Elizabeth Godwin
Footwear protects the feet from rough ground, slippery surfaces, and extreme temperatures, keeping them safe, comfortable, and ready for adventure.
Whether someone is hiking, dancing, or just running errands, the right shoes make all the difference.
Shoes and similar footwear make it easier to move around and prevent injuries. They can also be used to look stylish, show off personal style, and even indicate social status.
People often wear socks and stockings under their shoes for extra comfort and relief.
Cultures have different customs regarding footwear, and sometimes not wearing them has a special meaning. For example, in some cultures, walking without shoes is a sign of respect or humility and adherents of many religions worship or mourn while barefoot.
Additionally, in some cultures, people remove their shoes before entering a home while in many other cultures, people take off their shoes as a symbol of respect.
On the other hand, making someone go barefooted, while you wear shoes can be a way to show off your power and status over them.
Similarly, some religious communities explicitly require people to remove shoes before they enter holy buildings, such as temples.
However, in other situations, people might be forced to go without shoes as a way to control or punish them, like in prisons or slavery, where shoes can be a symbol of freedom and power.
Footwear has been used by humans since prehistoric times, and today’s shoes are made from a combination of materials, including leather, plastic, and rubber.
There are different types of footwear, including boots, shoes, sandals, and slippers, each with its own unique features and purposes.
Now let us explore some popular footwears:
Boots:
Boots cover the feet and usually go above the ankles. They are great for protection, comfort, and style. They can be made from leather, rubber, or other materials.They come in many styles.
One of the common types of boots is Chukka boots. These ankle-high leather boots have suede or leather uppers, leather, wooden, or rubber soles, and open lacing with two or three eyelets.
The name ‘Chukka’ comes from the polo game, where a ‘chukka’ is a play period. Chukka boots originated as desert boots worn by British soldiers in World War II.
Another category of boots is combat boots. They are sturdy military boots for soldiers to wear during combat or training, not for parades or ceremonies. They provide grip, ankle support, and foot protection for rough environment.
Combat boots are made from strong leather, they often feature waterproofing and technologies from hiking boots, like breathable panels for comfort. These are also specialized boots for different environments and uses, like jungle, desert, cold weather, tanker, and jump boots.
Another one is Fashion boots. They are worn for style and fashion, not for practical uses like hiking or riding. They are usually worn by women and come in many styles, from ankle to thigh-length.
Fashion boots are perfect for casual, formal, or business wear. Although boots have been around since the 19th century, they became a high fashion item in the 1960s and gained huge popularity in the 1970s. Since then, they’ve been a winter wardrobe essential for women.
Shoes:
A shoe is a footwear that covers the foot. It is usually made of leather with a sturdy sole and does not go above the ankle. Examples include:
Sneakers or trainers: They are designed for sports and exercise, but also worn for casual daily use.
Lace-up shoes have four types, including:
Derby shoes: These shoes have quarters with eyelets on top of the vamp, known as ‘open lacing’.
Oxford shoes: Oxford shoes have eyelets attached under the vamp, called ‘closed lacing’ unlike Derbys which have eyelets on top.
Originally formal leather shoes, Oxfords now come in various styles, materials like calf leather, faux and genuine patent leather, suede, and canvas. The colours are usually black or brown and may be plain or patterned (brogue).
Brogue: A brogue is a type of shoe or boot with a low heel made from sturdy leather with decorative holes called ‘broguing’ and serrated edges.
Originally designed for outdoor use in wet climates, brogues were meant to dry quickly, making them perfect for country or outdoor wear.
Blucher: A Blucher shoe has open lacing and a vamp made from a single piece of leather. It has eyelet tabs sewn on top similar to a Derby but differs in having a one-piece upper unlike the Derby’s larger quarters with eyelets.
School shoe: Under school shoe,we have only the skate shoes.
Sandals:
Sandals are open shoes with a sole and straps that go over the instep and around the ankle. They can have a heel and are often worn for comfort in warm weather, as they are lightweight and easy to make.
Sandals are popular choice in warm climates or during summer months to keep feet cool and dry. They can also help prevent athlete’s foot and are sometimes used as part of the treatment.
There are many types of sandals available:
The Peshawari chappal: it is a traditional type of footwear of Pashtuns, worn especially by Pashtuns in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
The shoe takes its name from the city of Peshawar where it originates while chappal is the word for flip-flops or sandals in Urdu, locals in Peshawar call the Peshawari Tsaplay.
The shoes are worn by men casually or formally, usually with the shalwar kameez. Because of their comfort, they are worn in place of sandals or slippers in Pakistan.
The avarca (plural avarques): it is a type of sandal popular in the Balearic Islands (Spain), especially Menorca.
The shoes are made using a leather upper and a rubber sole.They were originally made from a leather upper and with the sole made from a recycled car tyre.
Slippers:
Slippers are lightweight shoes designed for indoor wear, especially at home. They are easy to slip on and off, providing comfort and protection for your feet while walking indoors.
Open-heel slippers: These slippers have a fabric upper that covers the top of the foot and toes, but leaves the heel exposed. They are often provided complimentary in luxury hotels as part of the room amenities.
Closed slippers: These are slippers with a heel guard that prevents the foot from sliding out.
Slipper boots: These slippers meant to look like boots. Often favored by women, they are typically furry boots with a fleece or soft lining, and a soft rubber sole. Modeled after sheepskin boots, they may be worn outside.
Sandal slippers: Cushioned sandals with soft rubber or fabric soles similar to Birkenstock’s cushioned sandals.
Evening slippers also known as the “Prince Albert” slippers in reference to Albert, Prince Consort. It is made of velvet with leather soles and features a grosgrain bow or the wearer’s initials embroidered in gold.