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