Shoes accessories

Accessories to shoes

* 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 electronics supplies it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.

*Shoe polishing equipment:

* Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.

* Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.

* 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.

* 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 system used to secure shoes.

Types of shoes

Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.

Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.

Dress and casual shoes fashion week dates

Dress shoes are categorized 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 high-topped 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's shoes

Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:

* Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.

* Blüchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.

* Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing

Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.

Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:

* Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.

* Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.

* 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.

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Women's shoes

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:

Pumps, known in the US and 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.

High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.

* Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.