shoes

Since I am stuck at home this weekend nursing a sore throat (residual from stuffing myself with chocolates in switzerland, then eating spicy things for 4 days in a row), I spent the weekend watching sex and the city. So what more could you ask of me than a post on one of the greatest indulgence in my life?

1. Stilettos
Stilettos are named after the stiletto dagger, and may vary in length from a few cm to 7 inches. Stilettos are thin and pointy high heels, which make a woman exude sexuality and are known for their erotic nature as they alter a woman's posture by forcing the leg to turn out, the calf muscle to stiffen (hence look more toned) and the hips to sashay. In fact, Marilyn Monroe reputedly chopped off 3/4 of an inch of the heel of her left shoe to emphasise her wiggle (see here and here).

a stiletto dagger

Christian Louboutin hi tina stiletto sandals

2. Ballerina flats
Also known as flatties or ballet shoes, they are usually closed-toe and very comfortable because they are flat (duh).

black satin Louis Vuitton concorde flat ballerina

3. Pumps
Pumps are also known as court shoes but have evolved into shoes of many colours, material, designs and embellishment to make them wearable "out-of-court". They have enclosed toes and sides and have either stiletto or block heels.
Roger Vivier created the highest stiletto pumps which could withstand any woman's weight because of his signature comma-shaped heel.
Vivier silver pumps with buckle

the commas of Vivier

4. Wedges
Wedges come with triangular heels that join the sole of the shoe.

Ferragamo signoria topstitched wedge in black

5. D'Orsay
A d'Orsay ("door-say") style pump has sides that are cut away, revealing the arch of the foot. D'Orsay can be either opened or closed toe.

Manolo Blahnik strappy opened-toe d'orsay pumps

Marc Jacobs closed-toe d'orsay patent pumps

6. Mary Janes
Nope, not Spiderman's lover, but traditional MJs have short, rounded toe box and are flat. Modern MJs vary from flat to heeled shoes, but what makes an MJ an MJ is the strap that runs across the front of the foot. It was the famous shoemaker Manolo Blahnik who recreated the MJ with a pointed toe box and made the Mary Janes a classic Manolo Blahnik design.

Kate Spade flat mary janes in pink

Manolo Blahnik mary janes heels in black with rhinestone

7. Slingbacks
Slingbacks can be either open or closed toe shoes. A pair of slingbacks has a back strap that connects the side of the shoe to wrap around the heel.

Jimmy Choo gentle metallic leather slingback

8. Kitten heels
Kitten (or kitty) heels are shoes with thin and low heels.

Stuart Weitzman bowsart kitten heels in navy satin

9. Mules
Mules are backless shoes with closed toes.

Prada brocade mules

10. Platforms
Platforms have very thick soles at the front. They were the trend for 'aunties' in Singapore in the 1990s and soon became a fashion boo-boo because of the degrading nature of the wearers. Platforms were made HUGE internationally thanks to the platform goddess, Vivienne Westwood, and Naomi Campbell who fell from these blue platforms in a VW 1993 Autumn/Winter fashion show:

Vivienne Westwood ghillie.





Another absolutely sado-masochistic pair of VW platforms:


11. Ankle Straps/Ankle Wraps
Ankle straps have single or multiple straps (usually leather) which wrap around the ankle, while ankle wraps have ribbons or strings which wrap around the ankle.

Gucci metal ankle straps

Chanel red logo espadrilles ankle wrap sandals

12. Loafers/Moccasins
Covered, slip-on footwear which are super comfortable and very good for travelling in. Loafers are slightly different from moccasins in that moccasins are usually softer and more flexible. Otherwise, the terms are generally interchangeable.

Tod's suede driving loafers

13. Oxfords
Oxfords are leather shoes with enclosed lacing. The design of the shoe is often plain, but may include some small ornamentation or perforations.

Irregular Choice mock croc oxfords

14. Peep Toe
Literally, peep toes mean you can see your toes.

Steve Madden lalo gingham peep-toe

15. Boots
And of course, who could forget, BOOTS! Boots cover at least the foot and the ankle and sometimes extends up to the knee. Most have heels that are clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece.

Dolce & Gabbana astrakhan-and-croc boots

Ok! Hope you enjoyed your crash course of the different shoes in the world. There are definitely more but Wendy needs to take her antibiotics and then go to bed. Good night! :)