A heeled men's boot from John Fluevog (Image: Carlo Mendoza)
High heels for men are no longer solely within the realm of drag queens. Today the Star declares them the must-have accessory for the fashion-forward modern man. Besides, with the fellas trying everything from compression underwear to mantyhose, it was only a matter of time before they would be spotted in stilettos.
Androgynous, edgy and sometimes masculine women’s footwear by Balenciaga, Rodarte and Alexander Wang is most popular among fashionistos. Montreal fashion editor Cary Tauben attended Jeremy Laing’s New York presentation in a pair of heels from Topshop and has considered buying a pair of thigh-high Rodarte boots. (The only time he lowers himself to wear flats is on airplanes.)
In Toronto, singer Fritz Helder, of Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, wears heels because they make him feel “taller, fiercer, and it goes with that rock and roll attitude. I can go out and stomp all over.” Stores like Fluevog and Chasse Gardée, both on Queen Street West, routinely sell (and sell out of) heels for men; Canadian designer Rad Hourani trotted male models down the runway in an open-toe boot with socks in his fall show.
While we don’t expect to see the look on Bay Streeters (many of whom have only recently discovered that pleated pants are out) any time soon, the Toronto fashion week pack may be a whole lot taller this season.
• Men sex it up with high heels [Toronto Star]
Okay, first mens makeup, now heels. What is next, the male skirt? I just can’t see any straight male thinking heels look good on them.
March 4, 2010 at 12:42 pm | by GrahamYeah, not likely. the “MEN” in the title should have a clarification as to what type of Male you are talking about. Get a pair of army garrison boots that have 1″ of lift and big enough soles to actually look like something respectable.
March 4, 2010 at 12:43 pm | by TorontoPotatoI feel so sorry for straight women these days. (And gay guys who like their men the old-fashioned way).
March 5, 2010 at 12:44 pm | by Josh Dehaas@Graham
male skirts and heels are nothing new…
March 7, 2010 at 3:42 pm | by ???“my back hurts, my feet hurt” can’t wait for the whining to begin.
March 10, 2010 at 8:06 am | by IMANTA Blast from the Past!!
I may be dating myself, but I remember wearing these back in the early 70s. I found them very comfortable and didn’t want to part with them or to have the style change. I certainly felt taller – but then I am only 5’6″ so anything was an improvement.
March 13, 2010 at 10:05 am | by GordonWow! I’m like 20 years ahead of the game. lol. Actually Gordon beat me, in the 70′s even.
Back in 1992, I bought a pair of boots with heels on them much like the one in the picture in this article, except they are black and have zippers on the inner side, and 3 seam lines stitches instead of one. I actually love wearing them too. I still have them and wear them to occasions.
March 14, 2011 at 9:41 pm | by Elmware