I wear shoes. Most everyone I know wears shoes. Like many women, I hold a certain fondness for shoes. I have even bought shoes before that I loved so much I threatened to sleep in them. Most think that men wear shoes out of necessity, but I have known men that have the same appreciation and love for nicely made shoes bordering on the verge of obsession.
But, how much do you really know about what you are putting on your feet? Have you ever seen a pair of shoes that someone was wearing and loved them? So, you set out on a quest to find that pair of shoes. Sure, you knew the color and the basic style, but other than that you were clueless. When trying to describe these shoes to a salesperson, you can only come up with terms like the color, the heel size and maybe the material from which the shoe was made.
Well, your shoe terminology is about to exceed that of some that work in the shoe industry. Each week, I will be posting a shoe term glossary that will help you describe that long sought after pair of shoes. In each post, I will cover a letter of the alphabet in a glossary format including terms used throughout the shoe industry. This post will consist of terms starting with the letter A. So, let’s get started in improving our shoe IQ.
A
Aglet – The plastic covering or sheath at the end of shoe laces, making it easier to lace shoes and prevent the string from unraveling. Historically, aglets were much more decorative in the past than today where the aglet serves as only a functional component.
Algonquin Toe - A term used to describe two pieces of leather joined together at the shoes front center part of the shoe (Vamp) and the strip of leather between the upper and the sole (Welt). Named after the Algonquin Indian Tribe, who in the Eighteenth Century is responsible for this design. Also referred to as a Split Toe.
Alligator Leather – A reptile hide either natural or man-made with a wide boxed print.
Alum Tanning – A process which is not actually a tanning process because it doesn’t use tannic acids. Uses aluminum salts and a variety protein binders such as egg yolk. The leather processed this way will revert back to raw leather if the material is soaked in water long enough to remove the alum salts. This process produces very light leather but is not as supple as vegetable tanned leathers.
Aniline Leather – Process of taking a very high quality of leather and using aniline dyes that retains the texture and blemishes of the original leather.
Ankle Strap – A strap with and adjustable buckle or elastic attached at the rear of a shoe encircling the ankle.
Ankle Wrap – Straps that are long enough and meant to be tied around the ankle creating a stylish accent.
APMA – American Podiatric Medical Association includes top physicians in the study of feet and ankles. The APMA seal is used to educate both physicians and consumers on shoes that promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the areas of normal foot functioning and overall good health.
Apron Toe – A large material overlay that covers the toe of a shoe with a visible edge or stitching.
Arch – Large curved area of the foot between the ball of the foot and heel. Also, the part of the shoe referring the raised area of the insole that provides comfort and support.
Next week, I will be posting the glossary as it relates to terms starting with the letter B. I hope you find some of the terms useful and the next time you shop for shoes you can make a more informed decision on which shoes to purchase. When looking at shoes online at HouserShoes.com, you are sure to find name brand shoes with the elements mentioned in this glossary. If you have any questions about shoes you are considering from HouserShoes.com or any part of those shoes, the Customer Service Reps with HouserShoes.com are very well versed in shoes and the terminology, and will be happy to answer your questions.
So, stay tuned for next week when I cover all terms related to shoes and the letter B. If you have any terms that you would like to add or any that I may have left out, please let me know!
But, how much do you really know about what you are putting on your feet? Have you ever seen a pair of shoes that someone was wearing and loved them? So, you set out on a quest to find that pair of shoes. Sure, you knew the color and the basic style, but other than that you were clueless. When trying to describe these shoes to a salesperson, you can only come up with terms like the color, the heel size and maybe the material from which the shoe was made.
Well, your shoe terminology is about to exceed that of some that work in the shoe industry. Each week, I will be posting a shoe term glossary that will help you describe that long sought after pair of shoes. In each post, I will cover a letter of the alphabet in a glossary format including terms used throughout the shoe industry. This post will consist of terms starting with the letter A. So, let’s get started in improving our shoe IQ.
A
Aglet – The plastic covering or sheath at the end of shoe laces, making it easier to lace shoes and prevent the string from unraveling. Historically, aglets were much more decorative in the past than today where the aglet serves as only a functional component.
Algonquin Toe - A term used to describe two pieces of leather joined together at the shoes front center part of the shoe (Vamp) and the strip of leather between the upper and the sole (Welt). Named after the Algonquin Indian Tribe, who in the Eighteenth Century is responsible for this design. Also referred to as a Split Toe.
Alligator Leather – A reptile hide either natural or man-made with a wide boxed print.
Alum Tanning – A process which is not actually a tanning process because it doesn’t use tannic acids. Uses aluminum salts and a variety protein binders such as egg yolk. The leather processed this way will revert back to raw leather if the material is soaked in water long enough to remove the alum salts. This process produces very light leather but is not as supple as vegetable tanned leathers.
Aniline Leather – Process of taking a very high quality of leather and using aniline dyes that retains the texture and blemishes of the original leather.
Ankle Strap – A strap with and adjustable buckle or elastic attached at the rear of a shoe encircling the ankle.
Ankle Wrap – Straps that are long enough and meant to be tied around the ankle creating a stylish accent.
APMA – American Podiatric Medical Association includes top physicians in the study of feet and ankles. The APMA seal is used to educate both physicians and consumers on shoes that promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the areas of normal foot functioning and overall good health.
Apron Toe – A large material overlay that covers the toe of a shoe with a visible edge or stitching.
Arch – Large curved area of the foot between the ball of the foot and heel. Also, the part of the shoe referring the raised area of the insole that provides comfort and support.
Next week, I will be posting the glossary as it relates to terms starting with the letter B. I hope you find some of the terms useful and the next time you shop for shoes you can make a more informed decision on which shoes to purchase. When looking at shoes online at HouserShoes.com, you are sure to find name brand shoes with the elements mentioned in this glossary. If you have any questions about shoes you are considering from HouserShoes.com or any part of those shoes, the Customer Service Reps with HouserShoes.com are very well versed in shoes and the terminology, and will be happy to answer your questions.
So, stay tuned for next week when I cover all terms related to shoes and the letter B. If you have any terms that you would like to add or any that I may have left out, please let me know!
