Footwear 101: Complete Glossary of Shoe Shapes

Footwear that covers the entirety of the foot and extends at least to the ankle.

Also called a "chukka boot," this lightweight, ankle-length style has two or three pairs of eyelets for lacing.

Stella McCartney Canvas Desert Boots ($459)

A short boot with a vertical elastic gore on each side of the ankle.

ASOS Arizona Woven Chelsea Boots ($50, originally $67)

A boot without a shaft.

Barneys New York Cutout Peep-Toe Booties ($269, originally $450)

A boot that extends to the ankle and has a 3- to 8-inch high shaft.

Suede Ankle Boots ($940)

Also called a "biker boot," this is a weighty boot with a low heel, made from protective elements like heavy leather and metal.

Rag & Bone Moto Textured-Leather Boots ($797)

A lace-­up boot originally designed for military use.

Dr. Martens Caden Combat Boots ($190)

A midcalf boot with a moderate, slanted heel, decorative stitching, and typically a pointed toe.

Laredo Kadi Boots ($100)

Also called a "riding boot," this sleek style includes a low heel and knee-high shaft.

Sage Calf Suede Riding Boots ($399, originally $995)

Traditionally, a boot or shoe designed to be worn over and protect other footwear (though today the term encompasses all rain boots).

Bogs Carson Boots ($120)

A tall, waterproof boot made from rubber or PVC.

Hunter Tall Wellington Boots ($100)

Exposed footwear that includes an open toe and back.

A backless sandal that is held on the foot by a large strap that runs across the instep.

Topshop Hi Pool Slide Sandals ($35)

Inspired by the shape of Roman fighters' shoes, this sandal is marked by a single strap that runs down the foot and has several horizontal straps that run across it.

Christian Louboutin Neronna Flat Gladiator Sandals ($845)

Also called a "thong," this flat sandal is held in place by a strap that passes between the big toe and the second toe with a v-strap.

House of Harlow Colton Flip-Flops ($60)

A sandal constructed of rubber or fabric and is designed to protect feet from shells and rocks. An enclosed version can be made of quick­drying mesh.

Teva Original Sandals ($40)

Footwear with no heel height.

Named for the dandy Count d'Orsay, a shoe with a closed heel and toe but with cut-down sides.

Loeffler Randall Prue D'Orsay Flats ($195)

Inspired by ballet dancers' slippers, this is a soft, closed-toe shoe.

Miu Miu Printed Leather Ballet Flats ($490)

An indoor, flat slip-on.

Ugg Australia Cozy Knit slippers ($130)

A slipper with a raised vamp (front part of the shoe) that has notches where it meets the side of the shoe.  

Kenzo Tiger Embroidered Neoprene Slippers ($295)

A slip-on with stitching around the toe box to create a gathered effect.

Minnetonka thunderbird moccasins ($40)

Designed to give drivers a better grip on the pedals, this is a moccasin with a thin sole that wraps around the entire shoe.

Gommino Suede Driving Shoes ($425)

A moccasin-style slip-on with a slotted strap stitched to the vamp of the shoe, with an optional tassel or chain, and referred to as a penny loafer when a coin is inserted in the slot.

Woman by Commons project leather penny loafers ($329)

A moccasin-style shoe with an antislip rubber sole designed to be worn on a boat deck.

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original Woven Boat Shoes ($63, originally $125)

A shoe that can be put on or removed without a lace or strap.

Givenchy Black Floral Print Slip-On Shoes ($630)

A casual, rubber-soled shoe made of soft materials. Variations include tennis shoes, skater shoes, wedge sneakers, and high-tops.

New Balance For J.Crew 998 Sneakers ($160)

A low, leather shoe that is fastened with shoelace eyelets above its vamp.

Miu Miu leather oxfords ($359)

An oxford with a band (which is typically a contrasting color or texture) that runs from the lacing down to the sole.

Robert Clergerie Flash Saddle Shoes ($298, originally $595)

An oxford with w-shaped material stitched to its vamp.

Barbara Bui Mesh Wingtip Brogue Oxfords ($590)

A style marked by a distinctive contrasting color on its cap, this shoe is traditionally — though not exclusively — an oxford.

Prada Patent Leather Tooled Wingtip Flats ($520)

A shoe with holes punched around the edge of the vamp.

Pertini Contrast Sole Suede Brogues ($130)

A shoe with a canvas upper and rope sole, which is typically flat but can have a wedge. Originally a slip-on when created in Spain, current varieties include sandals and lace-ups.

Soludos Gatsby espadrille ($48)

A flat shoe with a level platform.

Sophia Webster Suki Woven Flatform Sandals ($293, originally $420)

A flat shoe with a thick, crepe rubber sole.

T.U.K. Floral Creepers ($75)

Footwear that raises the wearer's heel height higher than the toes.

A shoe with an elastic, Velcro, or buckle strap across the instep.

Alexander Wang Manuel Mary Jane Pump ($556, originally $795)

A shoe with a strap running vertically up the foot.

SJP Carrie T-Strap Pumps ($355)

A shoe with a single or multiple straps that pass around the ankle.

Mango Suede Peep-Toe Ankle Boots ($130)

A shoe with an elastic or buckled strap around the back of the foot.

Oscar de la Renta Plaid Slingbacks ($348, originally $695)

A shoe with a cap or reinforced leather on the toe.

Pierre Hardy Laser-Cut Cap-Toe Pumps ($559, originally $925)

A shoe with an opening in front that exposes the toes.

Zara Peep-Toe Stilettos ($36)

A backless shoe or slipper with a vamp that can be open- or closed-toed.

Tibi Bee Heels ($385)

A closed-toe shoe with an open back and a platform sole, which is traditionally wood.

Isabel Marant Towson Leather and Wooden Clogs ($308)

A shoe with a low-cut front that chiefly grips the foot at the toe and the heel and typically has no fastenings.

Gianvito Rossi Mesh-Paneled Suede Pumps ($770)

A shoe with a low heel that is usually 1 to 2 inches.

J.Crew Slingback Kitten Heels ($278)

First worn by King Louis XIV of France to add height to his 5'3" stature, this shoe has a curved, medium-high heel.

L'autre Choes Suede Sandals ($225, originally $375)

A shoe with a thin, tapering heel with a medium to tall height.

Jimmy Choo Agnes pumps ($875)

A high-heel shoe with a thick sole under the front of the foot.

Charlotte Olympia Cindy Suede Platform Pumps ($795)

A shoe with a heel that extends from the ball to the back.

Stuart Weitzman Jean Wedges ($385)