Shoe ABC

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  • Abrasivato

    Smooth leather, where a special buffing process produces a sheen

  • ACS® (Air Cushion System)

    Combined absorption and ventilation system; an air cushion in the heel area provides air supply and cushions the foot; a characteristic of Victory Technic® sport shoes

  • Aligned

    Rounded; refers to the shape of the toe cap.

  • Anilin leather

    Drum-dyed, high-quality Smooth leather, whereby using transparent dyes (the so-called transparent colouring) the natural markings of the leather are emphasised; the dying process is mainly carried out in a drum.

  • Antique leather

    A kind of antique pattern is produced by dying, printing, or spraying of smooth leather.

  • Aqua types

    Shoes, whose shapes and materials are inspired by water sport equipment.

  • Ballerina

    Light cut-out lady’s shoe with rounded point and with very flat or no heels.

  • Blank leather

    Very thick, H4, uncoloured, natural coloured cowhide or pigskin leather for rustic leather goods.

  • Blucher

    The Gibson is the old term for boots of this style.  This is usually a low heel, two or three eyelet lace-up

  • Boat shoes

    Sporty Slipper in Moccasin style, often with a half-concealed leather band, which is pulled through the shaft rim; mainly produced in robust (water resistant) cowhide leather with an anti slip sole

  • Boots

    See Short boot/bootee

  • Bottom

    Base of the shoe; includes amongst others insole, outsole and heel.

  • Box calf

    Fine, firm calf leather with regular grains and silky sheen; relatively thin, however, with a firm structure.

  • Box side

    Firm, robust, hardwearing Leather from mature cattle and cows with distinct pores.

  • Brogue

    General term for a classic-elegant shoe with hole pattern; see also Full and Semi-Brogue.

  • Brogueing

    Artistic geometrical decorated perforated hole pattern as decoration on the Brogue.

  • Brush leather

    See Abrasivato

  • Budapest shoe

    The Budapest shoe is probably the best known men’s shoe model. In contrast to the Full Brogue the main distinguishing factor is the sporty Derby style lacing, giving the shoe a classic yet casual look. This men’s shoe model, originating from Hungary, is double stitched. That way, the Budapest shoe is not only suited for men, who like to wear suits, but also for those, who prefer jeans, corduroys or the classic flannels.

  • Calf velours leather

    Calf leather, which has been buffed on the flesh side

  • Cambrelle®

    Hardwearing, fast drying lining, which can absorb a lot of moisture.

  • Camoscio

    High-quality Roughout leather.

  • Carrée form

    Square form of the toe cap

  • Casual

    Informal, sporty, and comfortable clothing and shoes; highly relevant fashion topic.  

  • Chelsea Boot

    Men’s boot usually above ankle height for slipping on with a stretch-elastic side inserts; originally worn with long breeches. The typical colour therefore is show jumper black.

  • Chevreau

    Fine, soft Goat/kid smooth leather with half moon shaped pores.

  • Chevrette

    Leather made from the skin of an immature goat; softer than Chevreau-Leather with more even markings.

  • Chopine

    Venetian pedestal or stilt shoes from the 16th century; forerunner of platform shoes.

  • Cigarette trousers

    Slim straight-cut trousers. Very often with a pleat

  • Clogs

    Originally Mule with wooden sole; in a broader sense: Mule with thick Platform sole.

  • Closed front lace up

    Elegant lace-up with closed front for ladies’ and men’s shoes; classic representatives are the Full-Brogue and the Oxford.

  • Closed front shoe

    Opposite of the Derby, elegant upper pattern, where the toecap has been placed on top of the quarters (sides of the shoe).

  • Coated leather

    General term for leather, which has been coated with a thin plastic foil, e.g. patent leather.

  • College

    Elegant Slipper similar to the Loafer, fitted with a buckle across the instep and a leather tassel for the classic finish.

  • Colour covering

    See Colour Finish

  • Colour finish

    Leather colouring, where covering pigment colours are applied, so that the natural surface of the leather is no longer recognisable.

  • Comfort shoe

    Comfort shoe for sensitive feet; exemplary characteristics: foot bed, insole pad, air cushion, extended heel stiffener, soft Leather, sufficient toe space, width system

  • Cord stopper

    See Draw cord

  • Cordovan

    Hardwearing glossy horse leather.

  • Cover sole

    Comes into direct contact with the sole of the foot; should absorb foot moisture and be colourfast; often logo, and other information is imprinted or embossed.

  • Cowhide

    General time for Leather from raw cowhides; mainly hardwearing and waterproof.

  • Creased or wrinkled patent leather

    See Wet look leather

  • Crushed patent leather

    See Wet look leather

  • Dandies

    Classic-elegant flat leather tie-up shoe in the style of the Twenties and Thirties; different shoe types are possible.

  • Deitex®

    See Membrane

  • Dianetten

    Sandal, Light sandal or Mule, with a toe separator (small strip between the big and middle toes)

  • Dish shaped sole

    Outsole, which is fitted on the side of the Shaft

  • D´Orsay

    Feminine shoe, similar to the pumps; enclosed heel and ball of the foot, the middle part of the foot remains free; possible in numerous versions; the inventor and provider of the name in the 19th century was the Frenchman Guillaume Gabriel D'Orsay

  • Doubleface

    Natural grown sheep or lambskin, where the wool is worn on the inside; the treated velour side is exposed in the outside, i.e. the flesh side has been buffed.

  • Draw cord

    Fashionable accessory; often a stretch band, which is pulled through the shaft rim

  • Ecrasé leather

    Synonym: Shrinking leather; the grain is distinguished by grooves and folds (curly markings), resulting from a special tanning method, which lets the leather shrink.

  • Espadrilles

    Linen shoes with strand rope sole

  • EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)

    Light, fine-pored sole material with good absorbing characteristics; often used for sport shoes.

  • Exotic leather

    Precious and expensive leathers from ostrich and emu skins, as well as from reptiles (mainly crocodiles, lizards, and snakes); import restrictions due to the "Washington Endangered Species Protection Agreement"

  • Fantasy leather

    This produced through the imaginative processing of the leather surfaces through embossing, printing, pressing, foil coating etc.; often for imitations of Exotic leathers.

  • Finish

    See Dressing

  • Flamenco

    Elegant, simple mainly plain uni-coloured Strap shoe with a medium high block heel; the form is derived from the Spanish dancing shoe.

  • Flat

    Sporty, men’s Sandal, toe and heel closed, with side slits and cut-outs.

  • Fleece

    Hair of the newly sheared sheep or in outdoor fashion the warming insert between top fabric and liner

  • Flesh side

    Underside (the side turned towards the animal) of the animal skin, which is processed into Velours leather.

  • Fluor colours

    Fluorescent intensively luminescent colours

  • Foil leather

    Leather, which has been covered with plastic foil or film; see also Patent leather.

  • Foot bed

    Anatomically shaped sole for supporting the metarsal arch.

  • Full Brogue

    The Brogue is an absolute classic. Almost every man knows this sleek men’s shoe model with a striking cut. The typical characteristics of the Full Brogue are the elegant decorative perforated hole pattern, also called ,”Rosette”, on the toe cap, as well as the robust and H4 sole and sides. Whether at the office, the restaurant or doing some shopping at home or in the world’s large metropolises, wearing a Full Brogue a man is perfectly dressed at any time. It is always the right choice – whether worn with jeans or with a suit.

  • Fur

    Normally animal skin with hair; in the technical language, skins from smaller animals, such as calf, goat, sheep or lamb are referred to as furs.

  • Fur velours

    See Double face

  • Grain

    The grain layer is on the upper side, i.e. the fur side of the animal skin, where one can recognize the hair pores, which are characteristic for each type of animal

  • Grain leather

    Leather, which has been treated in such a way, that the grain layer of the skin is fully preserved.

  • Grain side

    The upper side of the animal skin, which is covered with fur/hair when the animal is still alive, is used for processing into Smooth leather, Patent leather or Nubuk leather.

  • Grained leather

    Graining (special type of Finish) produces soft, supple leather with grain markings (recognizable from the grains with small checks)

  • Grinded or buffed leather

    Grinding or buffing is a type of finish for Roughout leathers; with Velour leathers, the flesh side is grinded, with Nubuk the grain side.

  • Ghillie lace-up

    Rustic-decorative lacing, where the laces are pulled through eyelets, which are fitted on top of the shaft.

  • Glacé leather

    Soft, supple Goat, Kid or sheep leather with comfortable wearing characteristics; often used for gloves and garments

  • Grey film marks

    Occurs mainly in walking creases and is caused by using colourless shoe polish on dark Leather; the colourless wax layer on the leather surface breaks leaving a grey/white film.

  • Harness leather

    Cowhide leather, similar to Blank leather, for producing horse harnesses and leather holders

  • Heel pitch

    Also known as ankle pitch, is determined by the height of the heel of the shoe

  • Half Brogue

    See Semi-Brogue

  • High vamp

    Shoe where the instep is covered

  • Hunting

    Roughout leather from cowhide; it has been buffed on the reverse side of the skin and has a velvet like feel

  • Instep buckle

    Accessory at the height of the foot shaft

  • Insole

    Foundation of the shoe; with most manufacturing methods, it holds all parts of the shoe together; not to be confused with Outsole or Cover sole.

  • Jodhpur-Short boot

    Masculine, ankle high Unisex short boot with a round strap around the ankle, which is closed on the side with a buckle; they got their name from Indian breeches

  • Light sandal

    Feminine, elegant and lighter version of the sandal with heel

  • Lining leather

    Thin, supple Leather from sheep, calf, cow or pig

  • Lining

    Interior finish of the shoe; from Leather, textile, synthetics, wool or lambskin

  • Low lace up

    One distinguishes the following types: Upper lace-up, Derby, Ghillie lace-up.

  • Leather

    Animal skin, which was made durable by Tanning, thereby maintaining its natural characteristics (does not rot when wet and does not break when dry)

  • Leather shawl

    See Bobble

  • Lasts

    Imitation of the human foot for shoe making; determines the size, width, fitting quality, and heel height of the shoe

  • Loafer

    English for idler; comfortable Slipper with various heel heights, recognizable from the inserted front vamp, similar to the Moccasin style

  • Longwing

    The extravagant and sporty style of the Full Brogue has been reduced with this men’s shoe model. The well known Derby style lacing gives this shoe an additional casual look. Depending on the manufacturer, this model is available either with a leather or a robust rubber sole, making it absolutely the right choice for walking in the city or a stroll after work or at the weekend.

  • Lurex®

    Textile metallic/glossy material

  • Meat split

    Bottom part of split animal skin.

  • Membrane

    Shoes with a (climate) Membrane are pervious and at the same time watertight, e.g. Sympatex®, Deitex®, Paratex®, Goretex®

  • Mesh

    Pervious net like woven material

  • Military-look

    Shoe fashion inspired by the military style

  • Moccasin

    Sporty casual Slipper; according to the original style, sole and shaft are made from one piece of Leather, whereby the bottom shaft part serves as Insole. The shaft is closed through an insert in the vamp area, whereby the typical Moccasin seam is created.

  • Monk

    Due to its buckle towards the outer side – often in gold or silver or black, the latter being a popular choice with younger customers – this men’s shoe model is instantly recognizable. Because of its current popularity, the Monk has been included in almost every men’s shoe collection. Due to its both sporty and classic design, it is the ideal choice for corduroys and linen trousers as much as for single coloured or striped suits.

  • Neopren

    Material, which is used for producing so-called aqua types

  • Norwegian loafer

    Typical for this men’s shoe model is the raised and distinctive seam at the toe cap, whereby by the shoe often tapers. Traditional Norwegians are manufactured from sporty grained leather and fitted with a robust and hard-wearing rubber sole, making them into the right model for all activities in the open air, whether in the woods, going on a walk with the family or just strolling in the city.

  • Nubuk leather

    Very fine but firm calf or cowhide leather with peach like surface, which has been buffed on the grain side, reminds of Velours leather, is however finer and not as grainy.

  • Ostrich leather

    Soft, high quality Smooth leather; recognisable by its characteristic naps in wrinkled Markings

  • Outsole

    Apart from the heel, the sole is most exposed to wear and tear/abrasion; it can be made from rubber, Leather (normally cowhide leather) or plastic

  • Outdoor

    Sporty rustic shoe type fitted with a profile or stud sole

  • Oxford

    As its name already reveals, this shoe is a typical English elegant men’s shoe model. Due to its workmanship and its leather – optimally it would be box calf in black and brightly polished – the Oxford is the most elegant and classic model amongst the men’s shoes, making it the ideal choice for visits to the theatre, weddings or a champagne reception.

  • Pigskin leather

    H4 napa like Leather from the domestic pig with characteristic grains (group shaped pores, which run through the whole skin); in case of shoes or gloves, one talks about pigskin leather, in case of garments from Pork or Pork velours.

  • Patent leather

    Smooth leather (mainly cowhide, calf or goat leather), the surface of which has been varnished or covered with foil, resulting in a high gloss

  • Plaited leather

    Plaited from smooth leather strips.

  • Peccary Leather

    Soft supple glove leather from skins of South American wild boars

  • Peeptoe

    Toe free

  • Peeptoe Mule

    Toe free Mule

  • Pelotte

    Soft pad for supporting the metarsal arch; eases splayed foot problems.

  • Penny Loafer

    The Penny-Loafer is ideal for leisure time. Because of its thin sole and its soft leather – inviting you just to slip in – it is exactly the right choice for all leisure activities. Whether worn with jeans, corduroys, cotton or linen trousers, whether loose fit or Polo shirts – this men’s shoe combines all fashion styles in an optimal manner.

  • Perlato

    Shiny Smooth leather with mother of pearl sheen  

  • Plateau

    Shoes with a high block like heel (platform) which goes from the heel through to the toe; were at the height of fashion during the Seventies

  • Pleated

    Narrow pleats

  • Porc

    See Pigskin leather

  • Pressed grain leather

    See Chagrin leather

  • PU (Polyurethane)

    Sole material with high scuff resistance and low own weight

  • Pumps

    The classic amongst ladies’ shoes; elegant, high to medium heel, made from one piece, mainly low cut and without fastener; various types possible.

  • Russian leather

    Very hardwearing, tough cowhide or calf leather treated with tanned with willow, birch or oak oil, originally from Russia 

  • Roughout leather

    Popular synonym for Suede; Roughout leather is the general term for Leather with buffed surface, i.e. Velours and Nubuk leather; see also Grinded or buffed Leather.

  • Retro

    General term for a fashion, which has been there before, and which is now part of current collections.

  • Rubber sole

    Rubber sole

  • Sabot

    See Mule

  • Saddle cut

    Elegant, however, today rather rare shaft cut, where a bandage has been stepped onto the instep

  • Sandal

    Unisex summer shoe, which encloses the heel with a small strap; the front foot can be more ore less closed; shoe type with origin from Ancient Greece.

  • SAS® (Shock Absorbing System)

    Shock absorbing system in the heel and ball area of the Outsole with Victory Technic® sport shoes.

  • Semi Anilin leather

    Leather, which is covered with a thin, to ca. 50 % covering pigment colour during the Finish. 

  • Semi-Brogue

    The Semi-Brogue is a classic at its best and its relationship with the Full Brogue cannot be overlooked. In contrast to its namesake, the design of the Semi-Brogue is finer and more filigree, i.e. the pattern of holes is more restrained. This less sporty men’s shoe model is probably not for every man, as its elegant optics are more suited for official and formal events.

  • Shaft

    Upper parts of the shoe, i.e. everything, which does not belong to the Bottom of the shoe

  • Shaft spoiler

    Cushioned top line at the heel

  • Shammy leather

    See Chamois

  • Shantung

    High quality Chinese silk

  • Short boot/bootee

    Ankle high boot as tie-up or slip variant with elastic insert or zip; several types and heel heights possible

  • Shrinking leather

    See Ecrasé leather

  • Skin

    Animal skin is the raw material for producing leather; Animals: Cow, calf, sheep, goat, pig, other (deer, ostrich, reptiles, horse, ...)

  • Skiver

    Thin grain split leather from sheep, lamb or goat, which is mainly used as lining leather.

  • Sling Backs

    Elegant-court shoe variation with a small strap around the ankle.

  • Sling pumps

    Variant of the Pumps, where the open heel is only held by a small strap.

  • Slipper

    House shoe

  • Slipper

    From the purely optical point of view, the Slipper has little in common with any of the shoes, we have shown so far; nevertheless they have a lot of fans. Due to their soft and smooth leather and their thin sole, the Slipper is a very light and comfortable shoe, making it the ideal choice for the summer, when it is worn with light and casual clothes.

  • Smooth leather

    Produced from the top layer (hair removed) of the animal skin [grain side] and is a general term for Leather with a smooth closed surface

  • Snaffle loafer

    Feminine Loafer with medium high heel and the characteristic decorative buckle over the instep.

  • Sneaker

    Modern, comfortable unisex street shoes, which have been derived from sport shoes; different designs according to target group: Techno, Retro, Trainer, and Designer Sneaker.

  • Soft calf

    Soft calf leather

  • Softy leather

    Term for soft, supple Leather

  • Sole leather

    Robust, hardwearing and water repellent Leather, from which the shoe outsole is made; mainly from cowhides, which have been tanned in a vegetable manner.

  • Spectator

    Shoe in two contrasting colours (mainly black and white) in classic style; different types possible; a favourite in Jazz circles of the Twenties and Thirties

  • Split leather

    Course fibred Leather of mature cows, produced by splitting the skins and roughening the surface; has two rough sides.

  • Splitting

    An animal skin consists of a Flesh side and a Grain side. It is split to obtain a grain split and a flesh split side; the grain side is used for smooth and Nubuk leather, the flesh and split sides are used for Velours leather.

  • Stiletto

    Pointed Pumps in Fifties style with stiletto heel

  • Stirrup strap pumps

    See T-strap shoe

  • Strap shoe

    General term for elegant shoes with a strap across the instep.

  • Strip sandal

    Sandal, where the front foot is held by strips.

  • Surfer type

    See Aqua types

  • Sympatex®

    See Membrane

  • Tall shaft boot

    Knee-high boot

  • Tongue shoes

    A Pump with high tongue and side slits; instep and butt-seamed quarter are linked with a small strap on either side

  • Tanning

    Processing of animal skins and hides into leather by using vegetal (e.g. bark, leaves), mineral (e.g. Chromium, Aluminium), synthetic (e.g. chemical substances from crude oil) or animal (e.g. oils, whale oils) tanning agents

  • Tassel

    See Bobble

  • Trotteur

    Sporty to elegant ladies’ shoe with higher shaft cut, i.e. high vamp and medium high Block heel

  • T-Strap shoe

    General term for shoes with t-shaped strap across the instep

  • Two tone

    Two-coloured

  • Upper leather

    Any leather type for the upper, outer parts of the shoe, the shoe shaft.

  • Upper material

    Outer part of the shoe, which is connected with the Outsole.

  • Velvet calf leather

    Velours leather from calf with fine velvet like fraying

  • Velvet Chevreau Leather

    Soft velvet like goat leather, which is buffed on the flesh side. 

  • Veal leather

    Leather of the veal or young cow, firmer and with larger pores than box calf

  • Velcro closing

    Self-adhesive closing

  • Velours

    Wool fabric with short upright pile, mainly with nap. Is the pile higher, the fabric is referred to as fleece

  • Velvet

    Mainly the term for fake velvet, where the pile is formed by material, which has been inserted diagonally. Occasionally this term is also used for genuine velvet, when the pile is produced by the warp itself

  • Vintage look

    Newly created optics from torn, washed out or ripped items, which is topical in trend fashion (in particular with jeans wear). The Vintage Look is also used for authentic looks of previous styles

  • Welt leather

    Special Leather (mainly cowhide) for the production of shoe welts; the welt is the connecting piece between Shaft and Bottom.

  • Walk leather

    Cowhide leather, similar to Blank leather, which is mainly used for orthopaedic shoes

  • Waterproof

    Water repellent. Very thick, robust, and greasy cowhide leather, which through additional impregnation in the tannery becomes nearly watertight. 

  • Wellness

    General term for shoes, which provide good walking comfort, see Casual

  • Wildleder

    Popular synonym for Roughout leather (Velours and Nubuk leather); strictly speaking, however, term for Leather, which indeed comes from game (e.g. stag, elk, roe...); velvety and smooth, it distinguishes itself by a prominent grains. 

  • WMS lasts

    Width measuring system for children’s shoes (wide – medium - narrow)

  • Zipper

    English for zip closure

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