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Argument

Why I’ve 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 couldn’t 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, that’s 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 , I’ve 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 weren’t made of colorful plastic or rubber obviously, they had to be made from whatever was available.  Which wasn’t 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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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 people’s 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 today’s 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. 

ROME: 

Greek Sandal

Egyptian Sandals

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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 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.

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.  

 

1.2. Middle Ages

Roman SOLEAE

Roman Sandal

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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 traditional pointed toed footwear found in the near/middle east.  So again we are back to the pointed toes. 

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 Duck’s Bill shoes (also called Bear’s Claw) during the reign of Francois I.  Duck’s 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. 

Poulaine shoe

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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 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 can’t move, you can’t dance.

The Italian pantofle and the Venetian heeled slipper replaced those pesky fat toed, so popular during the previous era.  

o 1600s

In the 1660s women to pay more attention to their shoes and no longer wanted the same shape as men’s.  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 naturally women tried to make them smaller by binding them with their own hair. This along with all the

Wooden pattens

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tight lacing made her so uncomfortable she often fainted. It's no wonder we never took over the world. 

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

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, women’s legs were never shown and feet were only glimpsed once in a while when sitting down so stockings and hose weren’t 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.

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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

Women’s shoes became lighter and finer with a pointed toe and the delightful addition of straps. 

Bar shoes became all the rage for they didn’t 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 haven’t seen the sandal since Rome!  They started out as beachwear then developed into party and eveningwear.  Black was most common for day

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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. 

Men’s 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 it’s first appearance and has been with us ever since.  

o 1940s

When leather became restricted for military use, every imaginable material was

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.

o 1950s

The race to achieve the slimmest possible heel was foremost

in shoe design. Gone were the prior decade's chunky styles and in came

1940's Reptile Skinned Pump 

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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 60’s.  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 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.

Men’s shoes :

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

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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 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

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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

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.

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 tree

Heel grips

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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.

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 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.

Shoelaces

Shoe polish

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4.1.1. Men’s

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 Blüchers.

o Blüchers (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 elastic-sided 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.

Men dress

Casual shoes

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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 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.

4.1.2. Women’s

Formal men shoes

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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

heels (typically 1½-2 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

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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 warm-weather 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.

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.

Slippers

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

Saddle shoes

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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 cleatso 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.

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

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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 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.

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• 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.

• 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 hard-soled varieties. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.

Dance sneakers

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• Foot thongs are known by various names depending on the manufacturer, including dance paws, foot undies, and foot paws. They are slip-on, 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 solesor 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 includeo 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.

Poulaine

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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 ⅔ centimetres (6.6 mm or ~0.26 in). Usually, only full sizes are made,resulting in an increment of ⅔ centimetre. This unit is commonly used in Continental

Europe.

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o The barleycorn is an old English unit that equals to ⅓ inch (8.46 mm). Half sizes are commonly made, resulting in an increment of 1⁄6inch (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 "10⅔".

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 IrelandShoe 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 CanadaIn 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.

AsiaThe 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.

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8. Important brands of athletic shoes

8.1. NikeNike 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 BillBowerman and Philip Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1978. The companytakes its name from Nike (Greek Νίκη)the Greek goddess of victory. 

8.2. AdidasAdidas 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 Gebrüder 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.

8.3. PumaPuma 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 untilthe two agreed to split in 1948, forming two separate entities, Adidas andPuma. Puma is currently based in Germany.

Nike’s Logo

Adidas’s current logo

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8.4. Lacoste Lacoste is a French apparel company founded in 1933 that sells high-

end clothing, footwear,perfume, leather goods, watches, eyewear, and most famouslytennis shirts. In recent years, Lacoste has introduced a home line of sheeting and towels.The company can be recognized by its green crocodile 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.

Puma’s Logo

Lacoste’s Logo

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I've chosen to talk about this subject because women must know how shoes have evolved, because their history is very interesting.

For all this reasons, women love shoes!

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