My post about Heel Heads and Shafties was a marginal idea that was very poorly stated. The notion began when I was looking at the Blake Lively flood that Droopy posted. There were some great pictures there and I noticed the similarities between the two outfits I highlighted. I sort of liked one of them and the other made me want to gouge my eyes out. I should have left it there. BUT NOOOOO, I had to think I was clever and that I'd be able to strike the right tone with an observation about the different ways different people view different boots. I failed. It didn't help that my wife came home just as I was writing it and I rushed it out. I should have just hit "delete" instead of "post."
When I woke up this morning, my first instinct was to remove the post and act like it never happened. But that's the easy way out and it goes against all my training and experience in journalism. I don't apologize for being a shaftie and I'm always going to just post the stuff I like. I did write something that wasn't a clear expression of my thoughts and observations. I've always been fascinated by the myriad differences between boot hobbyists. In the last two decades I've dealt with a lot of boot lovers, many of whom were not shy about expressing their deeply held preferences. As I've said before, these preferences come from a place before words. They are a deep, almost instinctive, reaction. We have to remember that even though we all love the same sport, we can have extreme opinions about who's the best team.
And as odd as it sounds, from what I understand there are some people who view boots as just another kind of shoe. How bizarre is that?
The only thing that really bothers me about these kinds of discussions is when people just can't fathom that what THEY are into isn't universally accepted as the best. There are those who just can not, no matter what, concede that suede might possibly be appealing to others. Or those who insist that if the soles have no wear, the boots are useless.
ReplyDeleteThey are all, of course, more than entitled to their own tastes, but the notion that they can't even understand that their very particular tastes are not the universal norm is baffling to me.
I feel fortunate in that I honestly dig a wide variety of boots -- even the OCCASIONAL ankle boot (there was a patent, stiletto YSL boot popular a few years back that comes to mind). I even like Uggs and Hunter boots, in the right settings. I know some would find me reprehensible for that!
I ran into this sort of tunnel vision all the time in the early days of thighboots.com. It took me quite a while to understand the violent reaction some people had to flats. In 1997 most of us had never interacted with another boot lover. We only had our own tastes and experiences to guide us. It was natural (back then) to assume our preferences would be universal. Things are a lot better now. There are still rigid people, but my gut says they're equally rigid in matters of politics, religion and flavors of ice cream.
DeleteBut you're completely wrong about Uggs.
As I've said before, I don't really know why I like women in tall boots, I always have, as long as I can remember. And equally, I can't logically explain why I am literally repulsed by ankle boots.
ReplyDeleteBut I just am. I always think when seeing a lady so attired (encumbered) "why do you think they look good?"
Still, it's good to discuss these things!
James Addiction
The same argument can be said/made of either pull on or zipper boots as well. My preference is an knee/thigh high zipper booted woman. You can't beat the erotic/kink appeal on how much the zipper has had made over the years since its invention. Many a movie (even TV) that has been made w/ having some sort of "zipper scene" (either being funny or erotic) can't be ignored. Some see the clever device having an erotic appeal while others see it as nothing. To each their own.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to zippered boots, tell me of an movie that has anything better than lets say Pretty Woman, Tomcats, Goodbye Lover just for starts......
This is an intressting discussion. I could go on for hours about what sort of boot is perfect for me. But i do realize that it is for me and for anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI just Think it´s fun that i,m not alone in my boot fantasies.
A black leather boot, going calfhigh with a 4 inch thin heel and zipped in the back. OR a kneehigh with inside zipper OR a 5 inch thighboot with spurs and....... so on so on... I love boots, period. :)