List of Shoe Styles
If you are looking for a particular type of shoes, you will find it here.
Once you understand the differences between the footwear options available, you will be better equipped to find the perfect pair of shoes!
20 Different Types of Footwear for Women
How many shoes should you have in your closet? There’s no perfect answer. It all depends on your lifestyle. Some people can survive with a capsule closet with a handful of shoes. Other people need a new style for every occasion.
Before building your dream closet, you need to know the different types of footwear for women. There are 20 different types of shoes that you’ll find from almost every brand. They cover all the bases – from wedding guest footwear to sneakers that will take you from the office to the gym.
1. Ankle Boots
These boots were made for walking – and that’s just what they’ll do. Ankle boots are the most wearable boots you can add to your closet. You can style them with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a dress with tights. Ankle boots are universally flattering with their short shaft and the option of a flat sole or block heel.
2. Ballet flats
Ballet flats embody the idea of Parisian chic. They’re lightweight shoes that are typically made of leather, giving you an understated but elegant look. These shoes have evolved from the classic pointe shoes worn by ballerinas. Every fashion brand from Chanel to H&M has ballet flats in their permanent collection.
3. Brogue Shoes
While brogue shoes are typically considered menswear shoes, they’re becoming more unisex with every season. Brogues are low-heeled shoes with leather uppers that feature a broguing decoration along the edges. What makes brogue shoes unique is their vintage-inspired look that is versatile enough to wear every day.
4. Boat Shoes
Some women’s footwear is seasonal, including boat shoes. These shoes are typically made with canvas or leather and have a slip-on silhouette. You’ll usually wear these without socks, and they’re designed to keep your feet protected, whether you’re on land or at sea.
5. Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots are western-inspired shoes that were originally designed for horse riding before evolving into mid-height boots. Most cowboy boots are made with leather and incorporate distressing and heritage stitch patterning.
6. Clogs
Clogs began as shoes made using wood for agriculture working before becoming rooted in the tradition of tap dancing. The classic clogs style has evolved into the best-selling crocs that are everywhere you look this season.
7. Court Heels
Court heels – also known as pumps – are minimalistic heels that don’t have a fastening. The name derives from the fact these shoes made their first appearance in royal courts. Their plain silhouettes make them the perfect investment purchase to incorporate into your workwear closet or save for a special occasion.
8. Espadrilles
Espadrilles top the list of summer shoes for women. Brands like Gucci and Chanel have brought the humble loafer back into style. They’re a casual shoe that features a rope sole and typically a canvas or cotton upper. These shoes are an alternative to sandals and are available in a wedge-shaped silhouette, made famous by Yves Saint Laurent.
9. Flip Flops
Flip flops are lightweight sandals usually made with rubber or plastic. The silhouette features a thong that sits between your first and second toe with a y-shaped strap.
10. Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are waterproof shoes designed for outdoor activities, such as walking and climbing. These durable boots are made with comfort in mind to protect your feet and ankles while traveling long distances.
11. High-Top Sneakers
High-top sneakers are casual shoes that feature a higher shaft. The most popular high-top sneakers are the Nike Air Forces with a lace-up silhouette.
12. Kitten Heels
Kitten heels give you the sophistication of a stiletto without the discomfort of an arch heel. It first rose to popularity thanks to Audrey Hepburn and is a feminine style that blends comfort with elegance. A kitten heel typically has a heel of 1 to 2 inches and made its debut in the late 1950s.
13. Knee-High Boots
Knee-high boots feature a long shaft that partly or fully covers your knee. They’re popular during colder weather and make your legs appear longer and slimmer as a flattering silhouette.
14. Loafers
A loafer is as comfortable as your favorite slippers but as elegant as ballet flats. These shoes started as workwear before evolving into everyday style. They have a similar silhouette to Oxfords but without the laces. This slip-on silhouette comes in a variety of styles, from tasseled to penny loafers and horse-bit shoes.
15. Oxford Shoes
Oxford shoes are like brogue shoes but feature shoelace eyelets under the vamp. They began as plain formal shoes made of leather before evolving into a variety of styles, including more casual options. Oxford shoes have become increasingly more unisex with feminine options usually incorporating vintage-inspired detailing and featuring muted colors.
16. Peep-toe Shoes
A peep-toe is a shoe that features an open-toe box and varies in style from slingbacks to pumps. The shoes originated in the 1940s before making a comeback in the 1990s. These shoes are a more seductive alternative to classic court shoes.
17. Platform Heels
A platform shoe features a thick sole, usually between 3 and 10cms. Most platform shoes have a high heel, although some can be a boot or sandal style. Platform heels can be tricky to walk in due to the way it arches your foot. These shoes are popular for clubbing and going out.
18. Slingbacks
Slingbacks are a type of heel that features an ankle strap along the back and sides of the ankle. Most slingbacks feature a short kitten heel and have low vamp fronts. The most iconic slingbacks as Chanel’s two-tone style but you’ll find hundreds of interpretations of the look.
19. Slippers
Every closet needs a pair of cozy slippers to wear at home. These are the shoes you’ll slip into after work or on a lazy weekend. Slippers are indoor shoes that protect your feet from the cold and typically have a soft texture insole.
20. Sneakers
Sneakers are a casual athleisure sneaker that has evolved beyond gym attire to everyday footwear. The shoes were made popular by brands like Conserve and Nike, who each put their own twist on the silhouette. Sneakers are designed to support your feet, whether you’re running or working out.