Clearing up the shoe confusion

I figured since I’m starting a blog about shoes I might as well start at the very beginning and discuss a few different types of shoes you get, there’s in reality way to many to list but I wanted to list the most common ones and of course those that tickles my fancy.

Shoes to me are the most important part of an outfit and I normally plan an outfit around a pair of shoes I feel like wearing on the day whether they're heels, flats, sandals, wedges or boots. It can make or break an outfit but my philosophy is, wear what you like and ROCK it.

This is a two part post – and the next one will be different types of heels you get J.

Now let's start with the different type of shoes

As mentioned these are but a few of the styles and types of shoes you get out there. You get your casual shoes and your dress shoes, but its blurred lines when wearing what you like. I have seen people wearing stilettos with shorts and ballet flats with evening gowns so it comes down to who feels comfortable in what.

In this post you will find examples of high heels, wedges and flats. Most women prefer high heels over flats as they can make you look more elegant. So the different types of shoes are:

Pumps

 

These are my favorite kind, I just love pumps I believe every woman should have a pair of high heels even if she favors sneakers or flats. They are shoes with low cut front, pointed toes either rounded or pointed, and heels of minimum 2 inches they make you feel more confident and they are oh so sexy

Sling backs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is similar to pumps, in having heels over 2inches and rounded or pointed toes, but the back part isn’t completely covered but instead there is a strap that crosses over the heel, leaving the rest of the heels showing and please ladies don’t wear sling backs with pantyhose – my pet peeve.

Wedges

Wedges come in a variety of heights and styles from sky high to barely there. They give women all the height and glamour of a heel but still provide comfort. They work well with dresses from short minis to floor skimming gowns and unlike stilettos you can wear it to an outdoor braai or the beach without worrying about the gossip girls branding you as high maintenance.
 
 Mary Jane shoes


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Jane’s are the US name for the general school shoes with closed toe, low or no heels and a strap and usually seen in black color worn by school going girls. It is considered formal when worn by smaller girls but informal when worn by older women, but you do get Mary Janes that have heels, those are the ones I favor

Espadrilles

 

 

Espadrilles are normally casual and flat but sometimes in wedge form too. They usually have a canvas or cotton upper fabric and a flexible sole made of rope. In Quebec however espadrille is usually the term for running shoes or sneakers.

Ballet flats

 

 

 

 

 

 

A light round-toed shoe with very flat heel for women or girls, resembling the type worn by dancers, but you also get them with a pointy toe, which some women prefer to wear to work with suits or something more corporate. Ballet pumps are perfect with everything from leggings and long sweaters to short skirts and jackets.

Mules

 

 

 

Mule, a French word is a style of shoe that is backless and often closed toed, mules can be any heel height from flat to high. The style is predominantly (but not exclusively) worn by women.

Fashion Boots



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion boots is a boot worn for reasons of style or fashion and are a staple in women’s winter wardrobes (rather than for hiking, riding or rainy days ECT.) They come in a wide variety of styles, from ankle to thigh-high length and are for casual, formal and business attire. Although boots were in popular style of women’s footwear in the nineteenth century they were not recognized as a fashion item until the 1960’s.

Platform Shoes / Clear Heels

Platform shoes are shoes with thick soles and come in a variety of styles most popular being clear heels with incredibly high heels and takes real skill to walk in. It has been in existence from the ancient times. They popularized the Lucite platform shoes, that have platform soles AND stiletto heels. They are the shoes much preferred by exotic dancers and women in the adult entertainment industry.



 

Sandals:

  

They are outdoor shoes used in places with humid climate or generally in summer season. The soles of the shoes are strapped to the wearer’s foot by straps generally over the feet and around the ankle. They have both low heels and high heels and are used because it helps keep the feet cool and dry.

Now that you know your shoes, keep an eye out for the post on getting to know the different types of heels.

XOXO
Shoe-aholic