The 18 types of women's footwear (and when to wear each one)

High or low-heeled shoes, stilettos, sneakers, ankle boots, boots, sandals with or without platforms, of black color, of light tones; patent leather. In short, there are so many alternatives that women's footwear presents that there is not a woman who can resist a few pairs of shoes and surely there are more than pair in the closet, this feminine garment is the essential complement in a look spectacular.

Women's footwear has been an object of worship in women's fashion, it has the great power to stand out above the wardrobe and is capable by itself of dressing a woman. The choice of women's footwear is not just anything, it is a decision that is made according to the wardrobe, the occasion and the time, so it should not be taken lightly.

Reason why in this article We will tell you about all the types of female footwear that exist and on what occasions you can wear them.

Origin of shoes

Have you ever thought about where the female shoe comes from? How were the first shoes? To answer this and other questions, let's talk a little about the history of footwear. The shoe has existed for a few centuries, over time its shape has changed, as has its functionality, the aesthetic aspect being the most outstanding currently, but let's start with the beginning.

Thousands of years ago (records indicate that 15,000 years ago in prehistory), a man wanted to cover himself the feet to protect them from the overwhelming cold that prevailed in their place, helping them in the same way to move best. Therefore, he wrapped his feet in a dead animal skin for that purpose. With the passage of time, the human being looked for better alternatives to cover them, in that search they ran into the leather and vegetable fibers, which provided greater comfort, greater security and were fastened to the foot with strips of esparto.

Evolution of the hunted

This ‘first shoe’ was evolving as the human being began to discover his intelligence and to put it into operation, already that footwear did not have a greater focus on protection but was beginning to be part of aesthetics and therefore, a reflection of the social status, being wealthy and important people who distinguished themselves with their shoes full of colors and materials exclusive.

The Romans began to use some species of sandals tied to the legs that became a fundamental piece of Roman costumes. At the end of the 4th century, the barbarians promoted rough footwear, which was made from animal skins. Later the Carolingians put their stamp on the history of footwear by wearing a type of leggings or boots that left the toes exposed.

Pointed shoes appeared in the Middle Ages, in the Renaissance gave rise to the wide shoes called ‘bear's paw’. For the seventeenth century, footwear with high heels arrived that at first were of a height that made it difficult to walk with them. Today women's footwear has become a fashion industry, with a wide variety of styles for every occasion.

Types of women's footwear (and when to wear each)

Women love to combine shoes with the look they want to use, depending of course on the occasion, find out below all types of footwear and their uses.

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1. High heels

Heels are an important part of a woman's wardrobe, these shoes stylize the legs making the female figure more slender. They should be worn at events where ball gowns are required. As in the case of weddings, quinceañeras, anniversary parties, awards ceremony or important dinners.

They are also often used with less formal dresses during the day, to go to work, a work meeting or a business lunch. This gives it an elegant feature.

2. Low heel shoes

They are ideal for use during the day, as they offer elegance and comfort at the same time. You can use them to go to the office, the bank or to run errands; They can also be used to go to lunch with friends or family or for less formal gatherings either day or night. They are perfectly combined with short dresses, jeans, casual pants and shorts.

3. Platform shoes

They can be worn during the day as they are very comfortable, they are ideal for shopping, an outing with friends, a romantic dinner, school meetings, going for a walk or visiting the doctor. They can transform a simple look into a casual and a bit daring alternative, they are worn with skirts, short dresses, long casual dresses and pants.

4. Flip flops

They are in great demand in the taste of women, they come in varieties of models and colors. Some can be worn to gala events with long dresses, while others are for daily use to go to work or do everyday activities. The sandals with platforms stylize the legs and highlight the body of the woman, they can be used both day and night only for semi-formal meetings.

There are both high-heeled sandals and flat heels and it is precisely because of this characteristic that they are highly valued, since they can offer elegance on any occasion.

5. Mules shoes

Footwear with pointed or square toe exposed, the heel is open and covers either totally or partially the foot and does not have bras. They are recommended for an informal event or casual gatherings either during the day or in the afternoon.

It is strictly forbidden to use it in formal events and if it is worn with long dresses, it must be in cocktail-type events.

6. Gladiator sandals

They are of informal use, they are flat heels to the ground with straps that can be tied at the legs, a heritage from ancient Rome. They are recommended for attending classes, going out for coffee or informal outdoor parties. They can be combined with jeans, shorts, short skirts and long casual dresses.

7. Peep Toes Shoes

They are those women's shoes that have an opening at the tip that reveals the toes. They can be worn in formal meetings, if it is of an elegant model. There are also more casual ones that can be worn to carry out daily activities.

8. Loafers or moccasins

They are a very casual type of female footwear, ideal for running errands that do not require the use of heels, they are very comfortable and make a simple look somewhat more sophisticated. They are combined with pants, skirts and short dresses.

9. Sneakers

In general, tennis (sports shoes, or 'bambas' in Spain) are usually used to do sports, but since fashion is so changeable it is common to see them being part of a very relaxed outfit with jeans and flannels. Although sometimes there are girls who use them with office clothes, giving it an original and different touch.

10. Boots

It is an essential piece in the female closet, they come in different models and colors, with high heels or short and with a height that can vary below and above the knees or up to the middle of the thigh. They can be the ideal complement for a casual party look or for a more important event. They can be worn with leggings, jeans, dress pants, skirts, and dresses.

11. Ankle boots

They are a type of boots that only cover the foot up to the ankle, it comes in a variety of models, materials and colors. They are to be used in informal meetings and in some cases, depending on the type of material and according to the size of the heel, they are used in formal meetings but not for etiquette. It is to break a bit with the formality of an outfit while still being well regarded.

12. Sandals without heel

Also called flip-flops in some countries, they are the complement of a youthful and informal outfit, their use is mainly for outdoor meetings, casual outings or for day to day. For example, they are used to go to the beach, the cinema, shopping or taking a walk in the park.

13. Jelly beans sandals

They are a type of footwear only exclusive for the beach or pool, it is made of plastic, which makes them ideal to get into the sea with it.

14. Slippers

Slippers are a type of footwear that resemble slippers at home, they are usually always flat and open at the top. It is an excellent option to go to the office with a good outfit, to go to dinner and for parties with friends.

15. Mary Jane shoes

It is a type of shoe with a closed front and a strap that fastens. High or low-heeled, it can be worn on any occasion as there are endless materials, color and texture.

16. D'Orsay shoes

They are a very comfortable shoe with high heels, covered heel, with a strip covering the beginning of the toes and the rest of the foot in the air and without support, there are also closed from the middle of the foot forward and with a strip that crosses it from side to side and holds the foot by behind. They are the ideal complement for a party or gala celebration.

17. Espadrilles

They are sneakers with a fabric covered esparto sole, they are ideal for a sporty look, with which you can go to eat, go out for a walk and for celebrations with friends. Ideal to combine with jeans, short dresses, long sports dresses, shorts or skirts.

18. Crocs

It is a variety of Swedish sandals with perforations on the upper part that are fastened by the ankle, they are ideal to wear on the beach and to walk in a shopping center. The best thing is that they come with prints, bright colors or decorations according to the taste of each woman.

Care and conservation of women's footwear

To keep the shoes in good condition you must take into consideration some tips that we show you below.

• Air them out for a couple of hours after use.

• Clean them before storing them, wipe them with a damp cloth and once a week polish them with some shoe cream.

• If possible place them in their own box and then store them.

• If the footwear is made of leather, they must be polished with a cream periodically so that they do not crack.

• The use of lasts is recommended so that the shoes do not deform, especially the high boots.

Women's footwear is an essential complement to give life to an outfit, as long as the shoes are in accordance with the clothes and with the event. You cannot wear high heels with a sports jumpsuit or tennis shoes with a ball gown.