Chukka, ankle boots, oxfords ... Many models of shoes have a rather long and interesting history, but it is not easy for a Russian to understand their names and features. We selected the most popular models with unusual names for the ear to tell us more about them.
Ankle boots are a style of women's footwear that sits somewhere between a dress shoe and a boot. They don't cover the calf, reaching only to the ankle, hence the common name "ankle boots."
Ankle boots are low and moderately high, with lace and zippers, low heels and high, decorated with bows, fur, buckles, rhinestones and simply strict. They can be worn with completely different clothes: with a skirt, for example, with a short or pencil skirt, and tight tights, with tight trousers or jeans, even with evening dresses and business suits. Ankle boots with a coat will look great.
Brogues: These are perforated shoes whose uppers are typically made up of several sections. They are typically men's footwear, but there are also models tailored to fit the slender feet of women. Brogues are believed to have been invented by Irish farmers as early as the seventeenth century.
Driving flocks of sheep through humid terrain, shepherds were faced with the fact that water constantly fell into their boots. So that the shoes would soon dry out and easily aerate, one such shepherd also thought of making holes in it. Gradually, the brogues migrated to the shoe wardrobe of the aristocrats, who began to wear them while playing golf. Over time, the perforation began to take shape and turned into a kind of decor. At the request of Edward, the Prince of Wales and the brother of King George VI, a cutting head in the form of the letter W appeared in the brogues. Depending on the area of the perforated surface, full brogues, half-brogues and quarter-brogues are distinguished. It is recommended to wear this type of shoe with informal clothes, as it is believed that any perforation deprives the shoes of officiality.
Gladiators - A type of summer women's shoes, in a modern version, representing flat sandals with an open toe and a large number of straps. There is also a variety of gladiators - an elongated model to about the middle of the ankle, or even higher, more reminiscent of ancient Roman shoes. One way or another, wearing gladiators is not always recommended, as their flat sole is unfavorable for the foot. But more modern options like gladiators on the platform or on the heel are very welcome.
Deserts are considered the most versatile autumn shoes. These are ankle-high boots made of suede, usually with rubber soles and several holes for threading the laces. The history of the creation of deserts dates back to Nathan Clark from the founders of the British shoe brand Clarks. In the early fifties of the last century, he developed a universal model, based on the samples that he found on the market in Cairo. These were suede boots with rubber soles, which allowed these shoes to remain light and flexible. Deserts quickly fell in love with the British, who nicknamed them “desert boots” because they were ideal even for the desert. Deserts can be worn with almost all things, with the possible exception of business suits, as these shoes more likely create a bohemian and informal look. There are female models.
Derby - shoes with open lacing, in which the upper parts of the boot are pulled together without crossing, and the berets are sewn on top of the vamp. In terms of compatibility with other wardrobe items, derby suits both informal walks and the office. In Britain, the derby is often called the “Bluchers” - in honor of Marshal Blucher, whose troops participated in the Battle of Waterloo. According to historical records, his army’s soldiers wore open-laced boots.
Loafers - these are women's or men's shoes, similar to moccasins in the modern sense of the word (soft shoes made of suede or leather without laces and fasteners, but with a long tongue and flat sole). Loafers differ from moccasins mainly by the presence of a wider sole, sometimes even with a small heel. Another feature is the presence of leather brushes that perform an exclusively decorative function. In the fifties, Gucci fashion house began selling loafers with a gold-plated jumper buckle, which became the brand name of the brand. Loafers are very practical and are considered less formal than laced shoes.
Monkey - Men's shoes that lack lacing, but have one or two buckles. The name translates from English as “monastic straps”, since the buckles resemble the fastening on the shoes of monks. Monks are considered practical shoes. They are worn with narrowed, slightly short trousers so that they do not cling to the edges of the buckles. Monks go very well with a blazer.
Mules are a style of elegant women's shoes with a heel, no back, and a closed, pointed toe. The name comes from the Latin word "mulleus," meaning "thinker." In ancient Rome, shoes vaguely resembling modern mules were worn by learned men, for whom this was considered a privilege. Modern mules may feature an open toe and a small platform, resembling clogs. Mules are often decorated with rhinestones, studs, lacing, and sequins. In the mid-20th century, due to the abundance of rhinestones and feathers, mules were considered impractical and even frivolous, and were worn only by Hollywood actresses. However, in the 1990s, designers revived this style, creating new variations on the established foundation. Now, depending on the style, mules are considered footwear for all occasions: they can be worn from the office to a party.
Mary Jane: so-called women's shoes with a strap on the rise and most often with a rounded toe, with or without heels. The name comes from the American comic strip Buster Brown of the beginning of the 20 century, in which a heroine named Mary Jane wore these shoes. At first, Mary Jane shoes were a child’s model: they were produced by the Brown Shoe Company, the creator of which signed a contract with the author of the comic to use the name “Buster Brown” in their advertising campaigns. Since then, Mary Jane has become the girls' favorite shoe. Now this style can be transformed into anything - into wedge sandals, ballet shoes, and boats. They are worn with dresses and skirts, which gives the look a retro effect.
Oxfords are considered the most formal of all men's shoes. Unlike derbies, they feature closed lacing, where two drawstrings are sewn together at the bottom of the vamp, creating a horizontal seam. In Britain, so-called Balmorals, which predate the Oxford, are still worn. The name "Oxford" comes from Oxford University, where this shoe was at the height of fashion in the early nineteenth century. Classic colors for this style are brown and black. Oxfords are also popular with women: these styles are often decorated with sequins, rhinestones, and studs. They can be flat or heeled.
Originally, slippers were the house shoes of London aristocrats. They were worn by Robert Kennedy, Steve McQueen, and Winston Churchill. Slippers are men's or women's semi-closed, flat shoes with a tongue on the instep, soft and comfortable. Originally made of fabric, they are now available in velvet, suede, and leather with a variety of trims. Today, slippers are considered a versatile style, meaning they can be worn with anything. Just be sure not to wear socks underneath or pair them with pajama-style bottoms, as this can create a homely look.
Top-siders (from the English word "topside"), or "boat shoes," are another type of moccasin. Sperry Top-Sider invented this model in 1935 as footwear for wearing on yacht decks. Their origins explain their characteristic white soles, which don't leave marks on light-colored surfaces. Legend has it that the inspiration for Top-siders came from a Cocker Spaniel walking on ice: this supposedly inspired the ribbed sole, which prevents slippage on decks when the boat heels heavily. Top-siders are made of suede and leather, and their distinctive feature is a four-eyelet front lacing that also runs along the entire heel. There are both men's and women's models. Top-siders are typically worn without socks, and as a summer shoe, they pair well with a T-shirt, shorts, or rolled-up jeans, creating a relaxed style.
Chelsea boots are ankle-length or slightly higher boots with a tapered toe. Their distinctive feature is the elasticated shaft, making them easy to put on and take off. It was for this feature that Queen Victoria fell in love with Chelsea boots, receiving a pair as a gift for horseback riding in 1837. Following her, other female equestrians began wearing Chelsea boots. This traditionally feminine footwear quickly moved beyond equestrian use and became a staple of men's wardrobes. The Beatles, the "Fab Four," even refined the Chelsea boot into their own so-called "Beatle Boot," adding slightly higher heels to the classic Chelsea boot.
Chukka: Shoe experts believe there's no significant difference between chukkas and desert boots. However, this model does have some subtle differences: chukkas have more eyelets, are higher, and have a rubber or leather sole. The quirky name of this shoe comes from the game of polo: the term "chukka" refers to the smallest section of the game. This model helps create a casual style and is considered quite versatile.
Espadrilles are lightweight summer shoes with rope soles made of a natural, dense fabric, such as linen or cotton. They were invented by Catalan peasants in the early thirteenth century. The French word "espadrilles" refers to a type of grass used to make rope and cordage, and from which peasants wove the soles of their shoes. Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, as well as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, have all been spotted wearing espadrilles. Incidentally, these actresses are credited with introducing espadrilles to film. Shoemaker Manolo Blahnik began his career embellishing espadrilles made by his parents. Espadrilles gained fame after a Yves Saint Laurent fashion show in the 1960s, which catapulted them into popularity. Today, espadrilles come in a wide variety of styles: flat, wedge, heeled, open, and semi-closed. The main benefit of espadrilles is that they allow your feet to breathe and pair perfectly with any summer outfit. However, recently, this style has fallen victim to convention: some fashionistas believe that espadrilles are unsuitable for men and are inappropriate for the city.
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