Shoes

Shoes
Footwear is an invention of necessity to protect us from the elements beneath. Over the years shoes have dramatically changed due to cultures and fashions. Footwear is under the influence of fashion. When you purchase shoes the usual questions start emerging, what style? size? Is it well made? These questions are important, a pair of shoes can have an overall effect on a persons health and happiness. Not only pain and discomfort can be brought on by the wrong shoes but headaches, backaches and leg cramps. How Many Miles Do You Walk In A Lifetime? Approximately a person will walk 70,000 miles in a lifetime, so it is important to purchase the correct shoes. The major importance is not to be tempted by the latest fashion, the may look good but are the comfortable. " You can tell a person by the shoes they wear " Just think of those different styles, shapes, constructions, decorations Fashion in expressed in different ways gender, age, economic strata and social echelon of its wearer. Fashion can facilitate or hinder comfort health and ease of movement. It reflects cultural ritual, morality and sexual liberation. It responds to foreign influences, political turmoil, economic stability and artistic sensibility. It is made by the latest scientific developments and technological innovations. It is influenced by popular culture and leading personalities. Everything that shapes our world affects and inspires fashion and by looking at historical fashion within the context of when it was made we can understand how it came about. History Of The Shoe, Where did it start? Shoes where first named by the Greeks and later the Romans, who provided the root for many of our present day footwear styles, including soccus, sandalium and muleus (sock, sandal and mule). During the late Roman (Byzantine) empire, Christian morality deemed it sinful to expose the body. St Clement of Alexandria in the third century AD Preached humility for woman who showed their toes. Byzantine footwear covered the feet and shoes replaced the sandals that both men and women had worn for centuries. Fashion began to change around 1600 as the barriers in dress distinction between classes started to break down. It became a commodity that was traded throughout Europe, remaining elitist through consumption, quality and extravagance. The working classes adapted high fashion into simpler modes using humbler materials and were only restricted by cost and practicality. By the middle of the seventeenth century France had become a beacon of style for all of Europe to emulate. The excesses of baroque were indulged under Louis XIV, and the fashions and arts of France, favoured by European nobility, spread throughout fashionable society. Suddenly there was an interest in high thin-heeled shoes, and by the 1760s English ladies had abandoned their sensible heels to take up the French curvaceous pompadour heel and later, in the 1770s, the Italian stiletto like heel.
Fashion and Our Trend
Naomi Campbell in 1993 hit the headlines, when she took to the catwalk and fell wearing a pair of blue mock-croc platform shoes. Since then westwood sold about 300 pairs, a large potion of sales coming from museums and collectors.
Glossery
A	Airport Friendly - A shoe that contains no metal of any sort, allowing the wearer to pass through airport metal detectors. All Terrain Sandal - Any sandal that is meant for use in rafting, hiking, etc. Often waterproofed and with an all terrain outsole. Ankle Wrap - Straps that are meant to be wrapped around and tied around the ankle for a stylish accent. Apron Toe - A type of toe characterized by a large overlay that covers the front of the toe and has visible edges or stitching, to form a sort of "apron" on the front of the shoe.
B	Bicycle Toe - A type of toe characterized by two stitched straight line accents, so named because of their similarity to professional bicycling shoe detailing. Blucher Toe - A type of toe characterized by a smooth, turned stitch border around the toe area, like an apron toe style in reverse. Boat Shoe - A type of shoe originally meant to be worn aboard a boat, usually with a siped, non-slip outsole, often with side lacing details, almost always a casual shoe you can wear with or without socks. Boot - Any footwear that rises to the ankle or higher, can be casual or dressy, practical or fashionable. Boot Heel - Typically found on boots, this is a wide, stable type of heel that usually is not very high. Bootie - A shoe that has the styling of a boot without the height, also called a shoe-boot or "shootie" Brocade - A type of fabric, often with embroidered or embroidered-style elaborate designs, popular with Asian influenced looks.
C	Cap Toe - A type of toe style with a full toe overlay and a straight stitching line across the top part of the toe, often seen in dress shoes. Casual After Sport - A type of casual shoe that's ideal for use after athletic activity, with sporty styling and comfort, but lacking an athletic shoe's technical features. Cheerleading Shoe - A type of athletic shoe meant for competitive, high-impact cheerleading activity, often with switchable color accents to match team colors, and finger notches in the soles for use in acrobatics. Chelsea Boot - A type of boot, usually ankle height, in a pull on style with elastic side panels. Popularized in England. Cleats - Any traction enhancing spikes or nubs attached to the sole of an athletic shoe, often used in grass-based sports such as baseball, soccer, or golf to ensure sure footing. ClimaCool - A venting and cooling system used by adidas brand footwear with flexible screened vents to keep feet cool. Clog - A type of shoe, usually casual and comfortable, with an open or closed heel and a slip on style. Column Heel - A type of women's high heel that's round and column-shaped. Corporate Casual - A shoe that is clearly casual, but suitable for most "casual Friday" dress codes or relaxed corporate styles. Crepe Sole - A type of sole characterized by a nubbly texture like crepe paper Croc Embossed - Leather that has been embossed or stamped in a pattern simulating crocodile skin Cross Training - Athletic shoes suitable for cross training activities, from running to aerobics to weight training
D	Distressed Leather - Leather that has been rubbed, scratched, or treated for a stylish effect Driving Moc - A type of casual moccasin or slip on ideal for driving, with a flexible outsole, pedal-gripping sole, and a wraparound protected heel Dual Density Midsole - Seen in running shoes, a midsole that employs two different densities of cushioning foam, with denser foam where the foot would normally tend to roll.
E	Elastic Gore - An elastic fabric panel inserted into shoes to provide stretch Energy Return - In running and athletic shoes, it is the response after the foot strikes the ground, a sort of propulsion that helps maintain an effective "gait" or stride Engineer Boot - Originally worn by the Army Corps of Engineers, it is a work style pull on boot characterized by instep and top straps Espadrille - Any shoe that has woven rope or rope-look trim, usually in the sole area
F	Faux Leather - Simulated non-animal leather-like material, usually polyurethane Fisherman Sandal - Type of sandal with woven or stitched vertical and horizontal straps, often with a closed toe Fitness - Athletic shoes ideally suited for gym-style workouts Flat Heel - Shoes with a very low or no heel height Flip-Flop - A type of sandal, usually a thong, with a lightweight foam outsole that makes a "flip-flop" sound when you walk. Footbed - the insole of the shoe, where the foot rests Full Grain Leather - Leather that shows a natural texture or "grain"
G	Gait Control - In athletic running or walking shoes, a system of controlling the foot's movement within the running or walking step to prevent injury and fatigue Gardening Clog - A type of footwear that is usually backless, rubber, and waterproof, ideal for gardening Gore-Tex - An advanced, lightweight waterproof material, ideal as a lining
H	Haircalf - Natural calfskin material with a soft furry texture Handle Drop - In handbags, the length measured between the top of the bag and the center point of the handle Harness Boot - A type of boot characterized by straps across the instep and heel, usually joined by a ring detail Herringbone Tweed - A type of tweed fabric with a jagged line pattern Houndstooth Check - A type of pattern with a diagonal "tooth" checked design Huarache - A type of woven sandal-like casual shoe, originating in Mexico and Central America
I	Insole - The part of the shoe that the foot rests upon, usually cushioned Instep - The area of the foot between the toes and the ankle, or the top front part of a shoe
J	Jelly or Jellie - A type of soft rubbery material, often transparent or translucent Jodhpur Boot - Also called a Chelsea Boot, an ankle height slip on boot with elastic side panels
K	Kitten Heel - A type of heel that is set forward, usually low height
L	Last - A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in making or repairing shoes Light Hiking - Athletic shoes that are ideal for day hikes or "approach" hiking but are not ideal for long backpacking hikes or climbing Lining - The material inside a shoe Lucite - A type of clear hard plastic that is often used in dress shoes Lug Sole - A sole with a heavy three dimensional traction pattern Lycra/Neoprene - A blend of stretch fabric and neoprene rubber, ideal for a waterproof and sporty soft lining
M	Mary Jane - A type of women's shoe characterized by a strap across the instep Mersey Boot - Also known as "Beatle Boots," dress boots with a zippered side and a slightly raised heel Microfiber - A type of closely knit smooth fabric often used in shoes Midsole - The part of the shoe between the very bottom and where the foot rests, often cushioned Moc Toe - A type of toe design with a seam and stitching details, originally seen in moccasins Moccasin - Possibly the earliest type of shoe, a slip on style with visible stitching, often with a soft leather bottom Mod Style - Style characteristic of the "Mod" era in the 1960's, with bold, high contrast geometric patterns and pop-art details Monk Strap - A type of shoe designed like an oxford, but with a strap closure across the instep rather than a lace up front closure Motorcycle Boot - Boots ideal for riding a motorcycle, often with thick, durable soles Mule - A closed toe shoe with no back
N	Nappa Leather - A type of leather characterized by its stretchy, soft, smooth texture Negative Heel - Popular in comfort footwear, a type of footbed with a lowered heel area designed for more natural foot placement Nubuck - A type of leather that has been "bucked" or sanded for a smooth texture with a slight nap
O	Orthotic - A full or partial insole specifically designed for comfort and support Outsole - The very bottom of the shoe, the part that contacts the ground Overlay - Detailing on a shoe made by layering material on top of other material
P	Patent Leather - A type of leather that has been varnished for a shiny finished Peekaboo Toe - A type of closed toe with a small open panel allowing a glimpse of toe Pinked - Detailing characterized by a sawtooth edge Polyurethane - A type of manmade material that can be made to have the look and feel of leather Pronation - The inward rolling of the foot during running or walking, potentially a source of injury PU - The commonly used abbreviation for polyurethane Pumps - Women's dress shoes, usually slip on, often with enclosed toe and sides
Q	Quarter Panel - The sides of the shoe from the heel to the toe
R	Retro - Referring to popular style of the past Ruched - A type of detailing characterized by gathered or pleated material with stitching accents Running - Cushioning - Running shoes characterized by a high degree of cushioning in the insole and midsole, designed for runners in need of maximum shock absorption Running - Stability - Running shoes characterized by a high degree of stabilizing elements, designed for runners in need of gait control Running - Supportive Cushioning - Running shoes with a combination of cushioning and stabilized support, designed for runners needing both Running - Trail - Running shoes designed for running both on and off road, with increased stability and traction for irregular terrain
S	Saddle Shoes - Shoes with a contrast colored instep overlay or "saddle," usually found on golf shoes or retro styles Scalloped - A type of detailing characterized by round wavy edges Sculpted Heel - A type of high heel molded in one piece, usually out of high-impact plastic Siped - A type of outsole with narrow grooves or channels, often found in boat shoes Slingback - Shoes that are backless with a rear strap that goes around the upper heel, usually with a buckle or elastic panel Slouched - Shoes with a baggy, gathered design that "slouches" down, usually found in boots Snip Toe - A type of toe that is tapered, with a squared front as if "snipped" Sole - Another word for outsole, the bottom part of the shoe Spandex/Neoprene - A combination of stretchy Spandex fabric and soft neoprene rubber, a soft and waterproof material usually used as a lining Stacked Heel - A heel that has horizontal lines, indicating that it is made up of stacked layers of leather, or a heel with that appearance Stiletto - A high, tapered, narrow heel, also called a "spike" heel, named for a type of slim knife Strappy Sandal - A sandal characterized by a multiple strap design Studio-Aerobic - Athletic shoes ideally meant for aerobics and other studio fitness activities Suede - Leather that has been sanded or roughed to produce a surface with a soft texture or "nap" Sueded Fabric - Fabric that has been given a soft nap to simulate the feel of suede leather Supination - The rolling of the foot outward to the side while running or walking, can lead to serious injury
T	Tailored - Characterized by a fitted, precise design that follows the contours of the foot Thong Sandal - Any sandal that has material that fits between the toes, especially the big and second toes Toe Ridge - A horizontal ridge added into the footbed of some sandals to anchor and provide support and cushioning for the toes Toe Thong Post - The part of a thong sandal that actually fits between the toes Trubuck - An fabric with a durable but soft texture that simulates nubuck leather T-Strap - A type of shoe with a single vertical strap linking the toe and ankle/heel areas Turf Cleats - Permanent or removable plastic or rubber cleats on athletic shoes Twill Fabric - A woven fabric material characterized by a smooth surface and durable wear
U	Upper - The part of the shoe that covers the top part of the foot, from heel to toe
V	Vachetta Leather - A type of soft cow leather Vamp - The front center part of a shoe's upper Vegetable Tanned - Leather that has been tanned using a vegetable process, ideal for those with allergies to chromium or other tanning chemicals
W	Water Sports - Any sports such as rafting, kayaking, surfing, etc. that require footwear that is waterproof, quick drying, with all terrain traction Western - Roper - A type of Western boot characterized by a lower shaft, flared top, and medium round toe Wing Tip - A type of shoe with overlays and stitched, perforated trim, usually a dress style Work - Non-Safety - Work boots that do not have a steel safety toe Work - Safety - Work boots that have a steel safety toe and conform to ANSI safety standards specified Wrestling Shoe - Athletic shoes ideal for Greco-Roman wrestling, usually with a flexible split outsole and covered laces to conform to rules