The earliest known shoes Cheap Wedding Shoes date from Cheap Wedding Shoes about 8000 Cheap Wedding Shoes to 7000 Cheap Wedding Shoes BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence Cheap Wedding Shoes that Cheap Wedding Shoes the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness Cheap Wedding Shoes of Cheap Wedding Shoes the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results Cheap Wedding Shoes in greater bone growth Cheap Wedding Shoes before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Cheap Wedding Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is Cheap Wedding Shoes called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or Cheap Wedding Shoes health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or Cheap Wedding Shoes smell of Cheap Wedding Shoes the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural Cheap Wedding Shoes rubber or Cheap Wedding Shoes a synthetic imitation. The outsole Cheap Wedding Shoes may comprise a single piece, Cheap Wedding Shoes or may comprise separate pieces of Cheap Wedding Shoes different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability Cheap Wedding Shoes and traction, while Cheap Wedding Shoes the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: Cheap Wedding Shoes athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole Cheap Wedding Shoes to grip Cheap Wedding Shoes the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have Cheap Wedding Shoes another Cheap Wedding Shoes material Cheap Wedding Shoes for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where Cheap Wedding Shoes one puts Cheap Wedding Shoes the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole Cheap Wedding Shoes at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear Cheap Wedding Shoes part of a Cheap Wedding Shoes shoe is the heel. Its Cheap Wedding Shoes function is to support the heel Cheap Wedding Shoes of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion Cheap Wedding Shoes or to make the person look taller, or Cheap Wedding Shoes flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe Cheap Wedding Shoes has an upper part that helps hold the Cheap Wedding Shoes shoe onto the foot. In the simplest Cheap Wedding Shoes cases, such as sandals or Cheap Wedding Shoes flip flops, this may be Cheap Wedding Shoes nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed Cheap Wedding Shoes footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in Cheap Wedding Shoes a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent Cheap Wedding Shoes 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper Cheap Wedding Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping Cheap Wedding Shoes the shoe open and providing a smooth Cheap Wedding Shoes surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not Cheap Wedding Shoes wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used Cheap Wedding Shoes to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a Cheap Wedding Shoes rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they Cheap Wedding Shoes are not Cheap Wedding Shoes being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a Cheap Wedding Shoes wooden or leather piece which increases the area of Cheap Wedding Shoes ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from Cheap Wedding Shoes real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress Cheap Wedding Shoes and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and Cheap Wedding Shoes narrow Cheap Wedding Shoes sleek figure. Casual shoes Cheap Wedding Shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made Cheap Wedding Shoes of leather, enclosing Cheap Wedding Shoes most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. Cheap Wedding Shoes This upper Cheap Wedding Shoes part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the Cheap Wedding Shoes upper rising above the ankle is usually Cheap Wedding Shoes considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes Cheap Wedding Shoes or Cheap Wedding Shoes high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured Cheap Wedding Shoes by Cheap Wedding Shoes laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as Cheap Wedding Shoes "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are Cheap Wedding Shoes not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as Cheap Wedding Shoes the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less Cheap Wedding Shoes popular such as Cheap Wedding Shoes side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is Cheap Wedding Shoes possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the Cheap Wedding Shoes wing-tip, Cheap Wedding Shoes which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section Cheap Wedding Shoes by expanding Cheap Wedding Shoes it.
Further information Cheap Wedding Shoes might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may not Cheap Wedding Shoes be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found Cheap Wedding Shoes on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large Cheap Wedding Shoes variety of shoes available for women, in addition Cheap Wedding Shoes to most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad Cheap Wedding Shoes categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, Cheap Wedding Shoes are Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes with a Cheap Wedding Shoes very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High Cheap Wedding Shoes heels may be shoes with heels Cheap Wedding Shoes 2 inches (5 cm) Cheap Wedding Shoes or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are Cheap Wedding Shoes thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks Cheap Wedding Shoes like an Cheap Wedding Shoes athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty Cheap Wedding Shoes dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: Cheap Wedding Shoes open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the Cheap Wedding Shoes foot exposed to Cheap Wedding Shoes air. They are thus popular Cheap Wedding Shoes for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be Cheap Wedding Shoes cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and Cheap Wedding Shoes snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: Cheap Wedding Shoes For Cheap Wedding Shoes indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes Cheap Wedding Shoes often have less difference between the Cheap Wedding Shoes sexes than in dress shoes. In Cheap Wedding Shoes many cases these Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
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Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made Cheap Wedding Shoes out of rubber, Cheap Wedding Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good Cheap Wedding Shoes traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes: very similar to Cheap Wedding Shoes above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or Cheap Wedding Shoes metal cleats
A Cheap Wedding Shoes shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Cheap Wedding Shoes Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, Cheap Wedding Shoes American football, or baseball.
A Cheap Wedding Shoes shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and Cheap Wedding Shoes wet ground. Originally Cheap Wedding Shoes the spikes or Cheap Wedding Shoes "cleats" Cheap Wedding Shoes were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley Cheap Wedding Shoes floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, Cheap Wedding Shoes and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended Cheap Wedding Shoes rubber rand.
Hiking Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, Cheap Wedding Shoes to provide ankle support on uneven Cheap Wedding Shoes terrain, Cheap Wedding Shoes with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more Cheap Wedding Shoes flexible sole than the Cheap Wedding Shoes running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically Cheap Wedding Shoes called skates. They have various attachments for Cheap Wedding Shoes skating on the bottom of the shoe Cheap Wedding Shoes portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on Cheap Wedding Shoes a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to Womens Shoes Size interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer Cheap Wedding Shoes and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are Cheap Wedding Shoes made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort Cheap Wedding Shoes qualities, such Cheap Wedding Shoes as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially Cheap Wedding Shoes for those with problematic Cheap Wedding Shoes feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box that is Cheap Wedding Shoes stiffened with glue and a hardened Cheap Wedding Shoes sole so the dancer can Cheap Wedding Shoes stand on Cheap Wedding Shoes the tips Cheap Wedding Shoes of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, Cheap Wedding Shoes with thicker material under the ball and heel of Cheap Wedding Shoes the foot, and thinner and thus Cheap Wedding Shoes more Cheap Wedding Shoes flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, Cheap Wedding Shoes white, black, or Cheap Wedding Shoes pale tan, Cheap Wedding Shoes although they may be Cheap Wedding Shoes made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized Cheap Wedding Shoes sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) Cheap Wedding Shoes heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two Cheap Wedding Shoes categories for Cheap Wedding Shoes the two genres of dances as defined by Cheap Wedding Shoes the IDSF (International Cheap Wedding Shoes DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both Cheap Wedding Shoes are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher Cheap Wedding Shoes heels designed Cheap Wedding Shoes to throw the dancer's weight Cheap Wedding Shoes on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to Cheap Wedding Shoes 2-inch Cheap Wedding Shoes shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as Cheap Wedding Shoes dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker Cheap Wedding Shoes and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may Cheap Wedding Shoes come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They Cheap Wedding Shoes may be converted to tap shoes by attaching Cheap Wedding Shoes taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of Cheap Wedding Shoes a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From Cheap Wedding Shoes a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern Cheap Wedding Shoes pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn Cheap Wedding Shoes by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made Cheap Wedding Shoes from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are Cheap Wedding Shoes used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, Cheap Wedding Shoes etc. They are commonly Cheap Wedding Shoes used Cheap Wedding Shoes for protection in industrial settings, construction, Cheap Wedding Shoes mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may Cheap Wedding Shoes include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been Cheap Wedding Shoes worn for tens of Cheap Wedding Shoes thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, Cheap Wedding Shoes which are still worn today, are found as Cheap Wedding Shoes early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep Cheap Wedding Shoes a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the Cheap Wedding Shoes middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Cheap Wedding Shoes Some shoes Cheap Wedding Shoes are Cheap Wedding Shoes made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to Cheap Wedding Shoes fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: Cheap Wedding Shoes heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear Cheap Wedding Shoes out. Not Cheap Wedding Shoes all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. Cheap Wedding Shoes The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and Cheap Wedding Shoes turned into Cheap Wedding Shoes other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a shop Cheap Wedding Shoes is called Cheap Wedding Shoes a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of Cheap Wedding Shoes the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as Cheap Wedding Shoes well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of the Cheap Wedding Shoes United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their Cheap Wedding Shoes shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing Cheap Wedding Shoes dirt, mud Cheap Wedding Shoes or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may Cheap Wedding Shoes be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even Cheap Wedding Shoes accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an Cheap Wedding Shoes extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be Cheap Wedding Shoes placed over it. Cheap Wedding Shoes Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other Cheap Wedding Shoes by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai Cheap Wedding Shoes kicks are executed with Cheap Wedding Shoes the shin). |
