High Heel Shoe blog

Vending Machines for After Party Shoes

admin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:27:46 +0000

This is a follow up on our post Free Shoes For People in Devon, in which a town in the UK was handing out flip flops to people who have had too much to drink. The program was geared towards women in high heels that had been out drinking at bars in fear that they will injure themselves walking home.
Image courtesy of Rollasole	Three new companies in England have taken this idea a bit further by selling their version of portable flats in vending machines at nightclubs. Rollasoles, Afterheels and Butterfly Twists have manufactured rollable or foldable ballet flats that sell for about 5 GBP, or $8.25 USD. There are listed 27 clubs offering the Rollasoles and 11 offering Afterheels. There was no information availalbe on clubs offering Butterfly Twists at this time. Rollasoles are available in 3 colors (black, gold and silver) and sold
in 3 sizes (small, medium and large). AfterHeels are currently available in metallic black pearl with fuchsia pink lining in two sizes (small and medium). Butterfly Twists are only available in black in 3 sizes (small, medium and large). All three are sold with a matching bag to carry their wearer’s shoes home. These shoes are a great idea also for those who must wear high heels at work. One can wear these for the ride or drive to and from work and easily change out of them into high heels. There currently are no vending machines here in the US selling this product. We are	Image courtesy of AfterHeels
Image courtesy of ButterflyTwists	unsure if these companies ship to the US but we did find one company here in the US, SpareSoles, which has an online store that carries ballet flats that has them in 4 sizes (small, medium, large and x-large) and 7 different colors (black, brown, gold, ivory, leopard, silver and white). They range in price from $25-$29 a pair (not including shipping). Each pair comes
with a matching pouch with wrist strap meant for carrying the flats only. They are not designed to carry the heels which have been taken off. Is this trend something we should be expecting to see here in the states in the next few years? We buy food, drinks, personal products and many other items from vending machines, why not shoes? Women go out clubbing in high heels and normally have aching feet by the end of the night. Due to our society, women here in the US usually have some sort of transportation to get home, other than their own two feet. But in resort areas these could possibly become a big hit. Along with vending machines selling flats for women wearing high heels one could find in fancier restaurants or clubs, vending machines that sell ties for men or dress shoes for women.

Economy Effects on Shoe & Apparel Prices

admin — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:13:17 +0000

Happy Father’s Day!!

First we would like to post an update to a post we made back in November titled Lower Shoe Prices for Who. Earlier this year the Affordable Footwear Act was hoped to become part of the economic stimulus package that went before Congress. Unfortunately it was not included. The AAFA intends to continue to push approval of this act by Congress. Because this bill (H.R. 3934) was introduced in a previous session of Congress, no more action can occur on it. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven’t passed are cleared from the books. This bill has been reintroduced as S. 730: Affordable Footwear Act of 2009. The latest action was on March 26, 2009 in which it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.The majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee, according to govtrack.us.

We have also come upon another interesting bit of news. Back in early February 2009, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that the VAT export rebate for apparel and textiles was being increased from 14% to 15%. It is unknown if this affects the footwear industry, but one would think that it should. The export tax rebate refers to the money the tax authority returns to exporting enterprises for the indirect tax they pay in the production and distribution process. Even if it does not affect footwear, one would think it should affect the price of apparel that is being imported from China. Since the manufacturers are seeing some sort of break in the costs they are incurring to export their goods, couldn’t they possibly pass along a discount to the importers who are purchasing their merchandise? If they could pass along a discount, the retailers should be able to offer some sort of lower price along to the consumers. Rather than seeing any decrease in cost of the merchandise we offer, unfortunately we have seen an increase. We have not passed any of these increase in costs along to our customers at this time, and hope that we do not
have to.

Bordello Collection Now Available

admin — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:22:04 +0000

We have finished adding a new collection shoes and boots to our store. The Bordello collection of heels range from 2″ to 5 3/4″ in heel height, featuring glitter, satin, rhinestones, sequins and velvet. These new items include booties, peep toe sandals, pumps, slides, ankle and knee high boots. This is a truly sophisticated line of footwear perfect for special events including weddings, proms, pageants or if you just want to be noticed.
	The Rosa-02, shown left, features a 3 3/4″ heel, closed heel, and flower accent on the vamp. It is available in baby pink satin as shown, black satin and champagne satin. This beautiful shoe is perfect for bridesmaids or the mother of the bride.
The Courtess-1025, shown right, is a front lacing 5″ platform calf high boot with glitter and rear lace up accent. This item is available in gold as shown, green and baby pink.
	The Teeze-07L, shown left, is a 5 3/4″ concealed platform Mary Jane style pump with lace overlay decor. This shoe comes in hot pink as shown, lime green, red and nude.
These three items are just a sample of the exquisite new styles now available for purchase.

Latest Male Celebrity in High Heels

admin — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:45:51 +0000

It is rather common to see female celebrities doing a photo shoot in high heel shoes, but it is a rare occurrence to see a man. To many peoples surprise it is becoming more common. The most
	recent male celebrity spotted donning high heels was Quentin Tarantino. There was a spread in the New York Times T Magazine, which is primarily a style publication. In the photo shoot Tarantino was wearing a pair of high heels, holding a bra in one hand and a highball glass of something in the other. The photo shoot was meant to promote ‘‘Inglourious Basterds’’, Tarantino’s latest film in which he is the writer and director, which is due out mid to late August.
Maybe as more and more US male celebrities are seen wearing high heels, maybe it will become more acceptable for any man who wants to express his fashion freedom.

Chinese Men Run Race in Heels

admin — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:43:23 +0000

Recently during one of the festivals in China, both men and women have been running back and forth along a twenty meter long track that included hurdles. However, this was not your average foot race; women were required to wear 10cm (roughly 4-inch) heels, while men were required to wear 8cm (roughly 3 1/4-inch) heels during the race. The two week long event
Photo from dailytimes.com.pk	included races for men, women, and couples. All participants were within the age range of 18 to 55. The winner of each category received a prize of the equivalence to £100 (about $151.62) as well as coupons. Regardless of the men’s inexperience in running, or even wearing heels, there were no injuries reported.
It makes one wonder why Americans frown upon men wearing heels, as compared to in many Asian societies. They seem not to have any problems with it. It also brings into mind the newer story about one of the runway models falling due to her heel height; if men who do not have experience in wearing heels can manage to run a foot race while jumping hurdles with ease, why can’t a model who wears heels on a daily basis keep her footing while walking? If there are any men brave enough to want to try a foot race in heels try out our line of high heels for men.

Can’t Do Community Service Wearing Heels

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:44:53 +0000

A 47 year old woman in the UK was recently sentenced to 80 hours of community service after she was convicted on two counts of damaging a vehicle and one on failing to provide a breath specimen. She showed up to do her community service in a pair of four inch high heel boots and was told that they were unsuitable for doing the she was to do, such as cleaning graffiti and mending fences. She now has to return back to court later this month for re-sentencing since she refused to wear the protective footwear they felt she needed to wear.

People with certain foot conditions, especially those with high arches, usually find some comfort in wearing shoes with a heel. Depending on how bad the condition is, how high of a heel they need to be comfortable. The woman in question stated that she has “always walked on the balls of my feet. My heels don’t naturally hit the ground. My slippers have a two-and-a-half inch heel. Apparently there are ways to correct the problem but I don’t want to go through that now.”

Many people feel that this woman is making excuses not to serve her sentence and feel that they should just throw her in jail. In her last job she had to sign a disclaimer so she could wear high heels to work. Why can’t they do the same for this? If she is unwilling to sign now so she can do her ‘time’, then they should lock her up. Your thoughts are welcome!

Prom: Look good without breaking the bank!

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:08:52 +0000

It’s that time of year again for many high school guys and girls. The school year is almost over, which means that prom is on the mind of many teens. The average cost incurred for females is $375-$1225 and $245-$1195 for males. But you don’t need to break the bank to make the night a memorable one. Below are listed a few ideas to help save a couple bucks.

As always, shoes are an important part of the outfit. Girls, keep in mind that a low heel with an ankle strap is best. You are going to be on your feet a lot dancing and a broken ankle is not what you want to have to ruin the night. Whatever shoe you decide on, this pair of shoes does not have to be a one night wear. Find a pair that you can wear for prom and other occasions. Silver or black are usually popular choices as they can go with so many different outfits.

Guys, you don’t need to go out and buy a tux. You can normally get good deals on tuxedo rentals, especially if you mention a student discount. Ladies, consider renting a dress if possible. After all, you’re only wearing it once. Whether you rent or buy, start shopping early so you won’t be rushed into an expensive, last-minute choice. Also consider wearing a dress from a previous occasion or swapping with someone else. You also never know what you may find at a second hand store or some areas sponsor a dress donation program.

Another cost saving idea is to consider beauty schools as an inexpensive way to get your hair, nails and / or makeup done. The student gets the practice and you get the look you desire at a fraction of the cost at a standard salon. Also, don’t forget about the makeup counter at the department stores. Many times you can get a free makeover with the purchase of some beauty products.

What about transportation? Many teens insist that the only way to go is to opt for a limo. If this must be the method of transportation, book in advance to bargain for the best deal. Going in with another couple or friends also brings down the cost as more people will be chipping in toward the price of the ride. Most limos seat at least four people, but check with the rental company to determine the different rates depending on what size limo they have available.

Many girls and guys drop a fortune on tanning prior to prom night. Tanning booths are no safer for the skin than baking in the sun, so skipping the tan is an easy way to save money. If you desire a golden glow at a cheaper price, consider tan creams and sprays from your local pharmacy or retail store.

Photos taken at prom can be very expensive. Save some money and use your digital camera. Most digital cameras have built in software for special framing or come with software programs to assist in editing the picture if needed. You can print out copies on your home computer or take it to a photo development store to make copies.

High Heels For Men in True Mens Sizes!

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:06:39 +0000

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, high heels were an indicator of wealth and status for both men and women. This held true until the Revolution where men and women stopped wearing them to try and hide their noble stature. Since that time high heels for men were no longer mainstream. In the nineteenth century high heels were introduced here in the USA, but since it came after the Revolution they were only seen worn by women. High heels for men tried to make a come back during the 70’s disco era and have been seen off and on being worn by a few performers on stage.
	Over the last 3-4 years I have seen a growing increase of men wearing high heels. Now these men are not only cross dressers and transsexuals, but straight men as well who just desire ‘fashion freedom’ or men
	who just love the look and feel that only this type of shoe can give. Seeing this demand I started talking to many manufacturers here in the USA and in China trying to get them to manufacture high heel shoes
for men in men’s sizes, on a men’s last, but I was never able to get this done. Although I was not able to accomplish the task of having high heels for men made, another gentleman named Bernie J. Fatla has been able to. Bernie has been able to do what I was not, and that is to have high heel shoes made on a mens last in true men’s sizes! I have talked to Bernie and we are proud to announce that we are now carrying his full line of high heel shoes and boots designed for men. Unlike other sites that offer women’s shoes in larger sizes and converting them to men’s sizes and claiming that they are high heels for men, this new line of shoes is different. They are truly made on a men’s last and are in men’s sizes…they are men’s shoes. You may have noticed that I am trying to stress the point that this new line of shoes are truly high heels made for men and that these are not women’s shoes. I am doing this because this is truly a big deal. Men’s fashion freedom has become more pronounced in the recent years and I have had customers asking me where can they get product that actually fits. I have talked to numerous manufacturers, but none of them heard my calls. I am very happy that someone finally did. Bernie is the only person in the country that has these shoes, but I am sure that he will not be the only one for long.Will this result in a true fashion revolution here in the states? I saw the demand for this product, Bernie saw the demand for this product and is working very diligently to fill the void and answer the calls of many men. Is this the beginning of a new trend? It is almost commonplace in the UK to see a male walking down the street in some sort of heel. Has the call for men’s fashion freedom been answered? Please visit our store to see the full line of high heels for men

Can High Heels Improve Your Sex Life?

admin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:19:27 +0000

Happy 2009 everyone!! I hope everyone got what they wanted and had a safe holiday and New Year. I took the week off to spend time with family and friends. It was nice, but it is now time to get back to work.

Most people will agree that high heels are very sexy and some would go as far to say they are just as sexy as any piece of lingerie a woman can put on. But although these shoes are sexy and have the power to instantly turn on most men, they can also improve your sex life in other ways. Dr. Maria Cerruto, an Italian urologist, discovered that wearing high heels can improve a woman’s pelvic floor muscles. His findings were based on 66 women, all under the age of 50, who after wearing 3 inch heels were found to have elevated electrical activity in their pelvic muscles by as much as 15 percent on average. The women were also noted to have better posture as compared to women who wore flat shoes. This finding disproves the assumption that the spine will curve forward from the wearing of high heels. Professor Ki Kyung-Do, a professor at Kyung Hee University, states “Wearing reasonably high heels can tighten the thigh muscles and affect the pelvic muscles connected to the leg muscles. Since pelvic muscles are not used often, wearing high heels can provide them with a form of exercise. Although more negative studies show that wearing high heels can shift one’s body weight forward and put pressure on the knees and spine, there is no real danger for young women in wearing 1 3/4 to 2 inch high heels.” He goes on to say that if a woman wears heels that are 3 inches or higher that they should not wear them for more than six hours at a time and not more than four times a week.

Tips to relieve high heel pain & discomfort Part 2

admin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:55:44 +0000

Hello! Has everyone finished their holiday shopping yet? Not me, and there are only 6 more shopping days left. I hate waiting until the last minute, but somehow I seem to do it every year. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment. Nevertheless as promised in my last post, here is the conclusion to my list of issues associated with wearing high heels and things you can do to help.

4. Stretching of the calf muscle is very important, but not done by over 90% of the people who wear high heels day to day. When a high heel shoe is worn your calf muscle is shortened. Over time this muscle will become weak and relaxed. Many people have stated that from wearing high heels everyday that wearing flats or tennis shoes are not comfortable and hurt the backs of their legs and sometimes cause their feet and legs to cramp. Now most of you reading this can remember or have seen babies and have seen how flexible they are. Some of you can remember being able to touch your head to your knee but find it impossible to do now as the muscles in your legs are no longer stretched and have grown to the position they are from your day to day habits. This is the same with high heels. If you do not keep the calf muscle stretched it will shorten over time and make wearing flats or even walking barefoot uncomfortable. A simple way to prevent this is to find a board or some solid and prop it up on something like a thick phone book creating a small ramp. The angle can be anywhere from a 30 degree angle to a 45 degree angle. Make sure if you prop something on a book that the book or object cannot slide or move. We recommend putting it against a wall. Now once you have little ramp, stand facing it putting your foot on the ramp while keeping your heel on the floor off the ramp. Now slowly lean forward until you feel it pulling on your calf muscle. Doing this simple exercise will help in keeping the calf muscle stretched and also help in preventing any prolonged damage to the calf muscle.

5. As always we recommend a heel that has ankle support of some sort, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking or dancing. This is also more important when it comes to a higher heel vs a lower heel. Higher heels tend to be more unstable and a person can very easily twist their ankle or fall if their heel slides off to one side of the shoe. An ankle strap or some sort of ankle support can greatly reduce this.

We hope you take the time to read these simple tips and maybe put a few of them to use. In doing so you can help in making the holidays as pain free as possible and also help prevent yourself from twisting your ankle or hurting your back. Being laid up is no way to spend the holidays.