The 7 Basic Shoe Styles

Large Size Shoes for Men.com has provided a brief description of the 7 basic shoe styles which are the source of all footwear fashion. Of all the thousands of fashion variations in shoe design, there are only 7 basic footwear styles. We must distinguish between style and fashion. Style is basic and fashion is the contemporary version of that basic style. It is interesting to note that all 7 basic shoe styles were designed by men for men.

Moccasin

The moccasin style is the oldest shoe style and dates back thousands of years. It was originally a piece of tanned leather wrapped around the foot and held on by a rawhide thong. The American Indian contributed the name "moccasin" which means foot covering.

Sandal

Again the sandal style dates back thousands of years. It was a slab or sole held onto the foot with simple thongs. The name comes from the Latin "sanis", meaning a board. It has become one of the more popular shoe styles.

Mule

The mule was the original slipper. The name comes from the Sumerian word "mula" meaning indoor shoe. Over the centuries a heel was put on this style and the mule became a fashion shoe. It continues to be used today as both a slipper and a shoe.

Clog

This ancient style was originally a piece of wood on which the shoe rested to protect it from water and mud. The word "clog" is old English, meaning a lump of wood. A clog style can be a traditional wooden shoe or a modern platform with a wide variety of leather or cloth uppers.

Boot

This style was originally a low shoe with a legging to protect the legs of horseback riders. Eventually the legging and the shoe were joined to make a boot. In the begining the boot style had a wide flared top that the French called "boute" meaning water bucket.

Pump

The name pump comes from early England. The style was worn by carriage footmen who pumped the pedals and brakes of the carriage with there feet. When this style became a fashion the name pump was adopted.

Oxford

The name is derived from Oxford, England, where the first laced shoe was introduced. The oxford replaced the buckle style as the most popular fashion . The oxford is the newest of the 7 basic styles.

Zappos.com

Size 12
14300 + items
Size 12.5
2350 + items
Size 13
12600 + items
Size 13.5
750 + items
Size 14
5700 + items
Size 14.5
270 + items
Size 15
2000 + items
Size 16
600 + items
Size 17
200 + items
Size 18
160 + items
Size 19
35 + items
Size 20
35 + items

Shoebuy.com

Size 12
Size 12.5
Size 13
Size 13.5
Size 14
Size 14.5
Size 15
Size 16
Size 17
Size 18
Size 19
Size 20

Do you have questions about shoe construction? Please use our resource library.
Resource Library

Shoe Construction
The 7 Basic Shoe Styles
Shoe Upper Materials
Shoe Upper Leather
Shoe Components
The Shoe Last
The Assembly of a Shoe
Shoe Sole Materials

Home - Privacy - Contact Us - Links

Thank you for visiting Large Size Shoes for Men