Shoe Terms Glossary

D'Orsay Pump: A style of pump featuring one or both sides cut-out.

Mary Jane: A style of shoe with a strap across the instep. The strap can be attached with elastic or a buckle, making it easy to slip on and off.

Strappy Sandal: A form of footwear where the shoe is held to the foot by strips of leather or fabric.

Toe Box Styles

Single Band Open Toe	Round Peep Toe	Curved Peep Toe
Pointed Peep Toe	Crossed Strappy Front	Strappy Front
X Front	Envelope Front	Double Butterfly Front
Triple Butterfly Front

Heel Cage and Strap Styles

Full Heel Cage/Single Strap	Open Sling Back/Single strap	Open Back/Strap with Ribbon Closure
T-Strap with Single Ankle Strap	Scalloped Heel Cage	Heel Cage with Cut Outs
Corset Back with Ribbon	Half Shelf Heel Cage	Open Back/Strap with Ribbon Closure
Double X Straps Over Arch	Wrap Around Ribbon Ankle Ties	Bow Back

Detailing Styles

Piping Outline: A decorative, narrow strip of leather that typically follows the seam of a shoe.	Ruffle Trim	Pinking (Zig Zag) Trim: Saw-tooth shaped edging applied to the trim of shoes for decoration.
Ribbon Across Toe with Bow

Arch Styles

Exposed Arch

Enclosed Arch

Half Enclosed Arch

Heel Shapes

Stiletto: Generally speaking, this kind of heel is high and narrow, appearing as if a stiletto dagger or spike is emerging from the footwear. Originally, the principal design philosophy behind the stiletto heel was to lengthen the appearance of the legs. Stilettos are often associated with shoe fetishism. For persons with such a fetish, these heels can exude a sense of sexual strength and control over a situation or individual.

Louis Heel: The Louis Heel was invented by Louis XV (1715-1774) and was splayed at the base with a waisted section, which is still used in modern female fashion.