Types of shoes

Many different aspects are taken into account when dividing shoes into various types. According to the purpose of wearing footwear is divided into dress and casual shoes, work boots and athletic footwear. According to the sex of the wearer there distinguished men's, women's or unisex shoes. According to the shape of the last shoes can be slip lasted, board lasted or combination lasted. In slip lasted shoes, for example, a sewn seam runs the length of the shoe. Most of such shoes are flexible but less stable. It is a good construction for feet with high arches. In board lasted shoes a cardboard board runs the length of the shoe. Such shoes are very stable but less flexible. It is a good construction for flatter feet. And at least combination lasted shoes represent the combination of cardboard in the rear half, and a seam up the front half. This type of shoes is more flexible than board lasted shoes, and more stable than slip lasted shoes.

Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.

Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.

Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed. Balmorals, for example, are closed with the vamp having a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the Balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.

Bluchers, in their turn, are closed with the laces tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.

Men’s shoes can be also closed with a buckle and strap instead of lacing. Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways. They can have either plain- or cap-toes. Plain-toes have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp whereas cap-toes have an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration. Among other decorations are Brogues (American: wing-tips). In this type of decoration the toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles.

There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are pumps, high heels and sneakers.

Pumps, known also as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.

High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.

Sneaker boot and sneaker pump is a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.

There are also shoes worn by either gender. The most famous of these are moccasins, sandals and boots.

3. Make up a plan of the text.

4. Translate the paragraph in italics in a written form.

5. Questions for discussion:

1. What aspects are taken into account when dividing shoes into various types?

2. What can you tell about different last shapes?

3. What are the main features of dress shoes?

4. What parameters characterize casual shoes?

5. What does the word “apertures” mean in the text?

6. What main closures of men’s shoes do you know?

7. What decorations of men’s shoes toes do you know?

8. How can you categorize the high heels group?

9. How is sneaker differed from an athletic shoe?

10. What types of footwear are worn by either gender?

6. Render the text in brief in a written form.

TEXT C

1. Mind the following words and word-combinations:

   1. luxuries – розкіш

   2. preference – перевага

   3. femininity – жіночість

   4. outfit – наряд

   5. taupe – сіро-коричневий, темно сірий

   6. option – вибір

   7. peep-toe – відрізний носок

   8. slingback – задник на ремінці

   9. flip-flops – в’єтнамки, шльопанці, сандалі, які тримаються на нозі за рахунок перетинки між великим і вказівним пальцем

   10. skim – плівка, тонкий шар гуми на клеєпромазувальній машині

   11. flat boot – чобіт на плоскій підошві, без каблука

   12. gorgeous – шикарний

2. Listen to the text “TOP TYPES OF WOMEN’S SHOES” and decide if the statements are true or false:

1. High heeled peep-toe shoes can be worn every day to the office.

2. The square toe gives a shoe a touch of femininity.

3. Neutral kitten heel shoe can be worn with either slacks or dress.

4. A low-heeled summer sandal is a must.

5. High heel tall boots are easy to walk in on icy sidewalks.

3. Listen to the text again and be ready to answer the questions:

1. What types of shoes should be in a woman’s wardrobe?

2. What type of shoe is a great option for dressing up?