Thanks FashionIndie Envy Member Shirley Warner for the tip

Graciously Yours,

Lady Jessica, Indie of Fashion.

Mark Cramer and Coy Barton; “I’m in Steve Madden, he’s in Chinese Laundry,” said Mr. Barton of their shoes.

“I wish society was more acceptable of men wearing heels,” laments Jeff Paice, one of the queens interviewed by the Times, while in a black button down, black trousers and a pair of wedged sandals. Once upon a time, however, men could wear heels without stigma.

In 18th century France, Louis XIV often wore five-inch heels depicting miniature battle scenes. The Sun King decreed that only nobility were allowed to wear heels in red — how’s that for trademark infringement Christian Louboutin — and that no one could have heels higher than his own. Diva. Then in 1791, following the French Revolution, noted lilliputian Napoleon Bonaparte banned high heels to show equality.

Louis XIV in a sensible heel

For Paice, though, the options for a pump-lovin’ man leaves much to be desired. His cohorts, Coy Barton and Mark Cramer, allegedly 24 and 25, couldn’t agree more. ”I literally look at girls and think, you have so many options. You have jumpers, you have skirts, you have dresses, you have pants, you have shorts. Boys have pants and shorts. Or suits and a shirt,” Barton says, both he and Cramer dressed similarly in grey slacks, white dress shirt and tranny heel. But Barton, in his $115 Steve Maddens and Cramer in his $170 Chinese Laundry booties, don’t consider this a form of drag.

To them and to Sean Wagner, the heels are not about creating an illusion, they’re about having fun. “As far as we’re concerned, this is just bringing a look to a club — which is what you are supposed to do,” explains a bearded and bespectacled Wagner, in an eight-inch neon green pair of lace-up ankle boots — or as he refers to them, “my usual hiking shoes.” The 6’2″ Wagner is also a fan of the height the shoes give him. “I’ve bought Louis Vuitton. I’ve bought Gucci. But a lot of designers don’t go high enough for me. I found a company in Arizona that will do 15-inch heels for $3,000.” Let’s see 6’2″ plus 15″ equals…a towering tranny inferno.

Also taking the designer high-heeled road is Gregory Alexander, whose six-inch Balenciaga wooden wedges retail for $2000. That, however, is not the only price he’s paid for his shoe fetish. Last summer, while trying to jump a fence to get into a party, Alexander broke his ankle and was in a cast for four months. ”They told me I should never wear heels again, obviously,” he recounts.

But a broken ankle never keeps a lady down and by the time the NYT caught up with him, Alexander was in his Yves Saint Laurent Imperiale platform stiletto ankle boot — these L.A. gals do love an ankle boot —  skinny black jeans, a shirt and skinny tie and, of course, a motorcycle jacket, Because you gotta keep it butch. [NYT, Random History]

1. Buy shoes that fit. If you disregard this step, you will fail to stay comfortable in heels even if you follow every other rule. If the shoes are too big, you toes will curl under as you walk, attempting to hold on to the sole for dear life. If they are too small, pinching and swelling will happen immediately.  Shoes were physically constructed to hit certain parts of the foot, and when you ignore that fact it can be the beginning of a long line of foot injuries.  No matter how much you love those too-small vintage Ferragamos, do as Goldilocks and search until you find a pair just right.

2. Break in your heels before taking them out into the world. When you buy a new pair of shoes, wear them around your house before hitting the pavement. Try a few short sessions of running around indoors to break them in without hurting yourself.  You will walk with more confidence, the shoe will begin to form to your foot, and the bottoms will scuff slightly to prevent slipping.

Credit: All I Need is a Picket Fence

3. Don’t be afraid of insoles. Feet sliding in a strappy shoe? Find a non-slip insole that will keep your foot in place. Do you have a low arch or sensitive soles? Gel inserts can be arch supporters and therefore life savers if you’re going to be on your feet all day.

4. Learn to walk properly in heels. 1. Posture is key: back straight, chest forward, head up and shoulders back. 2. Tightening your stomach muscles will keep your core strong and prevent all of your weight from falling on your tootsies. 3. Take long strides and keep those knees from bending so you aren’t clopping down like Bigfoot. Try to place your heel and toe down at the same time, or your toe down first and then your heel (the opposite of walking in flats).  Walking heel to toe could snap a stiletto or an ankle. 4. Your knees are best friends, keep them close to each other. 5. To walk like a runway model, keep your upper body tight and strong but let your hips sway. You will walk with swagger and prevent that awful sharp pain in the balls of your feet that comes from stomping.

Credit: NY Mag

6. There is no shame in taking a seat if you can. DO NOT remove your heels until you’re done wearing them for the day. Your feet will swell slightly after taking them off, so it will be harder to get them back on once you’ve allowed them to relax. If you are in an environment where seating is available and sitting is appropriate, take a seat every 20-30 minutes. This will let an inanimate object support your weight for awhile.

Credit: Fashion Morebidity

7. Pamper your feet after a long day. After carrying your body weight on 5 inch heels all day, your feet deserve some soothe and repair time. From left: Bodyback.com Porcupine Massage Ball; Skin by Monica Olsen Sore Foot Repair Cream; Bliss Moisture-gel-padded spa treatment socks.

So far, Paris has been a good girl.

But honestly, who shows up for a service project in Louboutins?

I realize Paris will be Paris, but come on… 4-inch heels are not suitable for rocky terrain.

As the Shaolin monk who sits atop Mount Paddywhack once told me, “dress for the occasion.”

Forever 21 has come out with a pair of Fringe Open Toe Boots ($35) that are nearly identical to the Alexander Wang’s Alexis Boot. Check out the comparison after the jump.

LINKAGE: The Look For Less: Alexander Wang Fringe Platforms