Footwear Terminology
The shoe industry has a lot of specialized language for describing the many styles and construction techniques.
Here is a huge collection of shoe jargon. Good to review before a job interview in the industry, or to increase your general knowledge of fashion & design.
Shoe-related terms to know
- Aglet
- The plastic or metal tip of a shoelace.
- Arch Support
- A bulging structure within the shoe insole that supports the arch of the foot.
- Blake Stitched
- A construction method where the upper is stitched directly to the sole.
- Block Heel
- A wide, solid heel on a lady's or men's shoe.
- Blucher
- Similar to a derby, but with laces sewn onto the vamp.
- Brogue
- A style characterized by decorative perforations along the edges.
- Cap Toe
- A shoe with a distinct piece of leather over the toe.
- Cemented
- A construction method where the sole of the shoe is glued to the upper.
- Chelsea Boot
- An ankle boot with elastic side panels.
- Chukka Boot
- An ankle-high boot with two or three eyelets.
- Derby
- A lace-up shoe with an open lacing system.
- Desert Boot
- A type of chukka boot with a crepe sole.
- Espadrille
- A shoe with a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole.
- Eyelet
- A hole for the shoelace.
- Goodyear Welted
- A construction method with a strip of leather sewn around the edge.
- Gusset
- An insert of material for added comfort or flexibility.
- Heel
- The raised part at the rear of the shoe.
- Heel Cap
- The protective piece at the bottom of the heel.
- Heel Counter
- The stiff piece at the heel for structure.
- Insole
- The inner part of the sole where the foot rests.
- Kitten Heel
- A low, slender heel.
- Last
- A form in the shape of a foot used in shoemaking.
- Loafer
- A slip-on shoe, often with a low heel.
- Midsole
- The layer between the insole and outsole.
- Monk Strap
- A shoe fastened with one or more buckles.
- Mule
- A backless shoe, often with a closed toe.
- Outsole
- The outermost layer of the sole.
- Oxford
- A classic lace-up shoe with a closed lacing system.
- Patina
- The unique and desirable finish that develops on leather over time.
- Penny Loafer
- A loafer with a distinctive strip of leather across the vamp.
- Plain Toe
- A shoe with no decorative stitching on the toe.
- Platform
- A shoe with a thick sole.
- Pull Tab
- A loop at the back of a boot to help pull it on.
- Quarter
- The back part of the shoe that wraps around the heel.
- Saddle Shoe
- A low-heeled oxford with a distinctive saddle-shaped decorative panel.
- Shank
- The supportive structure between the insole and outsole.
- Spectator
- A two-tone shoe, typically with contrasting colors on the toe and heel.
- Stiletto
- A shoe with a very high, thin heel.
- Storm Welt
- A welt that helps make the shoe water-resistant.
- Toe Box
- The area that surrounds the toes.
- Tongue
- The piece of material under the laces.
- Unlined
- Shoes without an inner lining.
- Vamp
- The front part of a shoe that covers the top of the foot.
- Wedge Heel
- A heel that runs under the shoe from the back to the middle or front.
- Welt
- A strip of material that joins the upper to the sole.
- Wholecut
- A shoe made from a single piece of leather.
- Wingtip
- A style of brogue with a pointed toe cap.
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