Shoe Styles

The History of Shoes: Shoe Making
Cameron Kippen, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA



According to Rossi (1997) there are eight basic footwear styles with the rest made up as variations on the basic themes. To comply with definition a shoe describes footwear with a mechanism capable of holding the foot in the heel of the shoe to facilitate support during push off. Hence there are two critical aspect of shoes i.e.. the band around the instep and the section corresponding to the human heel. To prevent unnecessary movement these need to be firm and fit the foot.

Style		Brief Description
Boot		Any footwear extending above the ankle. There are numerous designs and types for a variety of uses and made from a number of materials.
Clog		A thick soled wooden shoe sometimes with leather upper.
Lace Up	Oxford Shoe Derby Style	Any low cut shoe fastened by lacings, such as an Oxford or Blucher.

Style		Brief Description
Moccasin	Moccasin Imitation Moccasin	The term moccasin originates from the Algonquian language for foot covering. The Algonquians were any of several North American Indian tribes formerly inhabiting the region along the Ottawa River and near the northern tributaries of the St. Lawrence River. The oldest form of shoe dates back to 14,000 years and was thought to originate from the Mongol tribes who migrated along the Bering Strait into North America. Originally it described a simple one-piece hide, wrapped round the foot and held on with rawhide thongs. Later the Indians gradually stylised the moccasin by adding the moccasin plug, fringes and coloured beads, which depicted rank and occupation. Today moccasin shoes usually describe imitation moccasins, which had their origins in Norway. The Norwegian Peasant Slip-on (or weejun) was first imported to the US by tourists in the 1930s and later Gucci made a leather loafer in refined calfskin with a metal snaffle bit across the instep. Soon loafers were available in the spectator style (two colours). By the 50s Penny Loafers were all the rage with the campus Ivy League of the US. Made in ox blood they were also known as the Norwegian slipper. The Low vamp loafer was designed for females and was made from soft kid leather and cut low.
Mule		A backless shoe or slipper with or without a heel.

Style		Brief Discription
Sandal	Hieroglyphics Sport Sandals Casuals	Originally a slab of leather sole attached to the foot by thongs. Today any open shoe who's upper consists of any decorative or functional arrangement of straps. A sandal can be foot low to knee high, or with any heel height, designed for simple utility or casual wear or as a fashion shoe.

Monks		Similar to Derby Shoes but with a cross over section to fasten the quarters with a side buckle.
Pumps		Heeled shoes with low cut fronts and usually no fastening.
Sandals	Hieroglyphics Sport Sandals Casuals	Originally a slab of leather sole attached to the foot by thongs. Today any open shoe who's upper consists of any decorative or functional arrangement of straps. A sandal can be foot low to knee high, or with any heel height, designed for simple utility or casual wear or as a fashion shoe.