• A

Aglet

The plastic at the end of a shoelace which makes the lace easier to thread through the holes of the shoe.

Algonquin Toe

Constructed by joining two pieces of leather together at the 'vamp' and 'welt' of the shoe. This method of construction is used commonly in men’s dress shoes.

Ankle Strap

A strap that encircles the ankle and is anchored at the top or sides of the shoe. Usually features an adjustable buckle or elastic.

Antiquing

  A leather finish that creates a rubbed-off appearance. This is also referred to distressed leather.

Apron Toe

An overlay on the front of the shoe with distinct edges or stitching.

Arch

The high, curved part of the sole of the foot, located between the ball of the foot and the heel. Also refers to the part of a shoe insole which provides support for the arch of the foot.

• B

Ballerina Flat

A flat, ballet-style shoe meant for everyday wear. They can be designed using a variety of fabrics including leather, canvas, suede and synthetic leather.

Boat Shoes

Also known as deck shoes or topsiders are typically canvas or leather with non-marking rubber soles designed for use on a boat

Boot

Footwear which covers the entire foot and extends to the height of the anklebone or up to the thigh. Boots for women and men may exhibit all the variations seen in other fashion footwear: tapered or spike heels, platform soles, pointed toes and  zipper closures.

Bootie

A shoe that resembles a boot in style but is not as high.

Brogue

A style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterised by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations.

Buckle

A clasp at the end of fabric or leather that joins one end of the material to the other.  

• C

Calfskin

Soft, supple leather created from the skins of very young cows.

Circumference

The measurement around the shaft of a boot taken at the widest part.

Clog

 A closed toe, open back shoe with a platform sole.

Combination Last

 A last in which the heel is two sizes smaller in width than the widest part of the shoe, producing a narrow heel and a wide toe box.

Contoured Footbed

An insole that easily molds to the shape of the foot.

Covered Heel

A heel covered in the same material as the upper construction.

Cushioning

Padding on the sole of a shoe for added comfort and stabilization.

• D

Demi Boot

A boot style with a shaft that is no taller than the anklebone.

Demi Wedge

A shaped or scooped out wedge heel.

Desert Boot

An ankle-length boot that features crepe soles. 

D'Orsay

A style of pump with one or both sides cut away, exposing the arch of the foot.

Dress Shoe

Is a shoe to be worn at smart casual or more formal events.

Driving Moc

A slip-on moccasin.

Duty Shoe

Footwear for the professionals in the healthcare or service industry.

• E

Embossed Leather

 Leather imprinted with a design or exotic skin texture, such as snake, ostrich or crocodile.

Espadrille

 A shoe or sandal with a sole covered by braided rope.

Eyelet

A small hole for lacing, usually rimmed with a metal ring or grommet.

Exclusive

A Styletread term used to describe a particular item that is offered exclusively by Styletread.

• F

Fashion boot

A boot worn for reasons of style or fashion. The term is usually applied to women’s boots. Fashion boots come in a wide variety of styles, from ankle boots to thigh-length boots, and are used for casual, formal and business attire.

Fisherman Sandal

A type of sandal with woven vertical and horizontal straps, often with a closed toe.

Flip flop

 A type of open-toed sandal typically worn in casual situations

Footbed

The inside part of a shoe where the foot rests. Another term for insole.

Foxing

A rubber strip that binds the upper and the sole of a shoe. Usually found on canvas sneakers.

Full-Grain Leather

Leather that has a naturally textured surface.

• G

Galoshes

Waterproof (typically rubber) overshoes or boots meant to protect the foot and footwear from inclement weather.

Girth

A measurement taken around the circumference of a shoe last, most often taken at the ball of the foot.

Gore

An elastic fabric panel inserted into one or both sides of a shoe, provides added comfort and is easier to put on and take off.

Grain

The natural texture of the animal skin surface.

• H

Heel

Heel refers to the rear underside of the foot or the built-up portion of a shoe that supports the heel.

There are several types of heels:

Baby Louis - The same shape as a Louis heel but a 12/8 shorter.
Built Heel - Created from layers of leather or fibre in contrasting colours.
Continental - A high thin heel with a slightly curved back and flat front.
Cuban - A thick stacked heel with little or no curvature that tapers at the bottom.
Louis or French - A heel with a curved back. Named after French King Louis XV who started the trend in court.
Stacked - Similar to the built heel but typically can be created from synthetic and leather materials.
Wedge - A heel of any height that is an extension of the sole, extending from the front or middle to the back of the sole.

Heel Height

It is the measurement of a vertical line from the point where the sole meets the heel down to the floor. Heel height is measured in increments of 1/8 of an inch.

Hidden Gore

An elastic panel that is hidden under the shoe's tongue, used to provide extra comfort.

• I

Imitation Leather

Any man-made material with a matte or textured finish as to resemble leather.

Instep

The arched section of the foot between the toes and the ankle, or the part of the shoe which covers that area.

• J

Jelly Shoes

Shoes made of PVC, a soft, rubbery material.

• K

Kitten Heel

A type of shoe with a short, slender heel that is set forward.

• L

Leather

The hide of an animal that has been treated and tanned.

Lining

The leather, fabric or synthetic material used on the inside of a shoe.

Loafer

A low, step-in shoe without shoelaces or buckles.

• M

Mary Jane

A shoe style with a low heel and strap across the instep. The strap can be attached with elastic or a buckle, making it easy to slip on and off.

Mid-sole

The part of the sole, between the bottom of the shoe and where the foot rests, typically made with cushioning material.

Moccasin

A slip-on shoe with visible stitching around the perimeter of the toe box, creating a gathered effect.

Monk Strap

A closed-toe shoe with a buckled strap over the instep.

Mule

A closed-toe, heeled shoe with open back.

• N

• O

Outsole

The materials that cover the bottom of the shoe, except the heel.

• P

Patent Leather

A type of leather that has been given a high gloss, shiny finish.

Pebbled Grain

A leather finish created by embossing leather to create a pebble-like surface.

Peep Toe Shoe

 A woman's shoe (usually a pump, slingback, bootie, or any other dress shoe) in which there is an opening at the toe-box which allows the toes to show.

Platform Shoe

A shoe with thick sole under the front part of the foot, and high heel.

Pump

Classically a high, medium, or low heeled, totally enclosed shoe. Variations include an open toe or ornament.

• Q

• R

Riding Boot

A boot designed specifically for riding horses. Usually knee-high and with a low heel. The term can also refer to fashion boots that are designed to resemble riding boots.

• S

Sandal

An open toe and open back shoe with leather or fabric straps across the foot.

Shank

A metal strip extending from the heel to the ball of the foot to strengthen shoe and add support.

Shoes 

Footwear extending to the ankle, worn to protect the feet and made in a range of styles and materials such as leather, plastic, rubber or canvas. Types include: espadrilles, flip-flops, slide, ballet flat, mary jane, ankle strap, clog, stiletto.

Shoe Sizes

The difference between half sizes and full sizes is one-sixth of an inch, while the difference between full sizes is one-third of an inch.

Slide

A step-in shoe, totally backless with an open or closed toe.

Sling-back

An open back shoe with an elasticized or buckled strap going around the upper heel.

Slip-On

A style of footwear which is easily slipped on or off without further adjustment.

Slipper

A flat, casual slip-on, usually worn indoor.

Smooth Leather

Any leather with a smooth surface.

Sneakers 

A type of footwear with a flexible sole made of rubber or synthetic material and an upper part made of leather or canvas

Stiletto heel

A very high, slim and tapered heel.

Suede

Leather that has been sanded or buffed to create a soft, napped surface.

Synthetic

Artificial leather is a fabric or finish intended to substitute for leather.

• T

Tassel

A decorative rope and knot element typically found on the vamp of a shoe.

Thong

A sandal with an asymmetrical "y" strap that passes between the first two toes.

• U

Unit Bottom

The bottom of a shoe, which includes the sole, platform heel or wedge, that is made from a rubber or plastic mold.

Upper

The upper includes all the parts of a shoe above the sole that are stitched or cemented together.

Upper Leather

Leather used to make the upper of a shoe.

• V

• W

Wedge

A shoe that lies flat to the ground and extends from the shank to the back of the shoe.

Wellington

A rubber, pull-on boot worn for wet weather.

Welt

A strip of leather that is stitched as the binding point between the sole and the upper.

Width

Width is measured at the ball of the foot, in 1/6-inch increments and is often expressed in letters (AA=narrow, B=medium, D=wide)

Wing Tip

A piece of wing-shaped leather stitched over the toe cap of a shoe or boot

• X

• Y

• Z