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