Shoe Structure

All shoes have pretty much the same function; to provide feet protection, warmth, and support. However there are countless different styles and designs of shoes. In fact if you were to go on the street, it is highly likely that everyone has a different pair. How does one pick what shoes to wear when there are so many options? Is it due to style, comfort, warmth, or a mixture of all three? I decided to review the design of shoes that have the same function but very different appearances; an UGG boot and a high heel.

UGG Boot: Perhaps the first thing I notice when looking at an UGG boot is how flat the sole is. There is virtually no arch at all. In fact, the design overall looks like the type of shoe that one might draw on a stick figure. The design is very simple. Aside from the flat sole, there is a rounded toe. There is a slight curve up until the first seam is reached. Then the shoe is designed to cover the wearer’s calf. The calf is approximately 10 inches long. The boot is practically straight from the heel to the back of the calf. UGG boots are made of sheep skin. If you rubbed the boot, you would be able to see the change in direction on the surface. The seams are emphasized with visible piping and stitching. The bottom of the shoe is made of a rubbery material with a carved out design on the bottom. The inside of the shoe is a totally different material. The entire boot, including the foot part and the calf, is lined with fur. In this case, this fur is cream colored. The outside color is best described as “chestnut”. Finally, there is a tag on the heel, revealing the brand of the shoe.

High Heel: Unlike the UGG, the high heel has a very prominent arch. The ball of the shoe is flat but gradually curves up along the instep. At the heel, the arch abruptly curves back down, helping to form a thick heel of about three inches. The heel is narrowest at the ground and gets thicker as it gets closer to where the foot is placed. The heels are made of black suede, with a rubber bottom. Like the UGG, there is a design carved out on the bottom of the rubber. The top of the shoe almost appears to be made of two separate strips of suede, meeting together at the back. In the front of the shoe, these two strips cross over each other, forming an X like shape. This leaves the toe of the shoe open. This also leaves a medium sized open triangle on the side of the shoe. The suede fabric bunches to form a line in one of the strips of the X, giving the shoe more texture. There is a small black zipper at the heel of the shoe for ease of putting it on and taking it off. On the onside of the shoe, there is a foam-like material. This material is black like the rest of the shoe, making it virtually unnoticeable. The brand name is not visible during wear of the shoe, but is written on the inside of the heel in silver letters, standing out from the black inside.