I received an email with a series of questions from a fashion design student based in Hong Kong, who wrote:

I am doing a men’s boots fetishism (MBF) fashion research. The project aims are finding out the MBF consumer behavior and personal perspective; i.e., how the MBF wear their boots in daily life, how MBF wear boots with clothing, and what they want to express their message form they wearing.

He said that many others referred him to me. Wonder why.

I tried to answer his questions. Here goes…

Hello, thank you for your message. I will try to answer your questions. Please know that I do not consider myself to have a “fetish” for boots as the word “fetish” is defined in the dictionary (that is, a need or desire for an object … for sexual excitement or an object that is believed to have magical powers.)

I like and collect boots. Some other men like and collect baseball cards, stamps, or coins.

With my interest in boots in perspective, here are answers to your questions:

1. How many boots do you have?

BHD>> at the moment, 209 pairs. They are listed here.

2. What is your favorite?

BHD>>> I have no favorite boots. I like to wear all of the boots that I own that fit me. I have a few pairs that no longer fit that I will eventually sell. I have some boots that I wear more often than others because they are more comfortable, but no special meanings. Boots are footwear; that is all.

3. What is your most emphasis of boots? it is quality, materials, color, shape, or workmanship?

BHD>>> I look for quality and value — some boots are expensive, and I do not like to spend money on boots that I consider to be overpriced. After quality and value, I choose boots that accommodate how I will use them — to wear to work, to wear when I ride my motorcycle, or to wear when I do physical labor. My interests vary depending on the use. I also like interesting designs on boots, but I have wide and eclectic interests from snakeskin cowboy boots to tough, rugged motorcycle patrol boots.

4. What is the meaning you want to show from wear boots?

BHD>>> That I am not a clone. Men can wear boots in settings where most other men wear dress shoes. Plus, I strongly dislike shoes — so I choose to wear boots.

5. How do you wear clothing with your boots?

BHD>> pants, shirt, … the usual. I wear dress clothing to work in my office with boots. I wear denim jeans and leather jeans with boots when I am not at work. So what? I wear comfortable clothing and boots. Nothing in particular about what I choose, as long as the clothing is comfortable, fits well, and goes with where I am — at work — dressy; at home — casual. That is all.

Being a typical guy, I do not think much about style and fashion. I just wear what is clean, comfortable, and whatever pair of boots fits my whim and is the correct choice for the activities in which I will be engaging — walking, sitting at my desk in the office, riding my motorcycle, taking elderly neighbors grocery shopping, visiting with my family, or doing physical labor with home repairs and work in my garden. I choose different boots that match the activities I will do, and change boots often as my activities throughout the day change.

6. In you answers. You said that you strongly dislike shoes. What is the reason?

BHD>> I never liked how shoes looked. The American term “dorky” applies. Look it up. It is hard to explain. Plus, shoes are unsafe to wear when operating a motorcycle. I engage in activities where boots are a much better choice for protection, safety, and style than shoes would be — and that includes athletic shoes (aka “sneakers”) because I do not engage in athletic activities.

7. I saw your list. It is so amazing! How you store your boots? And how you take care or cleaning of these 209 pairs boots?

BHD>> I store boots on shelves in a room in the basement of my house that I built for that purpose. I also have about 30 pairs of boots in my bedroom closet. I keep the boots organized so I can see what I have. Photos of my boot storage are here.

I do not spend much time cleaning boots, other than occasionally dusting the boots on the shelves where they are stored. I do not obsess about boot care. Boots are boots… made for feet. If boots get dirty, so what? I may occasionally clean a pair of boots that got unusually dirty (if walking in rain, snow, or muddy terrain.) I also try to apply conditioner to boots that are made of exotic skins, like snake. I do not want the scales to dry out and become brittle, break, and become ruined. But that is about it. Not much. I do not have much time to attend to boot care and as I said, I do not obsess over them.

8. What is the image you want to show it from your boots? Is masculine, manly, power, or something else?

BHD>> I have not thought of it that way. I do not have an image in my mind of what I project. I’m a guy. I wear boots. I am gay, but I am not effeminate. I frequently wear leather when I am not at work. I like how the leather feels, offers protection while riding my motorcycle, as well as its design and functionality. Perhaps one image that I portray while wearing boots with leather is masculinity, as well.

Boots merely are a choice of preferred footwear. I guess if I must choose a term, I may say “masculine” because I am not effeminate and I prefer masculine men compared with preferences for women. But that is my sexuality speaking, not my footwear.

Life is short: enjoy your avocation.