Peep Toes

A peep toe shoe has an opening at the end that shows part of the toes, but not the whole toe line, as other open-toed shoes do.
The opening of a peep toe shoe is usually a wedge or rounded shape that shows only part of some of the toes.

Ankle Strap Shoes

An ankle strap shoe has a single strap or multiple straps that wraps around the ankle.
Whether the shoes in question are sandals or pumps, or whether the straps are buckled or elasticized, one or more straps is all that is needed to make a shoe an ankle strap.
When a shoe features ribbons, string, or other material that can be wrapped around the ankle multiple times and tied, it is often called an ankle "wrap" shoe.

Definition of d'Orsay Pump

A d'Orsay style pump is a woman's shoe in which the vamp of the shoe is cut away very close to the toe box, and the sides are cut away, revealing the arch of the foot.

Pronunciation: door-say

French Heels

During the 17th century, King Louis XIV of France , who was only 5 feet 3 inches tall, had shoes with high heels specially made to increase his height. The trend caught on.
In the 1800s, American women began copying Parisian fashion, including the high-heeled footwear known as French or Louis heels. Today, women's shoes with a curved, medium-high heel are known as French heels.

Also Known As: Louis Heels, Curved Heels, Pompadour Heels

Kitten Heels

A kitten heel is a type of shoe with a thin-based, low heel (usually 1.5 inches or less) that is set in from the back of the shoe.
Especially popular on pumps, kitten heels can be found on many types of women's dress shoes. More than just being a low heel, what makes a kitten heel is the placement and feminine shape of the heel (see photo).

Mary Jan es

A mary jane shoe usually refers to a girl's or woman's shoe that is styled after shoes children used to wear.

Mary janes can have varying heel heights and come in a variety of styles, but what makes them mary janes is the strap that crosses the middle top of the foot - sometimes shoes called, mary janes will have multiple straps crossing the top of the foot.
Traditionally, a mary jane shoe has a short, rounded toe box, and very flat heel, although now nearly any style or height of shoe can have mary jane styling.

Mule Shoes

Simply put, a mule is a backless shoe.
An increasingly popular choice for men as well as women, mules can be sporty, like mule sneakers; or elegant, like the ones pictured here - or they can land somewhere in between.

They can have high heels, low heels, or chunky heels, but if the back is open, they are considered mules.

Pla tform Shoes

Contrary to popular belief, the heel of a shoe has nothing to do with whether or not the shoe is a platform shoe. Rather it is the part of the sole sitting under the front of the foot that determines whether or not the shoes are platforms.

Platform shoes have thick soles sitting under the front part of the foot. This style comes with a variety of different heel types, including wedge and stiletto heels, chunky heels, etc.
While platform soles are often combined with wedge heels, they aren't always. When the two features are combined, they make what is called a "platform wedge."
Platform shoes are currently very popular with women, but in the past, have had great popularity with men as well.

Slides

Easy to slip on and off, slides or slide sandals are shoes with open toes and backs.

Across the center-top of the shoe, a slide will have a single or multiple straps. These bands can be thin, wide, woven, braided, twisted, knotted, or configured in a multitude of ways - but in order to be a true "slide" there should be no toe or ankle straps.
Available in dressy, athletic and casual styles, slides can be flat, or have any type of heel.

Sling-Backs

Instead of having a full, closed back, a sling-back has a strap that connects from the sides or the vamp of the shoe, and wraps around the back part of the foot.
Sling-backs can have open toes, or closed; they can be casual or dressy. It is the back strap that makes them a sling-back.

Stacked Heels

Usually brown or beige, stacked heels are designed to give the illusion of thin layers of wood that have been stacked up to create a flat, wedge or high heel.
Stacked heels are seen on both men's and women's casual footwear.

Stiletto

The term "stiletto" refers to a type of shoe heel that is pointy, thin and high. Also called "spike" or "spiked" heels.

Below are some tips to follow if wearing high heels provides you with a soulful experience:

• Avoid wearing them for long periods of time, and stretch the muscles in the back of the leg before and after putting them on.
• Try to set a limit of two-inch heels.
• Pelvic tilts and calf stretches will assist in lessening muscle cramping and shortening.
• Buy shoes in the afternoon or evening. Feet swell during the day.
• Change into lower heels whenever possible.
• Try to eliminate pointed toes. A good rule to follow is the higher the heel, the wider the toe box should be.
• Select shoes with leather insoles to keep feet from slipping.
• Buy and wear a variety of shoes including sneakers, oxfords, and sandals.

The following is a list of the top 10 most common foot ailments, their causes and/or their remedies:

1. Calluses – wear shoes with more room in the part of the shoe of the same region.
2. Bunions – long-term use of too pointed or too narrow shoes.
3. Neuroma – pinching of the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones may cause sharp pain. Wear wider shoes.
4. Arch pain – caused by the excessive wear on flat shoes lacking arch support. Wear shoes of varying heel heights.
5. Numbness – from tight shoes, usually on sides, toes, and/or top of foot. Wear shoes with gored elastic at the tongue or with a wider toe box. Purchase shoes late in the day, when the foot is most worked.
6. Blisters – caused by poor-fitting shoes or shoes of poor construction.
7. Tinea – fungus caused by excessive sweating in shoes, or shoes or socks that don’t breathe. Wear clean sock and shoes. Select shoes that breathe. Air out shoes after each wearing.
8. Sprains – risked from shoes with heels that are over 2 Ό” high.
9. Achilles pain – tightness of the Achilles tendon cause by the prolonged wearing of high heels. Stretching exercises and varying heels heights will ease or assist in the avoidance of this pain.
10. Retrocalcaneal bump (pump bump) – inflammation caused by excessive friction at the heel of the foot.