ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY · SHOES & BOOTS
Types of shoes and boots.
Shoe names come from how they go on your foot: laces, a strap, elastic, a zip or nothing at all. These eight are the everyday staples.
Updated · By the Delve to Life editors · Editorial standards
THE QUICK ANSWER
Look at the fastening first, then the height. Laces on a low shoe is a derby or oxford; elastic on a boot is a Chelsea; a strap across the instep is a Mary Jane; no back at all is a mule.
Loafer
A slip-on leather shoe with a low heel.
How to spot it. No laces. A strap across the top with a slot is a penny loafer; a metal bar is a horsebit loafer. Chunky soles are lug loafers.
How to wear it. Smart-casual everywhere: with trousers, jeans, skirts and white socks or bare ankles.
Ballet flat
A soft, almost heelless slip-on with a rounded toe.
How to spot it. Very thin sole, low-cut sides, often a small bow or drawstring at the front.
How to wear it. Light and easy with cropped trousers, midi skirts and dresses.
Mary Jane
A rounded shoe with a strap across the instep.
How to spot it. A single strap, usually buckled, over the top of the foot. Flat or with a heel.
How to wear it. Playful or polished: with white socks and skirts, or with straight jeans.
Chelsea boot
An ankle boot with elastic side panels.
How to spot it. Stretchy gussets on both sides and a pull tab at the back. No laces or zip.
How to wear it. A year-round boot for jeans and trousers. Choose a slimmer leg so the hem sits cleanly over it.
Derby
A lace-up shoe with open lacing.
How to spot it. The lace flaps are stitched on top of the front, so they open wide. (On an oxford, they're stitched underneath and close neatly.)
How to wear it. Sturdier and more casual than an oxford. Good with chinos, jeans and wide trousers.
Mule
A shoe with a closed toe and no back.
How to spot it. You can slide straight in; the heel is completely open. Flat or with a block heel.
How to wear it. Easy summer-to-autumn shoe with cropped trousers and dresses. Check it stays on when you walk.
Sneaker
A sporty lace-up shoe with a rubber sole.
How to spot it. Low top sits below the ankle bone; high top covers it. Minimal leather styles look smartest.
How to wear it. With almost everything casual, including tailoring and dresses.
Ankle boot
A boot that ends at or just above the ankle, often with a zip.
How to spot it. Side zip, a block or stacked heel, ending around the ankle bone.
How to wear it. With skirts, dresses and straight or wide trousers that fall over the shaft.
Easily confused
| Pair | The difference |
|---|---|
| Derby vs oxford | On a derby the lace flaps sit on top and open wide; on an oxford they're stitched under the front and close neatly. Oxfords are dressier. |
| Loafer vs ballet flat | Both slip on. A loafer has a structured upper and a small heel; a ballet flat is soft, low-cut and almost heelless. |
| Chelsea vs ankle boot | A Chelsea boot has elastic sides and no zip; an ankle boot usually has a zip and often a higher heel. |
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Describe it with picturesThe illustrations on this page are AI-generated so each style can be shown in the same colour, angle and light. They are not products.