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