Clothing guide

Types of shoes: pumps, loafers, boots and more

Three things set shoes apart: the upper (closed, open, strappy, laced), the heel and the shaft height. Heel types have their own section.

Below are the types of shoes drawn from the side. Each page covers how to recognise them, where they come from, who and when they suit, what to pair them with.

High heelsHigh heels are shoes with a heel that raises the back of the foot above the front; the name usually means shoes with a heel of 5 cm or more.PumpsPumps are closed shoes with no straps or laces, a low-cut upper and a heel, usually with a pointed or round toe.SlingbacksSlingbacks are closed-toe shoes with an open back held by a strap behind the heel.Mary JanesMary Janes are closed-toe shoes with a strap across the instep, fastened with a button or buckle.MulesMules are backless shoes: the front is closed or open and the back is bare, so you slip them on without hands.SandalsSandals are open summer shoes held on the foot by straps, with a flat sole or a heel.EspadrillesEspadrilles are light summer shoes with a canvas upper and a jute rope sole, flat or on a wedge.Ballet flatsBallet flats are light, flat shoes with a very low-cut upper, often with a small bow at the front.LoafersLoafers are closed, laceless slip-on shoes with a low heel, often with a strap or metal trim across the instep.MoccasinsMoccasins are soft, slip-on shoes without a hard heel, whose leather wraps the foot from below and is stitched on top with a U-shaped seam.Oxford shoesOxfords are classic lace-up shoes with closed lacing: the eyelet panels are stitched under the vamp.Derby shoesDerbies are lace-up shoes with open lacing: the eyelet panels are sewn on top of the vamp and can open out.SneakersSneakers are comfortable rubber-soled shoes, usually laced, made for sport and everyday wear.Chelsea bootsChelsea boots are ankle boots with elastic side panels and a pull tab at the back, slipped on without laces.Ankle bootsAnkle boots are boots whose shaft ends at or just above the ankle, with or without a heel, often zipped.Knee-high bootsKnee-high boots have a shaft up to or just below the knee, with or without a heel, usually zipped on the inside.Cowboy bootsCowboy boots are tall leather boots with a pointed toe, a slanted Cuban heel and decorative stitching on the shaft.Combat bootsCombat boots are sturdy lace-up boots with a thick, lugged sole, rising above the ankle.

How to choose

For work: pumps, loafers, oxfords, slingbacks.
Every day: ballet flats, sneakers, mules, Chelsea boots.
For summer: sandals, espadrilles, mules.
For winter: ankle boots, tall boots, lined combat boots.

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Questions and answers

Frequently asked

01What are the types of shoes?

High heels, pumps, ballet flats, loafers, moccasins, oxfords, derbies, Mary Janes, slingbacks, mules, sandals, espadrilles, sneakers, Chelsea, ankle, knee-high, cowboy and combat boots.

02What is the difference between oxfords and derbies?

Oxfords have closed lacing, derbies open lacing.

03Which shoes are right for work?

Low-heeled pumps, loafers, oxfords or slingbacks.

04Which shoes are most comfortable all day?

Loafers, sneakers, Chelsea boots and shoes with a block heel up to 5 cm.

How to choose

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