January 1st, 2010 by Jayde Johannsen

When it comes to womens shoes there are some looks that never really go out of style. For the amateur shoe-buyer, or fanatic in the making, it is good to have an idea of what you are looking for by paying attention to some classic shoe styles. Starting with this guide will have you on your way to being a shoe connoisseur in no time!

With womens shoes the style most commonly heard is definitely the pump. What exactly a pump is may be a bit of a loose definition, but in short, the back of the shoe is closed, the front is low-cut, and they are above all, defined by a “high heel.” The classic image of a womens formal shoe is defined by this shape.

In contrast a ballerina flat is a shoe that is heelless, and resembles a ballerina’s slipper. This gives them their other commonly used name, the ballerina flat. A flat is a shoe that is closed both at the back and the front, and is low-cut on the top.

A bit less delicate than the previous two styles, clogs are womens shoes that are open at the back and closed at the front for easy slip-on usage. Clogs and mules are terms often used interchangeably; however, the clog traditionally has a platform style heel, and was traditionally made of wood.

Traditionally of Spanish origin, espadrilles are shoes which have woven or canvas fabric on the upper part of the shoe, and a sole woven of rope or grass.

Dating back to the time of King Louis XIV of France, the French heel was the style he wore to add to his just-above 5-foot stature. These shoes are notable for their curved heels of medium height.

Huaraches were traditionally handmade sandals, and today maintain a woven quality. This traditional Mexican shoe is today made of a number of materials including leather and rubber, and they are worn for their comfort, slip-on ease, and durability.

A kitten heel refers not only to the size but the placement of the heel. These are short heels, rising between one and two inches, and are placed in the center of the heel of the shoe.

A Mary Jane style shoe is characterized by the strap, usually a buckle that crossed over the top of the foot. The toe of a Mary Jane is generally rounded, and the heel is either flat or a bulky platform.

Oxford shoes are traditionally considered men’s shoes, but any shoe that laces up and is formal in style can be considered an Oxford shoe.

Peep-toe shoes and open-toe shoes are quite similar, however, the difference is that with a peep-toe shoe a very small hole exposes the toes in the front, while an open-toe shoe exposes the entire toe line.

Notable from the seventies, platform shoes are shoes that are notably thicker at the part of the sole directly below the toes and ball of the foot. Although many people refer to platform shoes as shoes with a thick heel, a true platform describes only the forward portion of the sole’s thickness.

A slide is a shoe that slips on and off, and is open at the back and front. A slide is held onto the foot only by a thin piece or several pieces of material which stretch just below the toes and over the top of the foot. A true slide has no other straps.

A sling-back shoe features a strap which wraps around the back of the heel or ankle, and helps to hold the shoe in place. A true sling-back has the strap connected to the base of the shoe, and not connected to any other feature.

A stacked heel gives the appearance of being constructed of stacked pieces of a material, usually wood, to create height.

When a high heel is characteristically thin, tall, spiky, and pointy it is known as a stiletto heel.

A wedge shoe has a sole in the shape of a wedge, with the smallest part beginning behind the toes and extending up the length of the heel.

Jayde Johannsen adores her shoes so much she launched the Women’s Shoes website to help others who share the same obsession. Currently she is looking for women’s running shoes.