10 Shoe Models to Know About

As the saying goes, shoemakers are often the worst shod. Unless you are in this magnificent profession, then there is no excuse for not having the right pair of shoes on your feet. We agree, there are a multitude of types and shapes of shoes. Enough, moreover, for most of us to no longer know the difference between Derby and Oxford or between Desert and Chukka boots.

There are more dramatic things, we grant you, but in order not to be lost and see a little more clearly, we have made a small recap of the 10 types of shoes to know and recognize.

1. The Oxford

The Oxford is a shoe similar to the derby, the difference between these two models is in the lacing. On the Oxford, the lacing is of the “closed” type. The guarantors are as if imprisoned by the vamp which passes over it. This model of shoes has a V opening and a more elongated and more formal shape. The Oxford is available in a classic version, with a straight toe or flowered golf toe.

2. The Derby

This low shoe is one of the most popular and popular types of dress shoes. It has an “open” lacing mode, which means that the guards, pieces of leather on which the eyelets are located, are not locked in by the upper (the front part of the shoe). The Derby is available as a classic derby, with a straight toe cap and a floral golf toe cap.

3. Shoes with buckles

The first shoes with buckles date back to the Renaissance, from the 16th century. It is also an essential part of the men's costume of the 18th century. Originally flat and black shoes with a short tongue, they are immediately recognizable thanks to their buckles. If this type of closure was at one time only ornamental, the buckle is today a means of closure in its own right. It is also not uncommon to now see models with double or even triple loops.

4. Brogues

Brogues are shoes decorated with perforations. These low shoes are usually in brown tones and they are mounted on a wide sole. Of Irish or Scottish origin, they were initially used by farmers. They are most often Derby which have a "W" shaped yoke at the toe and which are decorated with perforations and serrations on the sides. But the brogue can also be an Oxford or a shoe with buckles. It is available in full-brogue (perforations going around the shoe), demi-brogue (perforations only on the front part) and quarter-brogue (perforations on a stretch).

5. Moccasins

The moccasin is a type of low, supple shoe made from leather or suede. It is said to be the oldest known shoe in the world and the first moccasins were discovered in prehistoric times in 3500 BC. There are different versions, the most common being a single piece of leather with a circular seam conforming to the shape of the toes on the front. The moccasin can be decorated with fringes or a tongue at the instep.

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6. Boats

These shoes owe their name to the fact that they were designed for sailors and sailors. This style of shoe resembles a moccasin with laces. Often navy blue or brown, they are made of leather, on a thin white sole with a lace that surrounds the entire shoe through eyelets (but it is no longer rare to see them mounted on a commando sole). Today, boats are considered dress shoes, it is also a symbol of preppy style.

7. The Deserts boots

Desert boots are a type of ankle boot traditionally made from suede. It was created by the Clarks family in 1949. Inspiration came from the shoes that officers wore in Burma during World War II. This shoe is mounted on a flexible and comfortable crepe sole (a kind of granular rubber), sewn Goodyear style (most of the time) and has a rounded toe. To make no more mistakes between Desert and Chukka boots, we invite you to read our article on the subject!

8. The Chukka boots

These boots, also called turf boots, owe their names to the polo shirt, the word Chukka denoting a break from the sport. It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between Chukka and Desert boots because the two models are very similar. The main difference is in the sole. In crepe on the Desert, it is in leather or rubber on the Chukka. In smooth leather or suede, they usually have two or three pairs of eyelets at the lacing. More elegant, they have a less casual style than the Desert boots.

9. The Chelsea boots

The Chelsea boots are a model of ankle boots without laces but with wide elastic bands on the sides. They appeared at the end of the 19th century during the Victorian era and were initially used in the field of horse riding. They were also very popular with English officers in the Chelsea district, hence their name. The classic model is often in shiny black leather with a slightly rounded pointed toe.

10. The boots

The term boots cover several types and styles of footwear. Whether with or without laces, in leather or suede, with thin or wide soles, boots are above all high shoes. Between the low shoe and the boot, the boots go up above the ankle. The classic models are brown or black, in smooth leather and with laces.