When it comes to womens shoes there are some looks that never really go out of style. For the amateur shoe-buyer, or fanatic in the making, it is good to have an idea of what you are looking for by paying attention to some classic shoe styles. Starting with this guide will have you on your way to being a shoe connoisseur in no time!
The most famous of all famous womens shoe styles is the Pump. These classics have a traditional high heel which is high, but not too high, thin, but not too thin, and pointy, but not too pointy. These shoes have closed fronts, closed backs, and are traditionally low-cut.
In contrast a ballerina flat is a shoe that is heelless, and resembles a ballerina's slipper. This gives them their other commonly used name, the ballerina flat. A flat is a shoe that is closed both at the back and the front, and is low-cut on the top.
Mules and clogs are open at the back and closed at the toe, and feature an easy slip-on, slip-off style. Clogs, historically, were made of wood or another sturdy material, and are distinguishable from mules in their thick, platform heels.
The Spanish shoe, the espadrille, is constructed of woven rope or grass at the sole of the shoe, and are held to the foot with a canvas-style fabric upper.
French heels, of somewhat historic origin, can be traced back to King Louis XIV of France who stood at only 5 feet 3 inches height. His special style of shoe became a fashion trend, eventually landing firmly in womens-ware. These shoes are characterized by curved heels of medium height.
Made traditionally in Mexico, durable, woven Huaraches are sandals, today made of leather or rubber. These comfortable shoes are notably durable, and popular for their slip-on style.
When a shoe has a kitten heel, this means the heel is low, usually 2 inches or less, and is located in the middle of the heel portion of the shoe.
A Mary Jane style shoe is characterized by the strap, usually a buckle that crossed over the top of the foot. The toe of a Mary Jane is generally rounded, and the heel is either flat or a bulky platform.
Although they are traditionally men's shoes, Oxfords can technically be described as any formal shoe that laces up. Today it is common to see an Oxford-style womens shoe, which sometimes will have a high heel.
Peep-toe shoes and open-toe shoes are quite similar, however, the difference is that with a peep-toe shoe a very small hole exposes the toes in the front, while an open-toe shoe exposes the entire toe line.
Made popular during the seventies, platform shoes are any shoe that has a platform quality in the portion of the sole below the ball of the foot and toes.
When a shoe is referred to as a slide, it is a slip-on shoe that features open toes and open backs. Just below the toes the shoe will have a strap or straps designed to hold the shoe in place, however there are no toe or ankle straps on a true slide.
A sling-back shoe features a strap which wraps around the back of the heel or ankle, and helps to hold the shoe in place. A true sling-back has the strap connected to the base of the shoe, and not connected to any other feature.
A stacked heel gives the appearance of being constructed of stacked pieces of a material, usually wood, to create height.
Stiletto heels are very thin, tall, pointy and spiky high heels.
A wedge shoe is so-named for the wedged shape of the heel, which gradually rises from just behind the toe. Wedged heels come in many heights from nearly flat, to several inches in height.
The most famous of all famous womens shoe styles is the Pump. These classics have a traditional high heel which is high, but not too high, thin, but not too thin, and pointy, but not too pointy. These shoes have closed fronts, closed backs, and are traditionally low-cut.
In contrast a ballerina flat is a shoe that is heelless, and resembles a ballerina's slipper. This gives them their other commonly used name, the ballerina flat. A flat is a shoe that is closed both at the back and the front, and is low-cut on the top.
Mules and clogs are open at the back and closed at the toe, and feature an easy slip-on, slip-off style. Clogs, historically, were made of wood or another sturdy material, and are distinguishable from mules in their thick, platform heels.
The Spanish shoe, the espadrille, is constructed of woven rope or grass at the sole of the shoe, and are held to the foot with a canvas-style fabric upper.
French heels, of somewhat historic origin, can be traced back to King Louis XIV of France who stood at only 5 feet 3 inches height. His special style of shoe became a fashion trend, eventually landing firmly in womens-ware. These shoes are characterized by curved heels of medium height.
Made traditionally in Mexico, durable, woven Huaraches are sandals, today made of leather or rubber. These comfortable shoes are notably durable, and popular for their slip-on style.
When a shoe has a kitten heel, this means the heel is low, usually 2 inches or less, and is located in the middle of the heel portion of the shoe.
A Mary Jane style shoe is characterized by the strap, usually a buckle that crossed over the top of the foot. The toe of a Mary Jane is generally rounded, and the heel is either flat or a bulky platform.
Although they are traditionally men's shoes, Oxfords can technically be described as any formal shoe that laces up. Today it is common to see an Oxford-style womens shoe, which sometimes will have a high heel.
Peep-toe shoes and open-toe shoes are quite similar, however, the difference is that with a peep-toe shoe a very small hole exposes the toes in the front, while an open-toe shoe exposes the entire toe line.
Made popular during the seventies, platform shoes are any shoe that has a platform quality in the portion of the sole below the ball of the foot and toes.
When a shoe is referred to as a slide, it is a slip-on shoe that features open toes and open backs. Just below the toes the shoe will have a strap or straps designed to hold the shoe in place, however there are no toe or ankle straps on a true slide.
A sling-back shoe features a strap which wraps around the back of the heel or ankle, and helps to hold the shoe in place. A true sling-back has the strap connected to the base of the shoe, and not connected to any other feature.
A stacked heel gives the appearance of being constructed of stacked pieces of a material, usually wood, to create height.
Stiletto heels are very thin, tall, pointy and spiky high heels.
A wedge shoe is so-named for the wedged shape of the heel, which gradually rises from just behind the toe. Wedged heels come in many heights from nearly flat, to several inches in height.
About the Author:
Jayde Johannsen loves her shoes so much she launched the Women's Shoes website to help others who share the same passion. Currently she is looking for women's running shoes.