The names of the shoes, so you know exactly what you are looking at.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 15 November 2026
What are the main heeled shoes?
Pump (or court shoe in the UK): a closed, slip-on heel with a low-cut front. Slingback: a heel with a strap behind the ankle instead of a closed back. Mule: backless, with a closed toe. Kitten heel: a short, slim heel of a few centimetres. Stiletto: a tall, very thin heel. Block heel: a thick, square heel. Platform: a thick sole under the front of the foot as well as the heel.
And the casual and summer shoes?
Mary Jane: a rounded shoe with a strap across the instep, named after a comic-strip character of the early 1900s. Wedge: a heel that runs solidly from front to back. Espadrille: canvas with a braided jute sole, from the Pyrenees. Ballet flat: a soft, low slipper. Loafer: a laceless slip-on. See the classic flats.
What is the difference between an Oxford and a Derby?
The lacing. On an Oxford, the eyelet panels are stitched under the front of the shoe (“closed lacing”), giving a sleek, formal look. On a Derby, the panels are sewn on top (“open lacing”), which is roomier and more casual. A brogue is not a type of shoe but a decoration: the punched holes and serrated edges that can appear on either.
And boots?
Chelsea boot: ankle height with elastic side panels, made famous in 1960s London. Chukka: an ankle boot with two or three eyelets. Combat boot: lace-up with a chunky sole. Knee-high and over-the-knee boots, and the Western-style cowboy boot, come back in fashion every few years.
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