Shoe Dictionary

SHOE DICTIONARY: Answers to Your "What Is" Questions About Shoes

Alligator Skin: Type of reptile hide used to make shoes. Features a unique pattern that's usually wide and box-like.
Ankle Strap: One or more straps that wrap around the ankle and attach to the back of the shoe with adjustable straps and/or elastic.
Antiquing: To make shoes look worn, this type of leather finish is used for that rubbed-off look.
Arch: On your foot, it's the area between the heel and ball. In shoes, it's the raised, padded area that gives you support and comfort.
Back Seam: A stitched seam running vertically through the center at the back of shoes or boots.
Ball: Found between the big toe and arch, this area of the foot is padded.
Ballerina Flat: Originally worn by ballerinas, now women wear this flat-heeled, close-toed, low-cut shoe every day.
Balmoral Shoe: Known as an Oxford in Europe, this dressy shoe features a V-shaped panel that laces run through.
Bellows Tongue: Used in dress and athletic shoes, this tongue connects at top and sides of shoe, making it easier to slide the foot in.
Boot: Shoes that are ankle, knee-high or thigh-high, depending on where it stops. Most feature a distinctive heel.
Break: Shoe industry term for the line that forms from wear/walking at the front part of the shoe.
Brogue: Formerly worn in Scotland and Ireland, this oxford-type shoe features ornamental detailing/patterns along the seam.
Buckle: Type of fastener/device holding two ends together at the end of a strap. Commonly found on boots.
Built Heel: Built-up portion of a shoe or boot that supports the heel, made of multiple layers and resembles a stacked heel.
Burnish: To achieve an antiquing effect, this stylized buffing process is used to make the shoe look worn and/or broken in.
Calfskin: Hide of a calf or young cow used to make an ultra soft leather used in shoes.
Cap Toe: More commonly known as a tip, this additional, purely decorative piece of leather can be found across the toe of a shoe.
Carnaby Fit: A very comfortable shoe that fits rather loosely, giving you freedom of movement.
Cemented Construction: The upper of a shoe is attached to the sole with cement for a lighter, durable, more flexible shoe.
Chukka Boot: Very similar to desert boots, these ankle-high, lace-ups are made of suede or leather.
Circumference: Depending on the size of your foot, it's the measurement around the widest part of the shoe near the shaft.
Clog: Made famous in Holland and Sweden, this slip-on, close-toe, open-back shoe has a wooden heel.
Collar: For decoration and sometimes comfort, this piece of material is found at a shoe's opening or topline.
Continental: Type of sexy, platform heel 3 ½ inches or higher featuring flat and curved shapes on the heel.
Contoured Footbed: A memory foam insole that molds to your foot for extra comfort and support.
Cordovan: A specialized, tanned leather from a horse's backend that's a very dark cherry color.
Counter: To keep a heel's shape, this piece of material is added between the lining and upper.
Crepe Rubber: Used in the sole of shoes, this natural rubber has a crinkly texture similar to crepe paper.
Cuban: Made popular by Latin dancers, a chunky-heeled shoe with a rectangular design that tapers from top to bottom.
Cushioning: Extra padding that's added to the insole for comfort, protection and support.
Demi Boot: Covering the entire foot, this boot ends at ankle. Commonly referred to as a bootie or ankle boot.
D'Orsay: Revealing the arch, this pump style features one or both sides cut out.
Dressing: Layers of polish or gloss applied to shoes help keep their finish and look.
Elastane: Made from polyurethane and used in shoe uppers, this elastic synthetic fiber is stronger than rubber and adds stretch.
Embossed Leather: Process where leather is made into a pattern simulating exotic hides, like crocodile or snake.
Espadrille: These colorful flats or heels have the distinctive woven rope on the sole and canvas uppers.
Eyelet: Built-in rings or holes made of metal or rubber for shoelaces to be strung through prior to tying them.
Finish: A process done before a shoe is completed--can include a polish, gloss or rubbed off/antiqued look
Flat Foot: A military term to describe the condition when your foot collapses and the foot is flat with no height.
Footbed: Usually removable and replaceable, insoles are a lining or padding where the foot rests, providing cushioning and stability.
Forefoot: One of most cushioned parts of foot and first part of foot to hit the ground when running between ball and toes. Needs adequate cushioning in shoes.
Foxing: Usually found on athletic shoes, it's the rubber that joins the upper and sole of shoe.
Gait: Putting one foot in front of another and walking. Affects what type of shoe you wear and how your shoes will wear.
Galoshes: Oversized, knee-high, pull-on, waterproof rubber boots that protects your shoes and protect your feet from rain or mud.
Ghillie: A stylized type of shoe lacing where fabric, leather rings or material loops are attached to opening of shoe.
Girth: Measuring the instep, heel, waist and ball of foot, the widest part of shoe.
Goatskin: Most commonly used in boots, the skin of a goat that tanned leather is made from.
Gore: Elastic siding sewn into shoes to make them more comfortable and easy to take on and off.
Grain: Top layer of animal hide that has a visible pattern--each animal will have a distinctive hide and grain.
Hammertoe: Abnormal bending of the toes putting pressure on them when wearing shoes. Corns and calluses form. Starts out mild and gets worse.
Heel: Part of shoe that attaches at back under your sole and can give you a lift.
Heel Breast: Part of the heel that faces forward.
Heel Height: Measuring from the bottom of the heel that touches the floor to where it connects with a shoe's outsole.
Heel Seat: The part of the heel where your foot rests.
Hidden Gore: Covered by the tongue, this is the elastic at the front of the shoe that gives comfort and helps you slide your shoes on.
Hide: Used in shoes and boots, this is the animal skin they are made of that's cured and tanned.
Hook & Loop: Instead of laces, a method to keep shoes closed using two pieces of fabric with hooks and loops.
Huarache: Originally from Mexico and Central America, a flat sandal with an intricatly woven leather upper.
Imitation Leather: Known as pleather, a cheaper, synthetic version of leather made of polyurethane.
Injection Molded Construction: Used in mass produced footwear to make them last longer, PVC is injected into the sole's mold.
Inseam: A thread stitching that holds the welt, upper, lining and insole together in shoes.
Insole: Separating sole and foot, this lining or padding can be removed and improves fit, performance and cushioning.
Instep: The arched part of your foot or part of the shoe that covers this part of foot.
Jelly Shoes: Also known as Jellies, these are inexpensive shoes made of plastic or PVC that resemble sandals.
Jodhpur Boots: Originally used for equestrian activities, these low-cut boots have elastic gore and can be pulled on.
Kidskin: Also known as kid, this soft, smooth leather comes from young goat hides.
Kiltie: Usually found on loafers and moccasins, this very decorative fringe hangs over the top of shoes.
Kipskin: From young adult cows, this soft leather is somewhere in between calfskin and cowhide.
Laces: Usually crisscrossed and in a variety of colors, these strings or cords will keep your shoes closed.
Lambskin: A fine-grade leather made from the hides of young sheep.
Last: The form used to mold the shape, side and other dimensions of a shoe's upper.
Lasting: Shaping the midsole to join the upper by fitting it around a last.
Leather: Used in the production of footwear, it's a quality material made from animal skins that are tanned.
Lift: Also known as a heel, this part attaches to the back of the shoe under the sole.
Lining: Material inside a shoe that surrounds foot--can be made of variety of materials, insulates foot and makes shoe more comfortable.
Lizard: Skin of a lizard used to make shoes that are a type of leather with pattern of small circles.
Loafer: Leather, close-toed, flat shoes that slip on and are quite plain.
Louis or French: Popular in the 17th century, a medium to high-heeled shoe that tapers at middle of heel and widens at bottom of heel.
Lucite®: Transparent type of plastic used in heels or as invisible straps or parts of uppers.
Lug Sole: Natural rubber soles with heavy tread and deep indentations for durability and traction.
Mary Jane: Classic American shoe with low heels, closed toe and buckled strap across top. Usually black patent leather.
Microfiber: Man-made material used in textiles that's soft, durable, flexible and easy to clean.
Mid-sole: Area of shoe between inner and outer soles made for proper stability.
Moccasin: A comfortable shoe made by Native Americans with deerskin or soft leather uppers, hard soles and sometimes decorations.
Mule: Casual or dressy and worn with bare feet or stockings, these are backless, closed-toe shoes that are flat or heeled.
Napa: A super soft version of sheepskin leather.
Nappa: Generally made from cowhide, it's a smooth, soft leather.
Nubuck: High quality leather from cattle that feels like velvet or suede used on the uppers of shoes.
Outsole: Also known as a sole, part of shoe that hits the ground and is usually made of rubber and/or synthetic materials.
Oxford: From Scotland and Ireland, a traditionally plain, low-heeled, leather shoe that's laced and sometimes has decoration.
Patent Leather: Leather made from raw cattle hide and a plastic coating is added for shine and a high gloss finish.
Pebbled Grain: Type of leather finish that's embossed with small circular shapes.
Penny Loafer: A loafer that slips on with a slit over the instep to place a penny for good luck.
Perforation: Patterns or decorations punched into a shoe's trim usually found on Oxfords, loafers or balmorals.
Pigskin Leather: Leather made from the skin of pigs and used in shoes and footballs.
Piping: A trim that's narrow and stitched in the seams or along the edges of shoes. Can be a contrasting/opposite color.
Pitch: How your body's weight lines up over the heel of a shoe.
Platform Shoe: Originally worn with flared jeans, these shoes have a thick sole that runs from the toe to heel.
Pointed Toes: Closed-toed shoes that come to an extreme point in front of shoe and have a tapered footbed.
Polyurethane (PU): Used in midsoles, this durable material provides shock absorption and is used in athletic shoes.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Durable and flexible plastic material used in heels and outsoles.
Pump: Dressy or casual, open or close-toed, low to medium heels with thick heels that are comfortable to walk in.
Quarter: Back part of the upper that covers heels and sides join on back seam. Supports rear of foot.
Quarter Lining: Soft, inner lining at the back of shoe made of leather or fabric that insulates or cools your feet.
Retro: Footwear that resemble a past style in history, like Roman Gladiator shoes.
Riding Boot: Designed for equestrian activities, these knee-high boots have a low heels and elastic panels at the top.
Rim: Also know as the throat, the top part of shoe where your foot enters.
Saddle Oxford: Usually black and white, Oxfords with saddle in a contrasting color across the top near the laces.
Sandal: Worn in warmer months, these open shoes reveal most of foot and toes and are made of a variety of materials.
Scotch Grain: Leather that's decorated with a raised pattern to mimic pebbles.
Shaft Height: Measuring the middle of the arch inside a boot to the top of the shaft.
Shearling: Leather generally used in boots made from sheep or lamb hides with wool attached.
Sheepskin: Used to make shoes, leather from sheep hide with or without attached wool.
Shoe Sizes: A number in whole or half sizes that determines what size you should wear based on measuring your foot.
Shoe Width: A factor in determining shoe size based on letters to denote slim, narrow, wide or extra wide.
Slide: A backless, open-toed sandal that can be heeled or flat with a strap across the toes.
Sling-back: Backless, open or close-toed shoe with or without heels and a leather or elastic strap at heel or ankle.
Slip Last: Shoe is pulled over last and attached to midsole during construction. Makes shoe lighter and flexible.
Slip-On: Backless shoes that are easy to slide your foot into. Most are casual and can be slippers or sneakers.
Slipper: Warm and comfortable indoor shoes that can be enclosed, backless, open or close-toed and have rubber or suede soles.
Smooth Leather: Leather that's super smooth with no graining or designs.
Snakeskin: Scaly, sometimes rough leather that comes from snakes and has an oval-shaped pattern.
Sneaker: A casual shoe usually made of canvas with a rubber sole.
Sock Liner: A covering on the inside of the shoe to cut down on friction, give cushioning and remove moisture.
Sole: Not including the heel, the bottom part of a shoe that touches the ground.
Sole Leather: Heavy leather that bottoms of shoes and soles are made of.
Spectator: A stylish shoe with two different materials or colors with cut edging or holes punched in for contrast.
Split Leather: Lower layers of animal hide that have been separated from upper layers.
Stacked: Heels on shoes made of multiple layers of pressed wood, leather or synthetic materials.
Straight Lasted: Shape of a shoe that has a straight sole and is best for people who don't rotate their feet inward or overpronate when walking.
Suede: Leather with an extremely soft surface by repeated buffing.
Swarovski®: Designer lead crystal glass made in Europe that's sometimes used for decoration.
Synthetic Materials: Man-made materials and other natural fibers used to make a material that looks like genuine leather, but isn't.
Tap: Attachment made of metal that's attached to the sole underneath toes or heel used by tap dancers.
Tassel: An ornamental knotted rope that hangs from the top of a loafer or mocassin.
Thong: A backless, open-toed sandal with a "V" strap in the middle between the first and second toes.
Throat: In enclosed shoes, the part of the shoe you put your foot into before you lace it up.
Tip: Also called a cap toe, a piece of leather or other material at the toe of a shoe, usually in a contrasting color.
Tongue: Piece of material that runs vertically to the top center of a lace-up or velcro shoe under where laces would be.
Tread: Tread is the design or pattern on a sole that helps shoes grip the ground. Can also refer to how a shoe is worn in.
Tru-Moc: Also known as a moccasin. A flat, closed-toe, slip-on shoe made of soft leather.
Ugg ®: Why Ugg ® boots? They are made purely of sheepskin with the wollen are touching the foot and the outer covering reflect the outside of the skin
Unit Bottom: The sole of a shoe made from a single mold that can include a platform or wedge heel.
Upper: Upper part of the shoe that covers the foot and can be made of leather, fabric or synthetic materials.
Upper Leather: Leather made from the hide of any animal used to construct the upper part of shoes.
Vamp: The front portion of the upper that covers the toes and part of the foot. Tongue and eyelets are connected to it.
Vegetarian Shoes: Shoes made of non-animal materials or any synthetic material that isn't leather.
Velcro ®: Brand name for type of closure that's two pieces of fabric--one has small hooks and other has fabric loops.
Vinyl: Manufactured material made of shiny plastic used for shoe soles, heel counters and uppers. Also known as PVC.
Waterproof Leather: Leather shoes that are treated to keep your feet dry, no matter how wet it is.
Wedge: High-heeled shoe with a wide heel made of wood, rubber or plastic that slopes.
Wedge Heel: Type of heel the runs from the front to back of shoe that slopes.
Wellington: Known as galoshes, which some label as wellies, these pull-on, knee-high, waterproof rubber boots are used for snow or rain.
Welt: Piece of leather, plastic or rubber (or attachment point) between insole and outsole. Makes shoe stronger and more durable.
Wing Tip: Mainly for decoration, an additional piece of leather sewn over the toe area that makes a "W".

Find the definition for any shoe style or material in our glossary