Types Of Shoes: Can you imagine your life without a comfortable pair of shoes? I think no one can. Shoes have become an essential part of everyone’s life. Shoes not only heal our legs but help protect our feet from dust, harsh UV rays, and debris. It makes you feel confident and smart. Did you know shoes symbolize your personality and status? Yes, don’t be surprised, but it is true. During earlier times, slaves walked barefoot, and kings and other higher positioned officers wore shoes made of leather and other materials. Thus, shoes have their significance. Read the article and get to know the types of shoes.
Types of Shoes
Do you agree with me when I say that every occasion has a unique type of shoe? Men, women, children, old age people all have different choices of shoes. Today people can choose from a number of options that best suit them. Let us start categorizing shoes into different lists like casual, athletic, boyfriend, office going shoes, party shoes, and many more.
Casual Shoes
Casual shoes are those you can wear anytime while in the house, while going to the grocery store and meeting a friend for coffee. These are smart-looking shoes that go well with any attire and make you look decent. While categorizing casual shoes, you can include sneakers, bluchers, Borges, loafers, boots, and much more.
Sneakers: Sneakers are shoes with rubber soles and are very comfortable for walking, running, and daily wear. It makes no noise. Thus, it is called sneakers. These are pairs of shoes that you can wear on any occasion. There are different types of sneakers: basic ones include Vans and Converse that are made using canvas. These types of sneakers are pocket-friendly and are available in primary colours. On the other hand, luxury sneakers are leather shoes that are really expensive as they come from top brands like Gucci and Tom Ford. Nike, Adidas all fall under the sports section. They are comfortable, casual, and outstanding for casual day-outs.
Boots: boots are long leather shoes that make you look smart, and today it is one of the most demanding shoes for men and women both. Boots help protect the feet, the ankle, and a few manage to cover the whole leg. Tall boots are liked by women and especially during winters. They not only look stylish but it helps one to look trendy. There are many types of boots like rigger, dress, fashion, cowboy, and Chelsea boots. American combat boots came into the picture after 1816. The commandos of the civil war wore it. Today people prefer to wear it while going to the office and professional parties. Dress boots are familiar with women as they prefer wearing casual and colourful boots that go well with the dress. Did you know Jack Armstrong’s Cosmic Cowboy Boots cost $6 million?
Formal Shoes
classic style shoes that make you look professional and classy fall under the list of formal shoes. Formal shoes are elegant and add a touch of confidence and make a person wearing them look sophisticated. You will find formal shoes in colours like black, brown and white. But with the changing times, companies are experimenting with colours like teal blue, dark blue, mustard, and unique shades of brown. Derby’s, Borges, oxford, loafers all fall under the category of formal shoes. Oxford is a formal leather shoe also popular as Balmoral shoes named after the queen of Scotland. It has closed lacing style shoes with round toes and a cap. For meetings, business parties these shoes are the best. Oxford shoes resemble Derby’s. They only differ in the lacing style. This is the reason it is known as front open style shoes. Brogues shoes are again formal shoes with perforations. You can wear it both as casual as well as professional shoes. Some formal shoes don’t have straps that are the reason they are known as Monk Strap shoes. The monks of Europe wore these shoes, and this is how they became famous. Wear it with a suit, denim and for the office. Monk strap shoes come with single and double strap both.
Sports Shoes
There are different types of sports, and every sport has a unique shoe attached to it. For example, cleats are helpful for those who play soccer. These shoes have a rubber sole with a hard rubber bolt-like design that does not let the player slip on slippery floors. It provides an ideal grip while playing soccer and is also called Stud shoes. It is useful for baseball too. Sneakers fall under sports shoes. Shoes like gym shoes, running shoes, walking. Athletic or sport shoes have cushioned padding that helps the players get a nice cushioned feel while walking, running, and playing sports. Walking shoes have rocker soles that help to shift the weight onto the heels rather than the toes. The front portion of the shoe is spacious and provides a relaxing effect on the feet and the heel. Minimalist shoes are best for those runners who have a habit of running barefoot. These are adjustable, flexible to wear, and have a five-finger design making them perfectly fit on any runner’s feet.
Unisex Shoes
With the changing trends and fashion like clothing shoes also change. Shoes that are meant for both men and women are considered unisex shoes. Flip-tops, loafers, crocs, boots, boat shoes are all worn by both men and women.
- Flip-tops: today, funky flip-tops are present in every shoe store. Both men and women love it. Irrespective of the gender constraint, anyone can wear these slippers. These are not only comfortable but are great for casual usage. The V strap looks excellent on all gender types. You can call them casual sandals and also slippers.
- Loafers: Another comfortable and casual pair of shoes are the loafers. It fits both men and women. Wear it on a professional basis as well as an everyday basis. It does not have laces; thus, you need not worry about tying lace or tripping due to open laces. You can call them slip-on and easy-to-wear shoes.
- Boat shoes: usually made using canvas or leather, these shoes are known as deck shoes. Many call it topsiders. It covers the toes and is usually water and stain-proof. The sides are hand-stitched with a herringbone pattern design carved on them. They come with and without laces.
Women Shoes
Women love buying shoes of different colours and for other occasions. You can never satisfy a woman with one or two pairs of shoes. No matter how much they possess, they will always want more. A few common shoes popular amongst women are heels, pumps, stilettos, wedges, gladiator sandals, boots, ballet shoes, and more.
- Ballet flats – The ballet shoes are the inspiration for Ballet flat shoes. These comfortable pairs of shoes are easy to wear, comfortable and are usually worn in warm weather. Anyone of any age can wear a Ballet flat shoe.
- Pumps: These shoes look classy and stylish with a closed-toe design and a 4-inch heel. It is made using leather, canvas, and other materials. It is perfect for short-heighted women who can look really tall after wearing pumps. The heel can vary from half an inch to almost four inches.
- Platforms – As the name suggests, these shoes are simple flat shoes also popular as disco shoes. With a thick overall sole, these shoes help distribute the body weight equally. People of Greece in ancient times symbolized these shoes with prosperity and wealth. Today it is a fashion statement and the love of every woman.
- Wedges– Wedge is a piece of wood, and from here, this shoe got its name. The heel is lower in the front, and as it goes back, the heel increases. You can call it a scandal.
- Mules: mules are backless and cover the toes. These sandals are comfortable though they have heels; walking is easy with mules. Women can wear it casually, at a party, and even professionally. They are available in various colour patterns.
- Heels: there are almost 25 types of heels available, and a few are short heels, high heels, and medium heels. All kinds of heels make women look smart and presentable. Team it up with lovely attire to get a complete look. Low heels are around 3 inches, and anyone can wear them comfortably. Kitten heels are heels less than 1.5 high and are comfortable to wear on any occasion. Heels with pointed heels up to five inches are known as high-heel or stilettos.
Conclusion on Types of Shoes
Shoes are the last thing we wear after dressing up, and the first thing noticed from our wardrobe. But did you know there are almost 64 different types of shoes that people wear? I know it’s surprising. But it is true. With the changing times, the shoes, their styles, pattern, looks have also changed. People wear shoes as a style statement. But the best pair of shoes are those which are comfortable and fit perfectly on our feet. I hope the article above helps you know about different types of shoes and their uses.