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