How Strong Is Your Shoe Game?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Strong Is Your Shoe Game?
Image: Sally Jane Photographic Art / Moment Open / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Do you know your monk strap shoes from your Mary Janes? Research has shown that the collection lover portion of our brains lights up when we are shown pictures of shoes. As you go through this quiz, you'll be beaming! We've assembled a collection of 40 different shoes to put your shoe game to the test, but how many of them can you name? 

For any shoe lover, shoes are more than just protection for your feet. Shoes are the last piece you need to create a killer outfit and to make the right impression. As you read each question, take a good look at the shoes we're showing you. Do you know enough to get all 40 questions right, or will you need to head to the nearest shoe store for a refresher course? 

After you see our collection, you'll want to order a few dozen more pairs. First, you'll need to prove that your shoe trivia is superior to that of all other shoe fanatics, though. From Wellington boots to Yeezys, shoe trivia and shoe styles are as fascinating as the way that you wear them. Will you be able to get as many right as you think you will? You'll have to keep scrolling to find out!

Uggs
Wiki Commons by Snowball181
When T-Pain sings about "boots with the fur," what kind of boots is he describing?
UGGs
Doc Martens
Timberland
Red Wing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

UGGs are the type of boots that T-Pain mentions in his "Apple Bottom Jeans" song. Since 1978, the Deckers Outdoor Corporation has been producing fur-lined boots, bags and other fashion necessities.

Shoe size
Wiki Commons by Brannock Device Co
Every shoe store has one. What does the Brannock Device measure?
Heel height
Toe length
Arch angle
Shoe size
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Created by Charles Brannock in 1925, the Brannock Device is used to determine shoe size. You can find one in any shoe store and use it to measure both the width and length of your feet.

Jelly shoes
Wiki Commons by SchuminWeb
What's the name of these semitransparent shoes from the '80s?
Jelly shoes
Oxfords
Stilettos
Mules
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jelly shoes are made from PVC plastic. They were the rage in the '80s, and they are making a comeback. You can find them in nearly every color and style. You can even get them with glitter!

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Christian Louboutin
Wiki Commons by Arroser
Which designer is known for his red-soled shoes?
Steve Madden
Kenneth Cole
Jimmy Choo
Christian Louboutin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christian Louboutin started off as a designer's assistant, but he felt compelled to open his own Paris shop. After a lot of trial and error, his patented red lacquered soles became a favorite of the hottest celebrities.

Mary Janes
Wiki Commons by Alansplodge
What name is given to these girls' and women's shoes that have a strap across the top?
Mary Janes
Ankle booties
Gladiator sandals
Kitten heels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis, Missouri, had a line of shoes for boys named Buster Browns, but they needed a companion line for the girls. The Mary Jane shoe was created and named after the female character they invented to be Buster Brown's new best friend.

Doc Martens
Wiki Commons by William Christiansen
Can you name the brand of shoe that became popular streetwear in the '90s?
Timberland
Red Wing
Doc Martens
Clarks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Martens was founded in 1901. The English brand was popular for its line of work boots, but they became fashionable during the '70s, '80s and especially the '90s, when the grunge scene hit. Today, they are making more styles of shoes than ever before.

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Patent leather
beyhanyazar / E+ / Getty Images
Which name is given to this shiny type of leather shoe?
Polished leather
Patent leather
Patient leather
Pointed leather
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Extra shiny leather shoes are called patent leather shoes. When it was invented in 1818, the leather was polished with natural wax until a glossy sheen was achieved. More modern patent leather shoes are usually made with a plastic coating.

Oxford
Wiki Commons by Bontoni
This type of shoe shares its name with a famous university. What is it?
Oxford
Harvard
Yale
Miami
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oxfords are identifiable by their closed lacing, with a seam below the laces. Originally men's dress shoes, Oxfords have evolved into several types of footwear, including running shoes and women's versions.

Audrey Hepburn
Paramount Pictures
Which elegant actress made loafers fashionable in the film "Funny Face?"
Audrey Hepburn
Elizabeth Taylor
Hedy Lamarr
Marilyn Monroe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During 1957's "Funny Face," Audrey Hepburn was filmed wearing a pair of black Salvatore Ferragamo loafers. By pairing these shoes with leggings and a black turtleneck, you could easily recreate the look.

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Boat shoe
Wiki Commons by Antontushnov
Sperry is known for creating what type of nautical shoe, seen here?
Boat shoe
Tennis shoe
Derby shoe
Climbing shoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1935, Paul Sperry noticed how the spaces on his dog's paws gave it traction on slippery surfaces. At that moment, he carved grooves into the soles of his shoes, and the Sperry Top-Sider brand of boat shoes was born.

Velcro
Don Nichols / E+ / Getty Images
Instead of laces, some running shoes have what kind of straps?
Canvas
Buckled
Rubber
Velcro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Velcro shoes have come a long way since the sticky stuff began replacing ties on lace-up shoes. Velcro was once considered useful for children and those with physical conditions, but shoe manufacturers have found a way to make it barely noticeable.

Nike
Wiki Commons by Virtual Falcon
Which shoe brand is known for its signature swoosh symbol?
Reebok
Nike
Converse
New Balance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just do it! Since 1964, Nike has been creating innovative and comfortable sporting shoes. Named after the winged goddess of victory, Nike is a favorite among athletes and workout enthusiasts.

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1 inch
aldra / E+ / Getty Images
In order to be considered a stiletto, how high does a heel need to be?
1 inch
2 inches
3 inches
More than half an inch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To be classified as a stiletto, the heel must be at least 1 inch tall, although some rise as tall as 8 inches. Stilettos are the rule-breakers of the pump game. They can be created with open toes or closed toes in many strappy combinations!

Ballet
burwellphotography / E+ / Getty Images
Which activity is associated with the kind of shoes seen here?
Tap dancing
Bowling
Spinning
Ballet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ballet slippers are the perfect shoe for almost any outfit. Traditional ballet shoes have reinforced toes and long ribbon ties, but a simple pair of ballet-inspired flats can complete any look.

Converse
Wiki Commons by Converse
Can you pick the right name for this canvas sneaker brand?
Converse
Vans
Adidas
Skechers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Converse All-Stars were initially marketed as "Non-Skid." Their rubber soles and lace-up canvas were made to be worn by basketball players in the early 1900s. They were produced by the Converse Rubber Shoe Company.

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Platform NEW
guenterguni / E+ / Getty Images
What type of shoe is sometimes confused with a wedge heel?
Croc
Platform
Pump
Stiletto
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While both wedges and platform shoes offer some elevation, there's one main difference. Wedge heels only offer height in the back. Platforms add height to both the front and the back part of the shoe.

Jimmy Choo
Wiki Commons by Arroser
Carrie from "Sex and the City" loved wearing which designer's shoes?
Alexander McQueen
Kenneth Cole
Jimmy Choo
Louis Vuitton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jimmy Choo began making shoes when he was just 11 years old. Originally from Malaysia, Choo started his empire after attending college in London. He received his big break when Princess Diana wore a pair of his signature heels.

Moccasin
Wiki Commons by Outisnn
Do you know the name of this shoe that's made from a sole and one piece of leather?
Mukluk
Slipper
Monkey boot
Moccasin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can always tell a moccasin by the way a single piece of leather is stitched together to make the sides and the top. Moccasins are different from mukluks because they rise no higher than the ankle.

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Blue suede shoes
Wiki Commons by Isles Yacht Club
Just for fun ... what kind of shoes did Elvis not want you to step on?
Little red shoes
Blue suede shoes
Aligator skin cowboy boots
Patent leather oxfords
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The blue suede shoes were fictional when Carl Perkins wrote and recorded the song of the same name. After Elvis remade the song, a pair of capped-toe blue suede shoes were custom made for him to wear.

Yeezy
Wiki Commons by Isaiah979
What name is given to the shoe created by adidas and Kanye West?
Vans
Yeezy
Lotus Feet
Barley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No one expected the frenzied success of the adidas and Kanye West collaboration named Yeezy. To everyone's surprise, 2015's release of the Yeezy Boost sold out in 12 minutes. Subsequent designs have done just as well.

Ankle strap heels
MyChoice via YouTube
What are these fashionable shoes called?
Kitten heels
Cone heels
Ankle strap heels
Slingback heels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ankle strap heels, or T-straps, were popularized by the flappers of the 1920s. You can always recognize T-straps by the strap that extends upward from the middle of the toe section and wraps completely around the ankle.

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Gladiator sandals
Marina Si via YouTube
Do you know the right name for these Roman inspired shoes?
Mary Janes
Scarpin heels
Loafers
Gladiator sandals
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With straps that reach up toward the calf and surround the leg, gladiator sandals haven't gone out of style since the days of the ancient Romans. Originally, Roman sandals were reinforced with metal studs.

Kitten heel
Wiki Commons by Museo Rossimoda della calzatura
If you'll be on your feet all day, this heel is perfect. What kind of heel is it?
Kitten heel
Stiletto heel
Wedge heel
Pump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kitten heels were first introduced in the 1950s. Their demure, curved heel allows for extra comfort and style. They are still a popular choice for women like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Ankle booties
With love of photography / Moment / Getty Images
You might wear these boots during the fall. What are they called?
Cuban-heel boots
Ankle booties
Fringe boots
Chukka boots
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it's not quite cold enough for bulky winter boots, ankle booties are the perfect footwear. Whether you choose them with heels or without, they pair perfectly with any autumn ensemble.

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Corset heels
Marina Si via YouTube
These heels get their name from a garment. Which name is the right one?
Belt heels
Panty heels
Skirt heels
Corset heels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just as you would lace up a corset, corset heels have sides that tie in the middle. They might not be perfect for a professional meeting, but they are a lot of fun when matched with flirty evening attire.

Vans
Wiki Commons by Pedro Ribeiro Simões & Sean Tysoe
Skateboarders love these sneakers, but do you know what they're called?
Converse
Vans
Adidas
Ryka
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For a laid back skater look, slip into a pair of Vans. Since 1966, the shoemaker has been catering to those who like a little adventure in their lives. The company is also the major sponsor of the Warped Tour.

Flip flop
bravo1954 / E+ / Getty Images
Which silly sounding name is given to this type of casual shoe?
Tiptop
Toe drop
Flip flop
Tiki shoe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're at the beach, there's a good chance you are sporting a pair of flip flops. Constructed with a sole and a strap that goes between your toes, flip flops can be made from nearly any material. You can spend $1 on them, or you can spend hundreds. It all depends on your sense of style.

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Mule
Wiki Commons by David
Technically, most Crocs are what type of shoe?
Clog
Platform
Slingback
Ankle strap sneaker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You either love Crocs or you hate them. Either way, they are a member of the clog family of shoes. Clogs are backless shoes with low heels. While most Crocs have a heel strap, it can be tucked out of the way if desired.

Chelsea boots
Wiki Commons
Queen Victoria loved this kind of boot. Can you correctly name it?
Wellington boot
Chelsea boot
Combat boot
Calf boot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'll know a Chelsea boot when you see it by the comfortable elastic side panel. In the 1850s, Queen Victoria was frequently seen wearing them. They later became a staple of the British mod scene.

Trainers
Olly Courtney / Moment Open / Getty Images
In the U.S., they are called sneakers. What are they called in the U.K.?
Runners
Trainers
Skimmers
Waders
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Brits and Americans speak the same basic language, they have hundreds of different words for things. One of the biggest producers of trainers to come out of the U.K. is the Reebok company - which has moved its headquarters to Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

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Lita
CreativeKenna via YouTube
Designer Jeffrey Campbell is famous for creating a boot with which women's name?
Lisa
Linda
Lita
Lyndsay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lita boots are currently all the rage. Their ankle length, platform style is completed with a wooden heel and laces like a corset heel. You can pair them with your favorite jeans or your newest dress.

Wellington boots
Image Source / DigitalVision / Getty Images
What is the official name for rubber rain boots?
Worky boots
Puddle boots
Damp boots
Wellington boots
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wellington boots, or "wellies," are meant for wet, rainy days, and you can get them in any cute color or style you desire. Originally, Wellington boots were the outdoor footwear choice of British royals. They became popular after the Duke of Wellington wore them in the 1800s.

D'Orsay
Jenn Ardor via YouTube
Elegant cutouts are a signature of which kind of heels?
D'Orsay heels
French heels
Brogues
Kitten heels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Count Alfred d'Orsay created the d'Orsay heel to be worn by men. By exposing the mid-section of your foot, d'Orsay heels add a flattering look to your most elegant ensembles. The style has been imitated and improved by designers like Jimmy Choo.

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Peep-toe
Wiki Commons by SPERA
Marilyn Monroe was frequently seen sporting this type of heel. What kind is it?
Open toe
Peep-toe
Monks
Scarpin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sometimes, peep-toe heels are called pin-up heels. They were a favorite of the ancient Greeks, but stars like Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe helped them reach the popular status they have today.

Monk shoes
Emily Wheatley via YouTube
They look similar, but they're not Mary Janes. What are they?
Docksides
Brogues
Monk strap shoes
Moccasins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Monk strap shoes were created by monks looking for an alternative to open-toed sandals. Monk strap shoes can have a single or double strap and buckle, like Mary Janes, but they are designed for less formal occasions.

Espadrilles
Wiki Commons by SPERA
Do you know the name of these fiber-soled casual shoes?
Jelly shoes
Boat shoes
Oxfords
Espadrilles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Espadrilles are lightweight, made from canvas and fiber. Considered the shoe of rebellion in Cuban culture, they are now the number one choice of footwear for the freethinkers and fashion bohemians of the world.

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Gumshoes
Amir Mukhtar / Moment / Getty Images
What tasty name is given to this pair of canvas shoes?
Gum sole shoes
Dinner shoes
Candy shoes
Sugar shoes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gum sole shoes are similar to standard canvas sneakers, but there's one distinct difference. Gum soles are named for the thick rubber sole attached to the bottom of the canvas shell. The material is similar to an eraser you would find at the end of your pencil.

Clog
Photography by Bobi / Moment Open / Getty Images
This shoe's signature is its wooden sole. What kind of shoe is it?
Clog
Wedge
Platform
Mule
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clogs were originally created for mine workers and farmers. Usually associated with the Dutch, clogs can come in many forms. Both Japanese and Swedish cultures have long embraced clogs as part of their traditional attire.

Leather
Willie B. Thomas / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Which of these materials is the most popular for making shoes?
Vinyl
Leather
Canvas
Foam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For as long as shoes have been made, leather has remained the most popular material. Canvas and certain plastics are also popular, but leather seems to maintain its standing.

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Fantasy
Elusive Rabbit via YouTube
A lot of imagination is needed to create which shoe style, seen here?
Concept
Theater
Metallic
Fantasy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When designers really want to show off their stuff, they create fantasy shoes. While not the most practical or comfortable, fantasy shoes prove that the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity.

You Got:
/40
Sally Jane Photographic Art / Moment Open / Getty Images