{"id":1005,"date":"2016-02-24T23:01:01","date_gmt":"2016-02-25T03:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/?page_id=1005"},"modified":"2017-02-09T07:01:09","modified_gmt":"2017-02-09T11:01:09","slug":"anatomy-of-a-shoe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/chapters\/anatomy-of-a-shoe\/","title":{"rendered":"Anatomy of a Shoe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Everybody knows \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shoe\">what a shoe is<\/a>,\u00a0even though\u00a0the term covers a fairly broad variety of footwear. What is less commonly known are what all the various parts that make up a shoe are called\u00a0&#8211; in other words, the <em>shoe&#8217;s anatomy<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/Image-1-13.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-316\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-316 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/Image-1-13.jpg\" alt=\"Parts of a dress shoe\" width=\"255\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a>This can be\u00a0particularly useful to know when shopping for shoes online, or dealing with customer service issues via email or the like. If you can&#8217;t bring the actual shoe in to the store, or speak on the phone, you need to be able to accurately describe what it is you want to buy or need fixed.\u00a0For example, if you know your shoe anatomy, you could write &#8220;the vamp of my right shoe has detached from the toe&#8221; when raising a complaint with a shoe retailer.<\/p>\n<p>Below is\u00a0a video we found that we thought was quite good as an introduction.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Gu27g5SgvPg\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Shoe Structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A shoe&#8217;s structure can generally be divided into upper and lower parts.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>upper part<\/strong>\u00a0of a shoe refers to all the parts of the shoe above the sole.\u00a0\u00a0This is further sub-divided into the vamp (the front of the shoe), the quarters (the back and side of the shoe) and the linings.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>lower part<\/strong> of the shoe refers to the sole, the shank and the heel.<\/p>\n<p>Read below for more details about the terminology used in describing a shoe&#8217;s anatomy. Note that\u00a0not all terms necessarily apply to all shoes, as styles and types of shoes vary.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Shoe Terminolgy<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4><strong>Breast:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The front part of the heel below\u00a0the arch of the sole<br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- \"Anatomy\" page --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5212447425591278\" data-ad-slot=\"3216348349\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\/\/ <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Collar<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The stitching that forms the rim of a\u00a0shoe\u00a0or boot<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Eyelet<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The holes that shoelaces pass through.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Feather:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Where the upper part of the shoe meets the sole<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Heel:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Image-6-1.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-424\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-424\" src=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Image-6-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image 6-1\" width=\"165\" height=\"249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Image-6-1.jpg 593w, https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/Image-6-1-198x300.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 165px) 85vw, 165px\" \/><\/a>The part of the sole that raises the back of the shoe. Although\u00a0used predominantly for improved balance on a shoe,\u00a0the sole&#8217;s shape and size can effect posture\u00a0and\u00a0the perceived height of the wearer. Heels play a major part in design fashions for shoes.<\/p>\n<p>The heel is the part of the sole that raises the rear of the shoe in relation to the front. The heal seat is the top of the heal that touches the upper, this is typically shaped to match the form of the upper. The part of the the heel that comes in contact with the ground is known as the the top piece.<\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Heel Collar<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The top part of the\u00a0quarters providing support for the heel\u00a0and helping prevent the foot from slipping inside the shoe.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Heel Counter<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>An insert (usually plastic) used to re-inforce the heel cup of a shoe and help with foot support.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Heel Seat<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The top of the heel that touches the upper part of the shoe.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Insole:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A removable sole that is placed inside the shoe between the sole and the foot. Typically used to improve a fit, for comfort, for warmth or as a deodorizer.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Linings:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The material inside the shoe that directly contacts the foot (or the sock!). Designed to increase comfort and lengthen the lifespan of the shoe.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Outsole:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The bottom of the sole that comes in direct contact with the ground. The outsoles of shoes are made from a variety of materials depending often on the purpose of the shoe.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Puff:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Placed between the lining and\u00a0the upper shoe\u00a0,the puff gives support and shape to the toe.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Quarter:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The sides and back of the upper shoe, behind the vamp.<\/p>\n<p>Some shoes are whole cut, meaning that the quarter and the vamp are made from the same piece of material. However in most shoes, the quarter and vamp will be two separate pieces of material.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Seat:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Where the heel of the fit sits in the shoe. It normally matches the shape of the heel for comfort and support.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Shank:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A piece of metal inserted between the sole and the insole lying against the arch of the foot.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Sole:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The part of the lower shoe that sits beneath the wearer&#8217;s foot. \u00a0Often\u00a0used to describe the entire lower part of the shoe, though\u00a0technically the heel is not part of the sole.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Throat:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The front of the vamp next to the toe cap.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Toe cap:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A piece of steel or leather that is placed over the front part of a boot or shoe for added protection or re-enforcement.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Top Piece:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The bottom\u00a0of the heel that comes in direct contact with the ground. Usually made of durable material.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1008 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/shoediagram.png\" alt=\"shoediagram\" width=\"227\" height=\"222\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Toungue<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A strip\u00a0of material that sits on top of the center part of a shoe but underneath the laces. The tongue\u00a0is attached to the vamp and runs all the way to the\u00a0hroat, making it easier to take your shoes on and off. Shoes without laces do not have toungues.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/c.amazon-adsystem.com\/aax2\/getads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[ aax_getad_mpb({ \"slot_uuid\":\"6de9b31b-c8c5-41c1-b4b8-13998f348cbc\" }); \/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h4><strong>Upper:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The entire part of the shoe\u00a0above the sole.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Vamp:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The section of upper that covers the front of the foot\u00a0from the toe and extending around the tongue and eyelets\u00a0to the back of the shoe.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Waist:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The arch and in-step of the foot.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Welt:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A strip of material that joins the upper to the sole.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everybody knows \u00a0what a shoe is,\u00a0even though\u00a0the term covers a fairly broad variety of footwear. What is less commonly known are what all the various parts that make up a shoe are called\u00a0&#8211; in other words, the shoe&#8217;s anatomy. This can be\u00a0particularly useful to know when shopping for shoes online, or dealing with customer service &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/chapters\/anatomy-of-a-shoe\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Anatomy of a Shoe&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4,"menu_order":15,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1005"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1005"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1172,"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1005\/revisions\/1172"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oddshoefinder.com\/oddshoesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}