!
Just a cautionary tale!
I was recently diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma in my right foot, the cause of which is generally attributed to wearing high heels or too tight shoes or both. I then found out that several of my cisfemale friends of my age also suffer from it - caused by prolonged wearing of high heels.
As my very friendly female GP mentioned, orthopaedic surgeons love women to wear high heels, it allows them to buy a new Porsche every year :laugh:
Cindy, thanks for the warning. While I know that you are 100% right about this it is still just so much fun to wear them. While in Las Vegas a year ago, I wore tall ones (at least for me) everywhere I went for two weeks.....it hurt so good....but it took two months to get away from the pain. And I will probably be that stupid next time I head to Vegas again. - Anne
my size is 43 i live in southeast asia hard to find heels that size lol
Quote from: Anne Blake on January 21, 2017, 05:37:35 PM
Cindy, thanks for the warning. While I know that you are 100% right about this it is still just so much fun to wear them. While in Las Vegas a year ago, I wore tall ones (at least for me) everywhere I went for two weeks.....it hurt so good....but it took two months to get away from the pain. And I will probably be that stupid next time I head to Vegas again. - Anne
Haha! It's funny 'cause it's true. It hurts so good...and, yes, please, may I have another?
I also am a high heel lover. When I look at shoes online I look at 3 1/2 inch and higher. I find them exciting and cute or sophisticated. On the other hand looking for shoes of a more utility purpose is tedious and I find them far less attractive. Being in the closet still finding space to hide them is a challenge and I have purged shoes many times :(
Hugs,
Jeanette
Sadly, Payless is closing almost 400 stores.. but some are remaining open, and we always have online....
Try Famous Footwear, They have great website, pick up at store, returns through store. Most SA' are helpful near me.
I literally received my first heels (or actually women's shoes of any kind) in the mail like an hour ago and have had them on since. Probably should have read this thread first but I went straight to 5" stilettos. Newbie mistake sounds like. I put them on with my man clothes and been walking back and forth. Pretty amazing but I could feel my leg and butt muscles were tightening so I opted out of those clothes for some panties... Now THAT is amazing. Like everything I have tried feminine, shaving everything, panties, lingerie, stockings, dresses, makeup, I keep repeating, now I know why women like it. It is ALL amazing. I mean, I put lipstick on for the first time last night and someone told me how to make them look fuller and I couldn't stop looking at them for hours. I didn't know I could look like that. This is like that too.
So, about these shoes. I have been walking back and forth and I am just sitting now with them on and they are quite uncomfortable. I don't want to take them off for anything though. I think I am on the side that I would suffer to wear them because the trade off is to look and feel incredible
I was surprised heels are so inexpensive though. At $29.99, I think they are the cheapest shoes I own. I got them online from AMI Club Wear (Hot Pink Strappy Lace Tie Open Toe Single Sole High Heels Faux Leather).
I would agree with what I read about getting a smaller size for these because your feet are so pushed to the front. I did the conversion from men's 8 to women's 10 like I was told but my heel is is not all the way to the back. I should have went down a half size.
Heels and Shoes are the one item that I don't buy cheap, because good shoes for you are far better and will last a long time and make your feet look beautiful every time.
Here is what I bought recently on a trip away. The shoes are just gorgeous and I treated myself. Oh for a rich boyfriend!
http://asia.christianlouboutin.com/au_en/shop/women/pigalle-follies-100-patent-90800.html (http://asia.christianlouboutin.com/au_en/shop/women/pigalle-follies-100-patent-90800.html)
Payless. Look online what they have in size 13, order store delivery. Or look up which store has what you like and go there. I went there many time in male mode and just grab what I liked and try it on right on the bench - no shoes can be bought without checking the fit and look
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As far as starting - I jumped into 3' right in, but my first had a good solid heel.
I was walking in them for a few days at home, then just it started to feel more natural than no-heeled male shoes.
Take shorter steps, don't rush, don't step into a pothole without looking constantly down
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Quote from: warlockmaker on November 26, 2016, 05:41:30 AM
With high heels you will find you need a smaller shoes cos the high heel pushes your toes to the end of the shoe. Also if its too loose the heel will constantly pop pop out of the shoe and you cannot walk. I suggest straps with your first heels. Also start with 2.5 inches or use wedged heels.
Plus, quality heels are well worth the money cos cheap ones will cause you pain after wearing for a short while.
I agree with the wedged heels, that is what im using right now and it allows for great practice. BTW Family Dollar usually have them at a great price.
I have high heels and some boots with high heels and I love how they look but if I'm standing a lot or walking a lot they make my feet hurt. I wore some boots with like a 3 inch heel Christmas shopping because they looked so good with the skirt I wore. Big mistake. OUCH! I don't have any heels higher than 3 inches. I think I probably would fall if I wore like 6 inch heels. Besides that, 6 inch heels would make me almost 6feet tall and I don't want to be quite that tall.
I started with 6.5 inch platforms just like the strippers wear I was confident I could walk in them it took me a while and I can even jump up an down it took lots of practice I wish I would have started with smaller heels but that is me the problem with to high heel is that is you have to take your height in to consideration or you end up being super tall
I think the general rule is that the more you walk the lower your heels get. But, then again, the bottom of my right heel was recently roundly abused by a pair of flat sandals.