The earliest known shoes date Fashion Shoes 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 Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact Fashion Shoes that the thickness of the bones Fashion Shoes of the toes (other than the big toe) Fashion Shoes decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results Fashion Shoes in greater bone growth before Fashion Shoes this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing Fashion Shoes a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The Fashion Shoes insole is the Fashion Shoes interior Fashion Shoes bottom Fashion Shoes of Fashion Shoes a shoe, which sits directly beneath the Fashion Shoes foot. Many Fashion Shoes shoes have Fashion Shoes removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual Iron Age Shoes or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made Fashion Shoes of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may Fashion Shoes comprise separate pieces of different materials. 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 Fashion Shoes spikes embedded in the outsole 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 Fashion Shoes that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some Fashion Shoes shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is Fashion Shoes to support Fashion Shoes the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be Fashion Shoes high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or Fashion Shoes upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps Fashion Shoes hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest Fashion Shoes cases, such as sandals Christmas Shoes Lyrics or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's Fashion Shoes shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part is Fashion Shoes often Fashion Shoes decorated or is made in a certain style to look Fashion Shoes attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper Fashion Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into Fashion Shoes a shoe by keeping the Fashion Shoes shoe open and providing a Fashion Shoes smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe Fashion Shoes 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, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or Leather Shoes galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, Fashion Shoes or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Fashion Shoes Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against Fashion Shoes 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 Fashion Shoes shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure Fashion Shoes 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, Fashion Shoes leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress Fashion Shoes shoes can be worn by either gender. The Fashion Shoes majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but Fashion Shoes not covering the ankles. This upper part Fashion Shoes of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made Fashion Shoes with openings or even itself Fashion Shoes consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made Fashion Shoes high to cover the ankles are also Fashion Shoes available; a shoe with the upper rising above the Fashion Shoes ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped Fashion Shoes shoe is secured Fashion Shoes 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: Fashion Shoes the vamp has 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 Fashion Shoes 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 two pieces of Fashion Shoes leather independently attached to the vamp; also Fashion Shoes known as "open lacing". Fashion Shoes In England, Fashion Shoes the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of Fashion Shoes lacing
Various Fashion Shoes other closings exist Fashion Shoes but are less popular Fashion Shoes such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on Fashion Shoes the Fashion Shoes vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. Fashion Shoes This is possibly the Fashion Shoes most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe Fashion Shoes is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which Fashion Shoes extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and Fashion Shoes blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
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Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available Fashion Shoes for women, in Fashion Shoes addition to most of the men's styles Fashion Shoes being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US Fashion Shoes and UK as Fashion Shoes ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are Fashion Shoes shoes Fashion Shoes with a very Sas Shoes For Women low heel and a relatively short Fashion Shoes vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are Fashion Shoes popular for warm-weather wear, and may Fashion Shoes be seen Fashion Shoes as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes Fashion Shoes with Fashion Shoes heels 2 inches Fashion Shoes (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see Fashion Shoes article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot Fashion Shoes and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making Cheerleading Shoes it Fashion Shoes 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 a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open Fashion Shoes shoes consisting of a Fashion Shoes sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather Fashion Shoes wear, because they let the foot be 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 Fashion Shoes 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 Fashion Shoes more casual. Laces, Fashion Shoes if present, are usually simple leather (often Fashion Shoes two-tone) with no frills. Often Fashion Shoes 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 Fashion Shoes ankle) frequently made of leather. Some Fashion Shoes are designed to be used in times of bad weather, Fashion Shoes or simply as an alternate style Fashion Shoes of casual or dress wear. Styles Fashion Shoes include rubber boots Fashion Shoes and snow boots, as well Fashion Shoes 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 shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis Fashion Shoes tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out Fashion Shoes of rubber, cloth, and/or Fashion Shoes plastic to be lightweight, Fashion Shoes flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
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Running shoes: very similar Fashion Shoes 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 Fashion Shoes molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, Fashion Shoes or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally Fashion Shoes the Fashion Shoes spikes or "cleats" were made of Fashion Shoes metal but Fashion Shoes replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge Fashion Shoes of Fashion Shoes each spike are much more common today (and are required Fashion Shoes on many golf courses since Fashion Shoes 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 floors. They are often rented or Fashion Shoes loaned at bowling Fashion Shoes alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for Fashion Shoes rock Fashion Shoes climbing. Fashion Shoes They typically have a close Fashion Shoes fit, little if any padding, and a Fashion Shoes smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended Fashion 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 Fashion Shoes 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 holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically Fashion Shoes 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 Fashion Shoes for attachment Fashion Shoes to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a Fashion Shoes skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with Fashion Shoes a metal Fashion Shoes or plastic cleat to interface with Fashion Shoes clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer Fashion Shoes and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are Fashion Shoes used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes Fashion Shoes that mimic bare Fashion Shoes 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 boxes and arch support are Fashion Shoes made especially Fashion Shoes for those Fashion Shoes with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet Fashion Shoes dancing. These have Fashion Shoes a toe Fashion Shoes box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand Fashion Shoes on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that Fashion Shoes are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole Fashion Shoes (i.e., Fashion Shoes split-sole). Fashion Shoes The sole is Fashion Shoes typically Fashion Shoes made Fashion Shoes 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 the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Fashion Shoes Ballet slippers Fashion Shoes are usually secured by elastics that Fashion Shoes 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, Fashion Shoes rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and Fashion Shoes a low (one inch or shorter) heel. Fashion Shoes They are secured to the Fashion Shoes foot by Fashion Shoes laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Fashion Shoes 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, Fashion Shoes usually Fashion Shoes made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to Fashion Shoes match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes Fashion Shoes have higher heels designed to Fashion Shoes throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes Fashion Shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Fashion Shoes Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to Wedge Shoes 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and Me Too Shoes a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which Fashion Shoes are usually made of leather, and often have one Fashion Shoes or more straps across the Fashion Shoes instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may be converted to tap Fashion Shoes shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are Fashion Shoes slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball Fashion Shoes of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh Fashion Shoes colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by Fashion Shoes acro dancers.
A foot thong, Fashion Shoes viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to Fashion Shoes protect the wearer, Fashion Shoes and Fashion Shoes provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy Life Stride Shoes leather uppers and non-leather Fashion Shoes outsoles. Sometimes Fashion Shoes they are used for Fashion Shoes uniforms or Fashion Shoes comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and Fashion Shoes soles or ankle guards.
Historical Fashion Shoes 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 found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep Think Shoes a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in Fashion Shoes the 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 Fashion Shoes 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 Fashion Shoes person wears them multiple Fashion Shoes times, the Fashion Shoes material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in Fashion Shoes the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) Fashion Shoes and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel Fashion Shoes replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not 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. The exception can be Fashion Shoes with Fashion Shoes most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other Fashion Shoes raw Red Satin Shoes materials. See Nike Grind as an Fashion Shoes example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes Fashion Shoes in Fashion Shoes a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most Fashion Shoes parts of Fashion Shoes the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts Fashion Shoes of the Middle East Fashion Shoes and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering Fashion Shoes a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or Fashion Shoes snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In Fashion Shoes the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, Fashion Shoes it is Fashion Shoes Spinning Shoes considered rude Fashion Shoes to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the Fashion Shoes legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme Fashion Shoes insult for the Fashion Shoes foot, socks, or Fashion Shoes shoes to touch someone's head or be Fashion Shoes placed over it. Although feet touching Fashion Shoes heads is an Fashion Shoes extremely Fashion Shoes rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Fashion Shoes Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
