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Argument

Why Ive chosen this subject?

In my point of view shoes are very important in a woman life, but also
they are important for man.
Firstly, shoes are the first things created to protect our feets, since
antiquity. In those times people used animal skin to create shoes, because
their feets were crushed by stones and they couldnt longer walk without
something on their feets.
Secondly, shoes help you look charming at important eveniments, they
are part of your outfits at parties or everyday life and make you leave a
pleasant impression.
Shoes make women feel more confident, beautiful, thats why they are
so important for them.
Thirdly, you cand buy a woman bunches of flowers , but if you buy her
a pair of shoes, she will appreciate this gift more than any gifts that you
could buy her, because WOMEN LOVE SHOES!
In conclusion , Ive chosen to talk about this subject, because women
need to know how showed up shoes,in what form they appeared and for
what were they used in ancient times.

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1. History
1.1. Antiquity

PREHISTORIC:
No one knows when the first shoes were worn for there are no records
of such things so we can only make assumptions based on relics and
primitive cave paintings. For sure, the development of some sort of
covering was one of the first things primitive man did considering all of that
outdoor activity such as haunting which required traipsing over jagged rocks
and burning sand. Never mind the winter. So the first shoes were
developed
quite early and they were most likely bag-like wrappings made of fur or
skins. Cave Paintings (c.8000 BCE) show these foot bags and some even
show images of shoes that look like fur boots.
The earliest European shoes discovered were that of the Ice Man found in
the Alps which date all the way back to 3300 BCE and were made of
rawhide bearskin and woven plant fibers.

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EGYPT:
Sandals are believed to be the first crafted footwear which is not
surprising considering their simplicity. They were plain, practical and
consisted of only two parts: The sole and the thong. The first flip flop so
to speak. Except these first sandals werent made of colorful plastic or
rubber obviously, they had to be made from whatever was available. Which
wasnt much.
The first sandals were basically made from a footprint in wet sand.
Braided papyrus was then molded into the sole prints and then they were
attached to the foot by palm fiber by way of the thong. But once the
Egyptians learned to tan hide, sandals were made from leather and these
early leather shoes were not made to accommodate right and left fittings,
instead constructed exactly the same giving no allowance for the big toe or
instep which I imagine made walking a bit awkward to say the least.
In ancient Egypt, the sandal was the sign of power and rank, because
they were considered a luxury and not everyone could afford good ones.
Which makes sense. But those Egyptians went so far as to allocate class
by color. Gold and jeweled sandals were for the king and his court,pastels
for dignitaries with red and yellow being the only colors allowed for the
middle class. What about the poor and the slaves? They went barefoot, of
course. These pointed shoes began to show up around 1234-1250 and were
made from fabric or soft leather. Who knows why pointed toes were
developed for there seemed to be no function.

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Egyptian
Sandals

GREECE:
The Greeks were known for their sandals, right? They excelled at
shoemaking and by 400 BC
shoe and sandal making attained a high degree of sophistication and
peoples obsession with footwear accelerated to a point where social rules
came into play regarding them.
Like shoes were only worn outdoors, the exact opposite of todays no
shirt, no shoes, no
service policies. And certain shoes were for certain occupations. Soldiers
wore this type, brides-to-be wore another, priest one type, actors another;
each type designated and accounted for.

Greek
Sandal

ROME:
While the Greeks were perfecting their elegance and beauty,
Rome had their mind set on perfecting the conquest, which I think I already
mentioned several times. The Roman Empire was ever growing and the
soldiers uniform had to be practical and steadfast, shoes included. As a
result, shoes were developed more durable and sturdy. Although Roman

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shoes were more practical and less elegant than that of Greece they shared
the same class distinction thing with the styles and colors. Red was
restricted to the emperor only, while black and white was designated for
senators and pale colors for the wealthy. And again the slaves and poor
were barefooted or wore the plainest of sandals.

Roman
Sandal

A Roman would never enter a house without removing his shoes so

outdoor footwear was
quickly replaced by banqueting
slippers called soleae which were carried by a servant.

Roman SOLEAE

1.2. Middle Ages

All that sophistication developed by the Greeks and Romans got lost
somewhere along the line.
Some odd shoe fashions developed in the middle ages. One being the
Poulaine or Crakow shoe which began to appear in western Europe in the 12
century. Rumor has it that they were developed and populaarized by Count
Fuld of Anjou who needed to cover up some kind of deformity but it is more
likely a style adopted by the Crusaders who were influenced by the

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traditional pointed toed footwear found in the near/middle east. So again

we are back to the pointed toes.

Poulaine shoe

Pointed toes are hardly odd, but the fact that they
became hugely exaggerated is. The toe gradually became longer and longer
to the point of absurdity for some were so long it was difficult to walk.
The pointed toe fad disappeared around 1460-70 being suddenly
replaced by a new shoe fad called Ducks Bill shoes (also called Bears Claw)
during the reign of Francois I. Ducks Bill shoes were made of silk, brocade
or velvet and were heavily padded, puffed and embroidered with the upper
part slashed so that colored hose showed through.
None of the shoes stated above were very good for snow or muck or
the average dirty street so another type of shoe was developed called
thePatten. Pattens were shoes to be worn over other shoes which raised the
feet up over the muck and gunk. They consisted of a very thick sole made
of wood or leather with leather straps that you stuck your feet into. The first
clogs were also developed around this time which was probably a variation
of pattens of some sort.

Wooden
pattens

1.3. 1500s-1980s
o 1500s
Women basically wore the same type of shoes as the previous century
with the added interest of a new crazy shoe fad that originated in Venice

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and quickly spread to the rest of Europe. Like the patten, the chopinewas a
type of over shoe with a raised platform sole meant to be worn over other
shoes to give the wearer height. And similar to other shoe fashions, they
fell pray to exaggeration whereas the soles got higher and higher until some
were up to thirty inches.
Chopines impeded movement and movement was required for such sin
producing activities such as dancing. And if you cant move, you cant
dance.
The Italian pantofle and the Venetian heeled slipper replaced those
pesky fat toed, so popular during the previous era.
o 1600s
Slippe
In the 1660s women to pay more attention to their shoes and no
rs
longer wanted the same shape as mens. A variety of exquisitely
embroidered shoes in silk, satin and velvet appeared trimmed with lace
which fell in a deep flounce over the foot. Slippers
had
heels often measuring six inches made of colored
satin
to match the costume.
Small feet were considered the in thing, so
Slippe
naturally women tried to make them smaller by
rs
binding them with their own hair. This along with
the tight lacing made her so uncomfortable she
fainted. It's no wonder we never took over the world.

all
often

o 1700s
High heels were a must, along with rich brocades, embroidered silks
and painted leathers. Large showy buckles topped them off along with
metallic braid in silver and gold which could be transferred from one shoe to
the next depending.
After the French Revolution in 1792, shoes styles changed
dramatically.
Heels disappeared and expensive silks were replaced with more affordable
and practical leathers.
o 1800s

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No more heel. No more discomfort. No more squashing toes into rigid

up turned points. Let's talk, slippers. Sure they still had pointed toes but
they were made of soft materials and came in romantic pastels. Lavender,
pink and robin's egg blue were amongst the colors to choose from.
Later in the century as the stay was reeling it's ugly head once again, shoes
hardened up as well and because they were always hidden under a a dress
there wasn't much attention paid to them. And when there is low demand,
there usually lacks variety. In fact, there were only three styles of shoes to
choose from in the later part of the century: the boot, the clog and the
dress slipper.
o 1900s
As usual, womens legs were never shown and feet were only
glimpsed once in a while when sitting down so
stockings and hose werent high up on the fashion must
haves.
The wealthy women wore handmade shoes and boots
with pointed toes and a two or three inch heel.
o 1910s
Again with the tiny feet. During this decade ladies began fussing about
narrow feet believing that it was a sign of good breeding and gentility. Both
men and women took to wearing shoes that were a full size too small and
some (obviously insane) women even had their little toes removed for
maximum narrow-ability. Boots were typically worn during the day while the
court shoe with a small Louis heel were worn in the evenings.
o 1920s
Womens shoes became lighter and finer with a pointed toe and the
delightful addition of straps.

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Bar shoes became all the rage for they didnt fall off your foot while dancing
the night away. T-straps were popular too for the same reason and were
worn primarily with afternoon gowns. In the twenties, shoes were all about
the strap.

Men shoes:
Black patent-leather shoes were popular during this era and often
appeared with formal evening wear. Casual clothing demanded two-tone
shoes in white and tan, or white and black. Fringed tongues on Oxfords and
brogues were seen frequently. Lace-up style shoes were most in demand.

o 1930s
Surprisingly, a variety of shoe styles were available during those
trying times; rounded toes with thick heels; pumps, flats, ankle straps with
moderate heels; slip-ons, lace ups, buckled; spectator and two tones.
The new fad for outdoor activities brought sandals back into fashion. We
havent seen the sandal since Rome! They started out as beachwear then
developed into party and eveningwear. Black was most common for day
shoes but wine, maroon, and navy were also seen. For evening plain court
shoes were seen gadding about with asymmetrical trims, peep toes and
sling back heels.
Mens shoes were as sober in color as the times.
Blacks, browns and tans. Two toned Brogues were all the
rage, quite possibly because they were a favorite style of
the Fred Astaire.
Boots were no where to be found unless you were a
laborer and the loafer made its first appearance and has
been with us ever since.
o 1940s
When leather became restricted for military use, every imaginable
material was

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incorporated for shoes with reptile skins and mesh as the most successful
substitutes. US rationing also regulated heel heights which were limited to
one inch along with only six color choices.

1940's Reptile
Skinned Pump

o 1950s
The race to achieve
was foremost

the slimmest possible heel

in shoe design. Gone

chunky styles and in

were the prior decade's

came

the new light pumps with cut toes, curved vamps and enticing v shapes
with molded heels.

o 1960s
It's hard to discribe a distinct shoe look for the
60s. Conservative women stuck with the stiletto but slip
on shoes with clunky heels were also popular to wear
with pants. Of course, there were boots to go along with
the mini skirt. First they were loose plastic or plain leather but eventfully

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they morphed into clinging treated textiles. Go-go boots were the must
have and came in every different height imaginable.

o 1970s
High heels, flats, platforms, wedges, clogs and
stilettos.
o 1980s
To go along nicely with the serious power suit one
had to have serious shoes. Shoes that mean business.
Shoes that screamed out professional with every step
you took. Hence the sling back court shoe with the
pointed toe and slender heel.

80sMens
Discoshoes :
Pumps
To go along with their conservative-land
wardrobe,men wore
conservative and classic shoes. No surprise

there!

Brown Laced

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2.Parts of modern shoes

2.1. Sole
The bottom of a shoe, the part that is intended to come in repeated
contact with the ground, is called the sole. Soles have been made from
plant fibers, leather, wood, rubber, synthetics, plastic, and various
combinations of these materials. Soles can be simple, a single material in a
single layer, or they can be complex with multiple structures or layers and
materials.

2.1.1. Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath
the foot under the footbed (also known as sock liner). The purpose of insole
is to attach to the lasting margin of the upper, which is wrapped around
the last during the closing of the shoe during the lasting operation. Insoles
are usually made of cellulosic paper board or synthetic non woven insole
board. Many shoes have removable and replaceable footbeds. Extra
cushioning is often added for comfort (to control the shape, moisture, or
smell of the shoe)
or health reasons (to help deal with defects in the natural shape of the foot
or positioning of the foot during standing or walking). Basically, this is a
main part of shoes which can absorb foot sweat. Footbeds should typically
use foam cushioning sheets like latex and EVA, which provide good wearing
comfort of the shoe.
2.1.2. Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes
often have leather or resin rubber outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes
have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic material like
Polyurethane. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may be an
assembly of separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole
has a rubber plate for durability and traction, while the front is leather for
style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic

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or so called cleated shoes like soccer, rugby, baseball and golf shoes have
spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground.
2.1.3. Mid-sole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there
for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another
material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel of the foot, where
one puts the most pressure down.
Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes.
Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.

2.1.4. Heel
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the
heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the
shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or
flat for a more practical and comfortable use.

2.2. Vamp (upper)

Every shoe has an 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. Closed footwear, such as
boots, trainers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This
part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive.

2.3. Lateral and medial

The outside part of the shoe is referred to as the lateral and the inside
facing part of the shoe is the medial. This can be in reference to either the
outsole or the vamp.

2.4. Welt

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A welt is a strip of leather, rubber, or plastic that is stitched to the

upper and insole of a shoe, as an attach-point for the sole. The space
enclosed by the welt is then filled with cork or some other filler material
(usually either porous or perforated, for breathability), and the outsole is
both cemented and stitched to the welt.

Parts of a modern
shoe

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3. Accessories

Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe
open and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help
maintain the shoe's shape.
Heel grip: used to prevent the shoe from slipping on the heel if the fit is
not perfect
Foam tap: a small foam pad placed under the ball of the foot to push
the foot up and back if the shoe is too loose.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve
appearance and glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply
polish to shoes.
Shoe
tree
Heel
grips
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 reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner
linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are
not being worn.

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Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing
discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of
ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a sy stem used to secure shoes.
Shoe
polish

Shoel
aces
4. Types of shoes

4.1. Dress and casual

Dress shoes are characterized by smooth and
supple leather uppers,
leather soles, and narrow
sleek figure. Casual 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 toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers 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 hightopped 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.
Men
dress

Casual
shoes

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4.1.1. Mens
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
o Oxfords (also referred as "Balmorals"): the vamp has a V-shaped slit to
which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". The word
"Oxford" is sometimes used by American clothing companies to market
shoes that are not Balmorals,such as Blchers.
o Blchers (American), Derbys (British): the laces are tied to two pieces
of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open
lacing" and is a step down in dressiness.
o Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
o Slip-ons: There are no lacings or fastenings. The popular loafers are
part of this category, as well as less popular styles, such as elasticsided shoes.
o Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:

o Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the

vamp.
o Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is
possibly the most popular decoration.
o 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 found in both balmoral and blucher styles, but
are considered slightly less formal.
Formal high-end men's shoes are manufactured by several companies
around the world, most notably in England, France, Italy, and America.
Notable British brands include: Church's English Shoes (est. 1873), John

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Lobb Bootmaker (est. 1849),Edward Green Shoes (est. 1890), and

Crockett & Jones (est. 1879). Both John Lobb and Edward Green
offer bespoke products. In between the world wars, men's footware
received significant innovation and design, led
by cobblers and cordwainers in London's West End.The most notable
French product is made by J.M. Weston.Armani of Italy was a major
influence on
men's shoe design in the 1960s-1980s until they returned to the larger
proportions of its forebears, the welt-constructed Anglo-American dress
shoe originally created in Edwardian England. Another well-known Italian
company is Salvatore Ferragamo Italia S.p.A.. The remaining elite
American companies are Allen Edmonds and Alden Shoe Company.
Alden,located in New England, specializes in genuine shell cordovan
leather from the only remaining horse tannery in America (Chicago) and is
completely manufactured in America,whereas
Allen Edmonds, of Wisconsin, is a larger
company that outsources some of its
production.
Formal
men shoes

4.1.2. Womens

There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition

to most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some
broad categories are:
o High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heels, typically
2 inches (5 cm) or more above the toes, commonly worn by women for
formal occasions or social outings. Variants include kitten

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heels (typically 1-2 inches high) and stilletto heels (with a very
narrow heel post) and wedge heels (with a wedge-shaped sole rather
than a heel post).
o Sneaker boot or sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic
shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress
shoe.
o Mules are shoes or slippers with no fitting around the heel (i.e. they
are backless)
o Slingbacks are shoes which are secured by a strap behind the heel,
rather than over the top of the foot.
o Ballet flats, known in the UK as ballerinas, ballet
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.
o Court shoes, known in the US as pumps,
are typically high-heeled, slip-on dress
shoes.

Sneaker
pump

High-heel
pump

Ballet
flats

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4.2. Unisex

o Clog
o Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
o Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel
and usually made of leather.
o Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving
much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for warmweather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed
shoe would.
o Espadrilles are casual flat warm-weather shoes of a style which
originated in the Pyrenees. They usually have a cotton or canvas upper
and a flexible sole of rope or rubber. There are
high-heeled versions for women.
Slippe
rs

o Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with

pajamas.

o Vibram FiveFingers, meant to simulate the

"natural" experience of going barefoot, while protecting the foot
o Sneakers or Canvas shoes
o Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over
the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
o Slip-on shoe: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels,
buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
o Boat shoes, also known as "deck shoes": similar to a loafer, but more
casual. Laces are usually simple leather with no frills. Typically made of
leather and featuring a soft white sole to avoid marring or scratching a
boat deck. The first boat shoe was invented in 1935 by Paul Sperry.
o Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather.
Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an

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alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and
snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.

Saddle
shoes
4.3. Athletic
o Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often
have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many
cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be
more on function than style.
o Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on
cushioning.
o Track spikes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
o Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs.
Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American
football, or baseball.
o Golf shoes: with "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 prongs
distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more
common today (and are required on many golf courses since they
cause less damage to the greens).
o 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.
o Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have
a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an
extended rubber rand.
o Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with
many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with
extra large traction
on the sole.

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o Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter
in weight than the hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be water
proof.
o Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments
for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
o Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment
to the ski.
o Skate shoes: specifically designed for use in Skateboarding, the shoes
are manufactured with flat soles as to allow a skateboarder to have
better grip when riding a skateboard. They are very wide and have
extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
o Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface
with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer
and support the foot.
o Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate
climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in
winter.
o Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while
providing additional traction and protection.
4.4 Ortophedic
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and
anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds,
wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those with
problematic feet.
4.5 Dance
Pointe shoes are designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box
that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand
on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons
that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes are soft, highly pliable shoes made of canvas or leather,
with either continuous or two-part sole (also called split-sole). The sole

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is typically made of leather, with thicker material under

the ball and heel of the foot, 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 made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Ghillies are soft shoes that are used in Irish dance, Scottish country
dance, and highland dance.
Jazz shoes typically have a two-part rubberized sole
(also called split-sole) to 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 and Flamenco shoes are used for dancing
the tango or flamenco.
Ballroom shoes fall into two categories: Ballroom and Latin American.
Both are characterised by suede soles. Men's ballroom shoes are
typically lace-ups with one-inch heels and patent leather uppers.
Ladies' ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with two-inch heels,
made of fabric that can be colored to match the dancer's dress. In
contrast to the low Ballroom heel, which evenly distributes weight
across the foot, Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to
shift weight onto the toes. Latin shoes are also more flexible than
ballroom shoes. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5- to 2-inch high,
shaped heels, while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels.
Ladies shoes are typically open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a
combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe,with a reinforced rubber
toe.

Dance
sneakers

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Character shoes have a one to three inch heel, which is usually made
of leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep to
secure it to the foot. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hardsoled varieties. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.

Foot thongs are known by various names

depending on the manufacturer, including dance
paws, foot undies, and foot paws. They are slipon, 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 a dancer the
appearance of having bare feet.

Tap shoes have metal plates mounted to the bottoms of the toe and
heel. The metal plates, which are known as taps, make a loud sound
when struck against a hard performance surface. Tap shoes, which are
used in tap dancing, may be made from any style of shoe to which taps
can be attached.

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4.6 Work
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer,
and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather
uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or
comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are
commonly used for protection in industrial settings ,construction, Mining,
and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and
soles
or ankle guards.
4.7 Minimalist
Minimalist shoes are shoes that are minimal in
design so that the advantages of walking/running
barefoot are incorporated, yet without dropping
additional protection of the foot from sharp
objects. Minimalist shoes include: Vibram
FiveFingers, MBT, Nike Free.

4.8

Historical

Shoes of the past include

o Turn-shoes: a method by which the shoe is constructed inside-out,
wetted, and turned the finished side of the leather flipped to the
outside. Such footwear was common from the Middle-ages until
modern shoes were developed in the Tudor era. Because of their
construction, turn-shoes cannot simply be re-soled, unlike most
modern shoe types.
o Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as
early as the 14th century.
o Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry
outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even
into the early 20th century. Peoples such as the Dutch, Flemings, and
some French carved similar, fully enclosed wooden shoes.

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o Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 15th

century.

o Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.

Poulain
e

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5. Biodegradability
Due to the appearance of new man-made materials, shoes have
become increasingly less biodegradable. Currently, mass-produced shoes
generally require 1000 years to degrade, and/or may not degrade at all,
depending on the types of material employed in the production of the shoe.
Recently some shoemakers have picked up on the issue and are beginning
to produce shoes made entirely from degradable materials, such as Nike
Considered.
6.

Maintenance

o 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 is said to have broken in the shoes.
o Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and
appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
o Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are
designed to enable this.
o Sanitization: the inside of shoes can be sanitized with germicidal shoe
trees or other cleansing methods to prevent the growth of
microorganisms such as odor-causing bacteria or fungi. [12]
o Sole replacement: soles can also wear out. Not all shoes can have their
soles replaced.
o Shoelace replacement: shoelaces can sometimes be damaged or
destroyed necessitating the replacement of the laces.
o When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid
waste and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic
sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials.
See Nike Grind as an example.
o A person who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.

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7. Sizes

A shoe size is an alphanumerical indication of the fitting size of

a shoe for a person.
Often it just consists of a number indicating the length because many
shoemakers only provide a standard width for economic reasons.
There are several different shoe-size systems that are used worldwide.
These systems differ in what they measure, what unit of measurement they
use, and where the size 0 (or 1) is positioned. Only a few systems also take
the width of the feet into account. Some regions use different shoe-size
systems for different types of shoes (e.g., men's, women's, children's, sport,
or safety shoes).
7.1. Length unit
Sizing systems also differ in what units of measurement they use. This
also results in different increments between shoe sizes because
usually, only "full" or "half" sizes are made.
The following length units are commonly used today to define shoe-size
systems:
o The Paris point equals to centimetres (6.6 mm or ~0.26 in). Usually,
only full sizes are made,resulting in an increment of centimetre. This
unit is commonly used in Continental
Europe.

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o The barleycorn is an old English unit that equals to inch (8.46 mm).
Half sizes are commonly made, resulting in an increment of 16inch
(4.23 mm). This archaic measure is still the basis for current UK and
U.S. shoe sizes, with the largest shoe size taken as thirteen inches (a
size 13) and then counting backwards in barleycorn units
o Further, metric measurements in centimetres (cm) or millimetres (mm)
are used. The increment is usually 0.5 cm (5 mm or ~0.20 in), which is
between the step size of the Parisian and the English system. It is used
with the international Mondopoint system and with the Asian system.
Due to the different units of measurements, converting between different
sizing systems results in round-off errors as well as unusual sizes such as
"10".
7.2. Common sizing systems
Mondopoint
The International Standard is ISO 9407:1991, "Shoe sizes
Mondopoint system of sizing and
marking",which recommends a shoe-size system known as Mondopoint.
It is based on the mean foot length and width for which the shoe is suitable,
measured in millimetres. A shoe size of 280/110 indicates a mean foot
length of 280 millimetres (11 in) and width of 110 millimetres (4.3 in).
Because Mondopoint also takes the foot width into account, it allows
for better fitting than most other systems. It is, therefore, used byNATO and
other military services. Mondopoint is also used for ski boots.
European standard EN 13402, used also for clothes, recommends
instead that shoes be labelled with the interval of foot lengths for which
they are suitable, measured in centimetres.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Shoe size in the United Kingdom (British size) is based on the length of
the last,
measured in barleycorn (approx 1/3 inch) starting from the smallest
practical size, which is

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size zero. It is not formally standardised.

United States and Canada
In North America, there are different systems that are used
concurrently. The size
indications are usually similar but not exactly equivalent especially with
athletic shoes at
extreme sizes.
Asia
The Asian system is based on metric measurements and standardised
as JIS S
5037:1998, CNS 4800, S 1093, or KS M 6681. Foot length and girth are
taken into account.[9]
The foot length is indicated in centimetres; an increment of 5 mm is
used. This system was
also used in the GDR.
The length is followed by designators for girth (A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE,
EEEE, F, G), which is
taken from a table indexed to girth and length. There are different tables for
men's,
women's, and children's (less than 12 years of age) shoes. The tables also
include the width
as supplemental indications. Not all designators are used for all genders and
in all countries.
For example, the largest girth for women in China is EEEE, whereas in Japan,
it is F.

8. Important brands of athletic shoes

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8.1. Nike
Nike is a major publicly traded clothing, footwear, sportswear, and
equipment supplier
based in the United States.
The company was founded on January 25, 1964 as Blue Ribbon
Sports by Bill
Bowerman and Philip Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30,
1978. The company
takes its name from Nike (Greek )the Greek goddess of victory.
Nikes
Logo
8.2. Adidas
Adidas AG is a sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of
the Adidas Group,
which consists of the Reebok sportswear company and Rockport.
Adidas was founded in 1948 by Adolf Dassler, following the split
of Gebrder Dassler
Schuhfabrik between him and his older brother Rudolf. Rudolf later
established Puma, which
was the early rival of Adidas. Registered in 1949, Adidas is currently based
in Germany,
along with Puma.
Adidass
current logo

8.3. Puma
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major
German multinational company that
producesathletic shoes, footwear, and other sportswear. The company was
formed in 1924
by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler. The relationship between the two brothers
deteriorated until
the two agreed to split in 1948, forming two separate
entities, Adidas andPuma. Puma is currently based in Germany.
Pumas
Logo

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8.4. Lacoste
Lacoste is a French apparel company founded in 1933 that sells highend clothing, footwear,perfume, leather goods, watches, eyewear, and most
famously
tennis shirts. In recent years, Lacoste has introduced a home line of
sheeting and towels.
The company can be recognized by its green crocodile logo.
Lacostes
Logo
9. Conclusion

The pairs of shoes are used from antiquity to the present, indeed
nowadays they have become an important accessory for women and a
necessity for men,
Shoes have evolved very much, from bells made from animal skin to
belts or accessories made from artificial materials or from different animals
skins. They allow help you to express your persona in a great way. People
can judge your personality and your taste seeing the kind of shoes that you
wear. Those who choose the shoes that are chic and attractive tell of their
great taste and aesthetic sense. Likewise, someone who wears shabby or
shoes that are not suit with an outfit or do not befit an occasion tell of their
untidy and lack of fashion sense. This is why you need to pick and wear a
pair of shoes with care so that you can leave the right impression on others
and influence people with your persona.
Nowadays, Shoes are considered very essential for your outlook as
they help you to complement your dress. You can find various types of
shoes in the market that allow you to pick a pair to go well with your outfits.
There are shoes for formal as well as informal clothing. The wide array of
choices in these accessories easily allows you to pick a pair according to
your particular dress and liking.
I've chosen to talk about this subject because women must know how
shoes have evolved, because their history is very interesting.

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For all this reasons, women

love shoes!

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