To continue with the shoe glossary, here are shoe terms starting with the letter "C". Again, I hope you learn something new. If you have anything to add, please let me know. Every time I research this topic, I learn something new! When I put on a pair of shoes now, I look at the shoe a little differently. I look at parts rather than the whole and the construction of the shoe takes on an entirely new meaning. Enjoy!
C-
Calfskin -Made from the skin of calves (as the name suggests), a very supple and soft leather.
Cap Toe -A toe with stitches or punches across the toe in a straight line. Most commonly seen in dress shoes.
Cemented Construction – A design in which he upper o0f a shoe is cemented rather than stitched. By constructing a shoe in this way, the shoe becomes lighter and more flexible.
Chelsea Boot -Sometimes referred to as a jodhpur boot, a Chelsea Boot is a short ankle high boot with characteristic elastic panel inserts from the heel to the top of the boot. Became popular in England in the 1960’s after The Beatles began wearing this type of boot.
Chukka Boot – An ankle high boot with laces. Most commonly with a plain toe.
Circumference – A measurement taken from the widest part of the top of a boot shaft, measured around the shaft.
Clog – Originally made from wood with a wooden sole or sometimes an entirely wooden shoe, the clog originated for wear in heavy labor jobs. Today, the clog can feature a wooden heel or heel out of other material and upper materials vary. Clogs are mainly closed toe and can be opened heel, closed heel or a back strap across the heel.
Collar -Sometimes padded to add comfort, the collar of a shoe is a material sewn into the topline of the shoe.
Combination Last – Consisting of a wide toebox and a narrow heel, a combination last is created with the heel being two sizes smaller than the widest part of the shoe.
Contoured Footbed – A footbed made out of material that molds to the shape of the foot.
Cordovan – Made from the rear of horses (horses are not purposely raised for this, but instead, older horses are used that will be meeting their destiny regardless if used for this leather or not. A very non porous leather results from the process of making Cordovan leather. Very time consuming; Cordovan leather tends to be very expensive and a very painstaking process. For this reason, there is only one company in the United States that still makes Cordovan leather in the traditional way.
Corrected Grain Leather – Known by most people as Top Grain leather, this material is fuzzy on one side and smooth on the other. The smooth side is where the hair and natural grain is found. In lower quality leathers, the smooth side is buffed to remove any imperfections.
Counter -Used to maintain the shape of a shoe, the Counter is a stiff piece of material inserted in between the shoe lining and upper. Usually made of leather.
Crepe Sole -Having the appearance of a texture similar to crepe paper, a Crepe Sole is made from a crude natural rubber. Most commonly found on casual shoes.
Croc Embossed -Made from a material, frequently leather from cow’s skin which has been stamped to resemble crocodile skin with a high gloss shine. A less expensive alternative to natural crocodile skin.
Crocodile Skin – Made from natural crocodile skin. Patterns can differ from shoe to shoe due to the natural pattern of crocodile. A more expensive leather than the more common cow’s skin.
Cuban Heel –-A heel used in some shoes and boots with a characteristically broad heel with a slight taper back and straight front.
Cushioning – Added for extra comfort and/or stabilization, cushioning is a padding added on the insole or outsole of a shoe.
C-
Calfskin -Made from the skin of calves (as the name suggests), a very supple and soft leather.
Cap Toe -A toe with stitches or punches across the toe in a straight line. Most commonly seen in dress shoes.
Cemented Construction – A design in which he upper o0f a shoe is cemented rather than stitched. By constructing a shoe in this way, the shoe becomes lighter and more flexible.
Chelsea Boot -Sometimes referred to as a jodhpur boot, a Chelsea Boot is a short ankle high boot with characteristic elastic panel inserts from the heel to the top of the boot. Became popular in England in the 1960’s after The Beatles began wearing this type of boot.
Chukka Boot – An ankle high boot with laces. Most commonly with a plain toe.
Circumference – A measurement taken from the widest part of the top of a boot shaft, measured around the shaft.
Clog – Originally made from wood with a wooden sole or sometimes an entirely wooden shoe, the clog originated for wear in heavy labor jobs. Today, the clog can feature a wooden heel or heel out of other material and upper materials vary. Clogs are mainly closed toe and can be opened heel, closed heel or a back strap across the heel.
Collar -Sometimes padded to add comfort, the collar of a shoe is a material sewn into the topline of the shoe.
Combination Last – Consisting of a wide toebox and a narrow heel, a combination last is created with the heel being two sizes smaller than the widest part of the shoe.
Contoured Footbed – A footbed made out of material that molds to the shape of the foot.
Cordovan – Made from the rear of horses (horses are not purposely raised for this, but instead, older horses are used that will be meeting their destiny regardless if used for this leather or not. A very non porous leather results from the process of making Cordovan leather. Very time consuming; Cordovan leather tends to be very expensive and a very painstaking process. For this reason, there is only one company in the United States that still makes Cordovan leather in the traditional way.
Corrected Grain Leather – Known by most people as Top Grain leather, this material is fuzzy on one side and smooth on the other. The smooth side is where the hair and natural grain is found. In lower quality leathers, the smooth side is buffed to remove any imperfections.
Counter -Used to maintain the shape of a shoe, the Counter is a stiff piece of material inserted in between the shoe lining and upper. Usually made of leather.
Crepe Sole -Having the appearance of a texture similar to crepe paper, a Crepe Sole is made from a crude natural rubber. Most commonly found on casual shoes.
Croc Embossed -Made from a material, frequently leather from cow’s skin which has been stamped to resemble crocodile skin with a high gloss shine. A less expensive alternative to natural crocodile skin.
Crocodile Skin – Made from natural crocodile skin. Patterns can differ from shoe to shoe due to the natural pattern of crocodile. A more expensive leather than the more common cow’s skin.
Cuban Heel –-A heel used in some shoes and boots with a characteristically broad heel with a slight taper back and straight front.
Cushioning – Added for extra comfort and/or stabilization, cushioning is a padding added on the insole or outsole of a shoe.
