FOOTWEAR AND ITS CLASSIFICATION

Sobur Ahmed, Asso. Professor, ILET, DU

Footwear:
Any foot covering in the form of shoes, boots, sandals, slippers or hoses used for utility and/or
dress wear is termed as footwear. The term ‘footwear’ should not synonymous with ‘shoes’,
which are simply one category of footwear. Footwear can be protective, accommodative,
functional, therapeutic, standard, decorative, or a combination. Any form of footwear made of
various kinds of materials or combination of materials like leather, canvas, rubber, textiles, wood
and synthetics to protect the foot from cold, heat, thorns, hazards etc. and to serve as a costume
in the form of sandal, shoe or boot.
Footwear is mainly two types- 1. Open type and 2. Close type footwear.
Close type footwear is also two types- a) Shoes and b) Boots
Any foot coverings with a sturdy sole are called footwear. In case of shoes, the topline is always
staying under the ankle bone, whereas in case of boot topline is always above the ankle bone.

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 Figure: Different Types of Footwear

Purpose of Footwear:
1. To protect the sole of the foot from the heat, cold, dampness, dirt or roughness of the
ground in walking and standing.
2. To protect the upper part of the foot, and, if required, the leg, from the cold, rain, thorns
and insects or other bites.
3. To provide comfort to the foot
4. To assist the foot to perform some abnormal task (e.g. occupational and safety footwear).
5. To overcome abnormalities in the foot itself.
6. To protect the foot against injury while walking, standing or working, etc.
7. To protect the foot against the cold and/ frostbite.
8. To protect the foot from dirt and moisture, acid, alkali, chemicals, etc.
9. To support the foot (sprain, civilized foot).
10. To give cushioning the step (walking on pavement, jogging, etc.)
11. To give outfit, stylish appearance and fashion context.

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 12. To provide special functions for sports.
13. To give satisfaction and comfort, durability and reliability to the user.
14. To meet the critical and specific requirements for special purpose.
15. To complete a costume.
16. To indicate rank or office.
17. To protect the foot from pollutants and contaminants.

Types of Footwear:
01. Open type: Chappal, Sandals, Slipper (Mule), Clogs, etc.
02. Closed type: Oxford, Brogue, Derby or Gibson, Monk, Casual, Boot, Court Shoe,
Sports shoe, etc.

Other closed footwear's are:

1) Running shoes.
2) Walking shoes.
3) Tennis shoes
4) Badminton shoes
5) Basket ball shoes
6) Field game shoes:
 Football shoes
 Hockey shoes
 Cricket shoes
 Boxing shoes

Basic style of Footwear:

Footwear is broadly classified into seven styles:
Derby:
o Most commonly used formal and casual shoes.
o A very wide range of styles can be derived from a
derby design.
o Unisex.

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 o Can be identified from following points-
 Quarter should be on the vamp.
 Lockstitch or stay stitch.
 The quarter can be opened till half of the
tread line.
 The vamp and tongue will be on the same line.

Oxford:
o Most widely used as formal shoes.
o Unisex.
o Quarter is locked at the vamp point and
hence opening of the quarter is limited.
o Has an independent tongue which is
stitched at the final stage of the upper.
o In most of the case vamp will be on the
quarter.

Court Shoe:
o Shoes for ladies formal and casual wear
o The top line will below the vamp point
o Can be made in different heel heights.

Slip on:
o Slip on is also called as pantafola and loafer.
o As the name indicates these shoes can be
slipped in and slipped out very easily.
o Does not have lace.
o Can be with or without elastic.
o Saddle is present in most of these designs.

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 Moccasin:
o The most comfortable shoe to wear
o Expensive as more leather is consumed.
o Formal and casual shoe.
o Bottom will be covered with upper leather at the
fore part.
o Hand stitching given a good appearance.

Sports Shoe:
 The upper should be of mash materials with a
lot of appliques.
 It’s a hybrid of derby and oxford shoe but the
back height should be more than the
oxford/derby shoe (minimum 20-27 mm).
 The topline of the sports shoe should be of
bagged topline due to cushioning effect.
 It should be flexible.
 It should be made of light weight material.
 There should be no heel or wedge sole.
 Long tongue, padded topline/bagged topline for making
 Insocks and topline will be cushioned, flexible
 Insole and sole should be flexible.
Boot:
o Casual shoes popular among kids and
Teenagers.
o Different types of boots are Ankle Boot,
High boot, knee boot and thigh boot.

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Sandals:
 Popular unisex footwear which is very
comfortable.
 The foot is free the toe and heel.
 The sandals serves according to the specific
needs as the length can be adjusted with the
help of buckle.

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