When it comes to women’s shoes, there are some styles that never go out of style. For the hobby shoe shopper, or budding fan, it’s good to get an idea of ​​what you’re looking for by paying attention to a few classic shoe styles. Getting started with this guide will have you becoming a shoe expert in no time!

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

At the opposite end of the spectrum are shots, or ballerina shots as they are sometimes called. With the basic look of a ballerina slipper, these shoes have no heel, are typically closed to the toe, and are either low-cut, or show much of the top of the foot.

Slightly less delicate than the previous two styles, clogs are women’s shoes that are open at the back and closed at the front for ease of wear. 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 with woven fabric or canvas uppers, and a woven rope or grass sole.

French heels, of somewhat historical origin, date back to King Louis XIV of France, who was only 5 feet 3 inches tall. His special style of footwear became a fashion trend and finally landed firmly in women’s clothing. These shoes are characterized by curved mid-height heels.

The name Huaraches once referred only to traditional handmade sandals of Mexican origin, but today it can cover any type of leather or rubber construction that features a sturdy design and woven materials. These shoes are slip-on style and stand out for their comfort and durability.

When a shoe has a small heel, it means the heel is low, usually 2 inches or less, and is located in the middle of the heel of the shoe.

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

Oxford shoes are traditionally considered men’s shoes, but any lace-up, formal-style shoe can be considered an Oxford shoe.

When a small cutout in the front of a shoe allows a bit of the toe to show through, it is known as a peep-toe shoe. This is different from an open toe shoe that allows most of the toes to show.

Platform shoes, while commonly believed to be defined by the heel, are actually defined by the part of the sole below the toes. Any shoe with a bit of a lift due to the sole being thicker under the sole is known as a platform shoe. Platform shoes were especially popular in the 1970s with both men and women.

When a shoe is referred to as a slide, it is a slip-on shoe that features open toes and an open back. Just below the toes, the shoe will have a strap or straps designed to hold the shoe in place; however, there are no toe or ankle straps on a true slide.

A slingback shoe is any shoe that has a strap that wraps around the back of the heel or ankle, where the strap connects to the sole of the shoe.

When a heel is said to be a stacked heel, the heel has the appearance of stacked pieces of wood or other material giving the effect of height.

Stiletto heels have thin, pointed, and pointed heels, and are characterized by height.