About This Quiz
Kicks, creps, whips, enties, loubs ... whatever you call them, shoes serve many purposes. Although most footwear was created for practical use in protecting your feet, manufacturers and designers have realized that shoes can be so much more than functional ... they can be beautiful. These days, it seems that the style and color of a shoe can make or break an outfit. This is especially true for women. Even if a woman is wearing a long dress that hides the shoe in most positions, it's essential that she wears the right shoe for the right occasion. This can lead to a pretty impressive collection of shoes after enough events.
Have you ever thought about how many pairs of shoes you own? Most people need around five pairs just to function properly throughout the year: gym shoes, dress shoes, boots, sandals and maybe some flip-flops. Though there are people who own only two pairs of shoes (one for everyday and one for nice occasions), this quiz might be only for those who have to take out storage units to house their footwear collections. If you think you have a shoe IQ that can beat any other, take this quiz to see exactly where you stand.
When people are looking for a quick shoe to protect their foot from the heat of summer streets, a pair of flip-flops is the perfect go-to. They're also great for beaches, as they don't collect sand like most other shoe styles.
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Slip-on shoes are great for both men and women. They are generally considered a summer or vacation shoe, and can be worn with socks or without. The difference between these and espadrilles is the elastic at the top.
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Jellies gained popularity in the 1980s, but their design was a little off. They tend to be a little hot and can cause major blistering, if you don't get a high-quality pair. These days, most jellies have a lot of holes to help your feet breathe.
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Birkenstocks are a brand of shoe that is made out of cork and suede. Their original design was two straps. These days, you see a lot of different types of Birkenstocks, but they are still made out of the same materials.
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The T-strap heel was created as a way to accentuate the shape of a woman's foot. A single strap wraps around the ankle, and another thin strap goes the length of the foot. This style is a popular pair for cocktail dresses.
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Women's shoe styles have always been designed to give a woman a little more height as well as a great fashion sense. Chunky shoes are very much like platforms, but the heel and the toe are at different heights, giving them a heel-like silhouette.
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Litas are a very unique style of shoe. They are somewhere between an ankle boot and a chunky. They give the wearer extra inches of height while they cover the entire foot. They are mostly used for social occasions that aren't formal.
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Stilettos have a very interesting history. The style was originally created for men in the military and aristocrats. This all changed when King Louis XIV only allowed women to wear them.
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Mules are somewhere in between slip-ons and sandals. They have closed toes and open heels, and they come in a variety of textures and designs. The embroidered ones are the most coveted these days.
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Gladiators are a simplistic shoe that looks incredibly intricate. Some of them have a little bit of a heel, but all of them are made from strips of leather or whatever material is used to make them and they show off the foot and the calf nicely.
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You can tell the difference between a wedge and a platform by the heel. Wedges tend to have an extra lift at the heel, giving the perception of a wedge beneath the foot. They come in various designs to match any occasion.
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While the common consensus is that women who wear Army boots are bad girls, they have become a part of subcultures across the United States, and represent comfort and security rather than a woman who is about to cause trouble.
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Loafers are considered a practical shoe that gives a woman a lot of extra finesse while she stays comfortable. They are slip-on shoes with hidden elastic to hold them in place, so you can have free movement while wearing them.
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Known as wellies in various parts of the world, these rubber rain boots are meant to keep your feet dry during the wettest days. It wasn't until recently that it was socially acceptable for adults to wear these as a fashion statement.
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Gumshoes are very popular with groups that use their feet a lot, specifically skaters. These shoes are comfortable and allow for air circulation even on the hottest day. They come in a variety of designs, but the style is pretty basic.
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Mary Janes are a great fashion statement. They scream that you are all about vintage, throwbacks and classic beauty. The shoes have a slight heel as well as a buckle for over the top of the foot and a rounded toe.
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Knee boots are boots that ... you guessed it ... go to the knee. While most styles have a zipper up the side for easy application, others love to see you squirm and get your toes pointed as straight as possible to get them on.
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Sling back shoes were once the easiest dress shoes a woman could put on. The foot positioned itself perfectly as soon as the strap was in place. Though slip-ons and ballet shoes have now taken the title, sling backs are still a great shoe to have in your footwear arsenal.
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Pumps are one of the most simply designed shoe styles for women's heels available on the market. They slip on and can have an open toe or a closed toe. They're incredibly versatile, and if you get the right brand, incredibly comfortable.
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Some consider ankle boots to be the most versatile piece of footwear women can own. They go with nearly everything. If you have a long dress or a pantsuit, they can easily sub in for a pair of heels for formal occasions.
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Ballerina flats are a take on ballet shoes. Though they have slightly harder soles than actual ballet shoes, they have the same look. The wrap-around straps give your feet a classy look for any semi-formal occasion.
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Kitten heels look delicate and pair well with a long, sleek dress with a high slit. Though they don't look like much, these shoes can take quite a lickin' as they are designed to balance weight evenly.
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While the shoe itself looks simple, the history behind the style is noteworthy. These shoes are usually tied to revolution and justice. They were found on the fighter Sabrino Arana during the Cuban revolution.
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If you think monk shoes look a little bit like pilgrim shoes, you'd be right. Though the straps and buckles are over the top and on the sides, these shoes very much resemble the buckles that we find the pilgrims wearing.
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The trainer design has been essential to foot and spine health for decades now. It is considered the best shoe for exercise as it has thick soles and ventilation. Additionally, the shoes are balanced nicely to help you keep a good posture.
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Peep toes are a commonly used formal and business shoe that gives a woman a little extra air to her feet on hot days. It also lets us show off our awesome pedicures in office settings that don't necessarily allow open toes.
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These days, clogs are a little different from their Swedish ancestors. These shoes look very much like a platform, but the soles are generally made of wood and rubber while the top can be made from any material.
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Docksides are hand-sewn shoes that have thick rubber soles. Though they were originally meant for people who go boating a lot (the rubber soles help keep boaters from slipping), they are now a fashion statement for summers.
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Though the moccasin style was invented by the Native Americans, it has been adopted by several designers as a shoe that people use every day. They are also worn as driving shoes in some circles.
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The D'Orsay style is a style of pump high heel that someone can slip on without a problem. They separate the toe and the heel, shoeing the bridge of the foot perfectly. If you get the right brand, these shoes can be really comfortable as well.
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Whether you hate wearing heels or you simply hate trying to balance, wearing flats is a great way to show class and elegance without getting the blisters that are so commonly found with heels.
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Thigh-high boots have gotten a bad name over the years, and are considered boots that those with somewhat exotic professions wear. However, these boots can also show a sense of class and fashion if worn with the right outfit.
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Chukka boots are a type of ankle boot, but they have laces, unlike most styles of ankle-high boots. They also have rubber soles. They come in and out of fashion, usually cropping up around autumn season changes, but not lasting too long.
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As one of the most interesting-looking pairs of shoes you might come across, Dori shoes are meant to make it look as though you're always about to do a nifty ballet move. They look great with short skirts for when you hit the club.
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Originally, the Jutti style was only found in North India. However, in the last 10 years, these soft shoes with intricate designs have become more and more popular for their beauty and comfort.
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Rocker bottom shoes were popularized by Skechers Shape-Ups. Though the style didn't get women into shape the way it promised, the shoes were still comfortable and allowed for easier walking for those who were on their feet all day.
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Pointinini shoes are more commonly a men's style, but certain women's shoes can be found with the curved point at the toe. They are generally made from leather or a substitute and come in a variety of designs.
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Jazz shoes were specifically made for jazz dancers. They have a hard heel (that is sometimes on the rise). Though they aren't recommended for social occasions, they're perfect for the stage.
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Bowling shoes are for both men and women. Though the ones for the lanes don't have any traction, designers did try to create street shoes that mimicked the style in the late 1990s.
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Saddle shoes were so unique in the 1950s that every girl had to have them. They have a plain toe and a panel over the top of the foot that was considered decorative. Every once in a while, designers try to bring these shoes back, but they don't last long.
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