Men in High Heels

Men in High Heels: A History

In the days of the Renaissance, clothing was elaborate and fancy. Men’s outfits were nearly as outrageous and decorated as women’s. Powdered wigs and faces were worn by both genders. Another fashion statement enjoyed by men as well as women were high heels. The heels of yesterday were nothing like the ones today. There were no stilettos, but heels were modest. Men and women who were part of the royal family or who were otherwise titled were more likely to wear fancy shoes.

Men Who Wear High Heels

Some of the guys you may typically find wearing high-heeled shoes include cross dressers, female impersonators and rock musicians.

Cross dressers

Men who cross dress are often heterosexual; many of them are married and have families. While a few cross dressers are with women who are open-minded enough to accept this habit, the majority of men who don women’s clothes do so in secret, ashamed of what others will think of them. Dressing in women’s clothing and shoes fulfills a need for these men, who otherwise live as the average man next door.

Female impersonators

Men who impersonate women—female impersonators or drag queens—can become celebrities in their own right. There are many clubs and venues across the country that celebrate these men who can quite often fool onlookers into believing they are women. After applying makeup and styling their hair or wearing wigs, then adding glamorous dresses and high heeled shoes, many of these men could walk into a ladies restroom without turning heads. These men in high heels are some of the most fascinatingly beautiful guys you’ll see. One famous impersonator who went on to be the first MAC Viva Glam spokesperson is RuPaul. This tall man transformed himself into a statuesque blonde with cosmetics, wigs, beautiful gowns and heels.

Rock musicians

Some things go hand-in-hand with rock music: groupies, wild partying, late nights and in some cases, high heels. Men who play in rock bands flaunt their masculinity, even though many have long hair and some have been known to strut across stages in high-heeled shoes. Famous musicians who’ve worn heels in concert include:

• KISS band members
• Prince
• Elton John
• David Bowie

Metrosexual Fashion

With the recent men’s fashion phenomenon known as metrosexual dressing—where men openly embrace wearing the latest, snazzy styles as well as taking the time for grooming long afforded to women—some rules of men’s clothing began to be questioned. Cowboy boots have always had higher heels than sneakers, but no one ever had a problem with those. Fashion blogs talked about men in high heels as well, inviting many different opinions on the matter. High heels for men may not ever become the next big thing, but for men brave enough to wear them, despite the discomfort many of them experience, they can finally feel the way women have felt for years.

Where to Find Men’s High Heel Shoes

Most men who love wearing high heels aren’t going to march into their local department store and straight to the ladies’ shoe department, especially if they cross dress in secret. Where can men who love women’s shoes buy them?

• All Heels for Men provides feminine shoes for large-sized feet. The site advises its male customers to add two sizes to their regular shoe size to select the perfectly sized shoe for them.
• Not only will you find shoes at Cross-Dress, you’ll find many other items specific to the transgender community.

Fashion Trend?

It remains to be seen if the majority of men take to high-heeled fashion. While most guys will prefer their feet to remain flatly on the ground, look for the fashion-forward to bring back this look of noblemen in a modern way.