Yesterday I picked up the items I'd ordered from Pittarosso. It's been some years since I went on a shoe spree and I was a bit nervous as I prefer to try on in a shop rather than just hoping that what they depict online is what things are like in reality.
I'm pleased to say, I'm happy with my purchases.
I know I keep going on about my legwear and footwear way more than frocks and hair but this is because I am a petite girl. To explain: I am just 163 cm high (that's five foot four inches) in my stockinged feet and that's average height for a woman but quite a bit less than the typical height of a trans woman. Added to that, my shoe size is just 38 (that's 5½ in the UK and, I believe, 7½ in the US). I have rarely been able to buy men's shoes in a size that really fitted me from my late teens onwards. Either I have gone to the children's department at the shoe shop (embarrassing!) or I have had to buy women's shoes, even when I have had to present as male. Nowadays a lot of shoes can be unisex so trying to get a less obviously feminine pair for male presentation is less of a problem.
The result is that my legs need to look longer and slimmer so that I appear taller. Hence the importance to me of high heels, good hosiery, leggings, skinny jeans and skirts that are shorter than maybe suits a women of my age (although that notion is changing). I tend to dress from the ground up, therefore.
I know that for many TGirls finding women's clothes and shoes to fit is a problem. Most things are too small. You can see that being petite has advantages when buying women's clothes but it brings it's own considerations, too.
So I wanted some nice new ankle boots to replace a pair that I bought in an emergency when the only style I could find was chunky heeled. I've always hated them, although they get points for being soft and comfortable. This is that ugly pair.
As narrated last week I finally found a pair that would suit well, plus another pair that really caught my eye, and quite unnecessarily - but why not? - a pair of three-tone patent leather shoes with a stunning heel.
The main replacement boots have a nice solid rounded 7.5 cm (3 inch) heel. They're quite rigid and they'll take some breaking in so I shall wear them round the house for a bit. But they seem stylish, versatile and sensible, which is what I want.
They'd go well with legging, jeans, etc. more than a skirt.
The delicious ruched patent black ankle boots with slim 9 cm (3½ inch heel) were irresisitible and they fit beautifully. I love these. The manufacturers, bless them, have included some spare heel tips in the box.
This is something to wear in the evening with some smart or skinny jeans, say, or funky tights.
And then the shoes. I couldn't resist the black and cappuccino body with pink straps all in patent leather and the same slim, tapering 9 cm heel.
I've no idea when I'll wear these but Christmas Day could be an opportunity. Sometimes you just have to get things because they look fabulous not because they serve a definite purpose!
I made a bit of an effort with my makeup today so here's me relaxing with my new purchases. This is exactly the same pose as the photo at the top where the chunky heels make my legs look chunky, too. The new boots with slim heels make my legs look slimmer.
What do you think? Honest reviews appreciated.
I'd have liked to have worn different outfits with each item but time is a bit limited today.
Have a good weekend. It's going to be fun here as the Christmas lights get switched on and the local council has spent a lot of money on decorating the place, so I think it should look good.
Sue x
Dear Sue, you have the perfect female size. 1,63 and 38 size in shoes. Heaven!!!!. I would love to have about that shoe size and were able to buy them in the shops...and try and try....I am 1,76 ..and I would love to wear high-heels out and about. But then I would be too tall and stand out. And that is not what I want. These shoes are perfect on you and I envy you...really.
ReplyDeleteHave a good time and all the best
Violetta
Thanks for your comment, dear Violetta. Most trans women struggle to find shoes in their sizes or, if they do, then those shoes make them too tall or the shoes are too tight or uncomfortable in other ways. It's a real problem, I know. Being short has caused me plenty of problems in life so I guess I was always meant to be a woman in high heels! Sue xx
DeleteWhat a fine collection of purchases and good to hear that you're very happy with them.
ReplyDeleteI think I get why you didn't like the original ones. The reverse chunk on the heel seems to - IMO - add the wrong angle. That makes the gap between heel and the foot box, making that element look bigger that it is. But, fashion, I guess 🙄
I think I know what you mean about dressing upwards. There's been a few articles out there - not that as a gentleman, I'd be reading womens' periodicals on fashion & style 😁 - in which the stylist talks about how the cut of a shoe or boot affects the leg and how to balance that out with the right hemline.
So for you - as you point out - the 'just above the ankle' boot, means you need to raise your helpline, otherwise you'll narrow the gap between skirt and boot. Plus, with the boot stopping near the calf, you need to add length and narrowness above the knee.... which, you've shown rather well. If that's okay to say.
I guess the role of thirds still applies, because you can also go super long with a skirt and do ankle boots, that peek underneath.
Thanks very much, Lynn. Your comment about how the cut of the boot affects the leg has made me add a point to my text that the chunky boots make my legs look chunky and the slim heeled boots make my legs look slim. You can see this very clearly in the photos even though the pose (and legs) remain the same. Thank you for the compliment, too.
DeleteA long skirt - and I have a few for winter that I love - work with any height of boot. A little bit of boot peeping out is very elegant, I think.
You know, hemlines should be the subject of a PhD thesis!
Sue xx
Re: hemlines - now, of some bright studio could come up with a formula and pop that into an app, that would be grand 🙂
Delete"The position of the boots on your legs suggests a skirt length in the upper range. However, factoring your age and your social concerns, we suggest jeans or leggings, as you may feel uncomfortable in the higher hemline...." 😁
I've mentioned before that the trans part of me is jealous that you can fit a 51/2 UK shoe size, especially after seeing a rather lovely pair of dark red suede mary janes and a pair of grey suede ankle boots of that size in a local charity shop yesterday. That side of me is also slightly envious of your height, which better fits my internalised femme body image than my actual 6 ft.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the chunky block heel boots not really suiting your frame, and the two pairs you found with slimmer heels suit you much better, although the heels on the shiny black ruched pair do look a little precarious - although perhaps more for me than for you. Both would definitely work with skinny jeans/leggings or - as Lynn points out - a long skirt.
The black and cappacino t-bar shoes are smart and would perfectly suit a dressy outfit or long gown, although I have to avoid anything with a pointed toes, partly because they make my feet look overly big at a size 8 or above but also because I now need a wider fitting to avoid painful pinching [alliterations'R'us] on my big toe.
(I found out recently I can still fit a pair of size burgundy/brown 7 1/2 ankle strap shoes I must have bought 30 years ago, although I need at least an 8 now and wonder if shoe sizes have changed over the years or whether this is just sizing variation between different manufacturers.)
Thanks, Susie. You know, I actually rather envy your 6 foot frame because you are slim.
DeleteSize variations between manufacturers are the bane of our times, and that goes for clothes as well as shoes. My everyday shoes that I wear to go out are labelled as Size 7 but they're clearly a 6 or even less.
The heels may look precarious but a 3+ inch tapered heel was the fashion in the late '90s when I first trained myself to walk in heels and it's the height and style I feel most comfortable and confident in. Maybe if 5 inches had been the height then, I might well have preferred tottering around with that sort instead, who knows!
Sue xx
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed reply.
I just wanted to say I absolutely love hearing about your latest finds! It's great to hear you're happy with your new purchases, especially after a long time of not doing a shoe spree! The new ankle boots are a perfect balance of practical and chic, and I really those ruched black ones. It’s great that you’re able to find styles that work for you, and I can definitely see how they help elongate the legs.
I also love the thought behind your black and cappuccino shoes, sometimes you just have to get something because it’s fabulous, even if there’s no immediate occasion for them. I can totally see them adding a fun pop to any outfit for a special day like Christmas!
As for the idea of dressing from the ground up, I think it’s such a great strategy. It’s all about what makes you feel confident, and it sounds like you’re nailing it.
I hope the Christmas lights in your area end up looking amazing! It sounds like it’s going to be a festive and fun atmosphere, perfect for a little holiday shopping or just enjoying the season.
Thanks again for sharing your style journey, it’s always a pleasure to read your posts.
Lotte x
There's no delay, Lotte. I'm always delighted to receive your comments, especially when they're so encouraging! Thank you.
DeleteYes, since my legs have to do the talking, as it were, it's best to start with them, get them making a statement and then worry about what goes on above! Sounds weird but it's my strategy.
My next post is about the lights, which are pretty impressive.
Sue xx
Dear Sue, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on shopping for shoes and your great purchases. All three of them are great. I love the ruched patent black ankle boots most. I greatly enjoy wearing ankle boots myself and often wish I were bold enough to wear them to work with my drab clothes. It would be a great start to greater flexibility on dressing. Love, Franzi
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Franzi. I think the patent boots are my favourites, too. In the Seventeenth Century men wore high heels, lace shirts, long wigs and silk stockings ... and they looked fabulous. Now it's up to us transgender women, crossdressers and other queer people to show the world how to look amazing. Who knows, the fashion for men in high heels, lace, wigs and stockings might return thanks to us. Sue xx
DeleteI love your new heels. Very lovely indeed and you look fabulous wearing them.
ReplyDeleteDee xxx
Thank you, Dee. Sue xx
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