More and more men want to wear high heels

Looking around the fashion websites, such as Fashion.ie, Shiny Fashions, Fashion Forum etc., Spokesman notices a growing demand by men wanting to wear high heels and nylon tights especially, some frilly pantee lovers and male make-up experts there too, even a few who want to wear girdles and the odd few who want to wear bras.

Straightaway, due to the multiplicity of feminine items of allure that males want to wear, including perfume (might overcome the stench of stale stout) , I will not run a poll here yet, but I would love your views and comments.

If nothing else such views and comments might brighten up a dull November. Maybe even make it sizzling hot out on Ireland's streets.

So, what do you think, come on, let us know. What do you women think ? What do you men think ?

The main demand seems to be coming from young men who think that they look cool in high heels with jeans. Several express a preference for heels, nylons and skirts, few want to go the whole hog with bras and make-up.

Though several want to wear girdles, just when women have cast them to the winds, to flatten their bellies (more likely Beer Bellies) and pull in their rears in jeans. And the demand is not actually coming from gay people as is commonly thought, in fact gay men seemed to have less interest than their hetero counterparts.

Spokesmen took to the streets and did a survey. Generally, he found women responders positive, though they were sceptical of the frilly pantees and bra demanding males. Men interviewed were amused, some guffawing outright - and men I asked were notably negative.

"Sure ye'd have ta shave yer legs ta wear them nylon tights !", one man remarked thoughtfully, though when I pointed out that women shave their legs he replied, puzzled, "that's a new one on me ! "

A local hairdresser was all for it:

"Ye see we hair stylists would do twice the business if that were to happen", he offered hopefully, "as the fashion boys would want lovely regular hairstyles wouldn't they ? "

Next, Spokesman is into the lingerie department on the High Street with mike and tape cassette:

"Sure we have men in here all the time buying undies for themselves, and they can even bring them along to the male fitting rooms and try them on", Mary the Fitter told me, surrounded by two assenting lovely assistants and a couple of lady shoppers all interested at the latest trend.

Mary told me that, as a corsetiere she has fitted gentlemen for years, "nice professional and business gents too", she offered, "I've given men nice flat bellies in my time, the support helps too, particularly men with back problems. Of course they must be fitted well for comfort, and that's where I come in", she stated proudly.

One of the lady shoppers there offered the opinion that certain men do look nice in kilts.

Then it was into the shoe department where Anne the expert high heels saleslady offered her opinion, coming to the conclusion:

"Yes, heels would look nice under jeans, through I would not really see where the tights would come in on a man. Though, you know, a man would actually find it easier to wear heels all day, as you have much stronger leg muscles. "

Finally the Owner, a man, summed up:

"Of course the trade would welcome men wearing suitable items traditionally reserved to ladies, we'd make a lot more money, wouldn't we. There are some chaps who come in here shopping for themselves, various little knick knacks they fancy.

Back out on the street, I stopped a Garda (Irish Policeman), a giant of a fellow who looked down on me benignly from a great height as I sought his opinion:

"err umm, strictly speaking it isn't against the law and the Garda do have strict laws rigorously enforced, mind you, protecting people who exercise their wish to wear whatever they wish providing they go about their normal business in a peaceful and orderly manner. And we do have a poster in the Station forecourt outlining serious offences that can be committed against gender-oriented persons. "

"So, Officer, what would you do, say, if Spokesman here came toddling down the street in stilettos, skirt and tights in broad daylight ? "

"Nothing at all providing you conducted yourself in a peaceful, orderly and decent fashion. "

"And if there were a group of galoots sneering, jeering and whistling ?"

"I would move them along about their business, of course. that is my duty. "

"Would you laugh or smile yourself ? "

"No, but I would be in stitches laughing when I got home off duty ! "

Nothing to beat an honest copper.

Next into a pub and up to Yer Man in the Corner :

He looked into his pint, mulling it over, thinking deeply, drew a huge swallow, a satisfying gasp, steadied his gaze straight at me and proceeded to pontificate in his usual philosophical fashion:

"Sure the missus at home hasn't worn a skirt or dress or whatchemaycallit in years. And the good woman is not on her own, the women have taken over mens' clothes, suits and all, they're even wearing braces. So as I see it I couldn't give an earthly curse what anybody wears, so long as I don't have to wear one of them damned corsets, for God's sake where would I have the room to put a pint ? "

And he looked around the pub to his fellows for the usual acknowledgement of his genius.

"Sound man, Johnny", and they all nodded solemnly.

True for him, how could a man drink in a girdle, I agreed, and fall home along the streets in high heels after a good session.

"But there are women I know who can manage it no bother..." , offered Paddy in the other corner...

"Women are an entirely different species altogether..." Ned began...

The Great Debate had begun.

Contributed by Eilis and Gabriel Murray, NCAD.