| Men's Shoes Article | A shoe is an item of footwear. Shoes may vary from a simple flip-flop to a complex boot. Shoes may have high or low heels, although in western cultures, high heels are considered a woman's style. Shoe materials include leather or canvas. Athletic shoe soles may be made of rubber. Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed: Balmorals the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing." In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not Oxfords, such as rubber-sole bluchers. Bluchers the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing." In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe. Monk-straps a buckle and strap instead of lacing Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings. Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways: Plain-toes have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp. Cap-toes has an extra layer of leather that 'caps' the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration Wing-tips The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Wing-tips can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. In England this is called a brogue. |
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