Designer Shoes

Posts Tagged ‘ballet shoes’

Flat shoes, or pumps, are a design of shoe that stems from soft ballet slippers, which have such thin heels that they appear not to have one at all. They usually have some form of binding around the low tops, a gathering or design at the top-front of the toe box and a string tie that is more for decoration than for holding the shoe on. Due to their comfortable fit and range of styles and prices, they are a very popular casual shoe for both work and recreation.

The shoes have existed in some form or another for over 300 years, though in the 16th Century they were commonly worn by men and referred to as “pompes” – from which the modern name “pumps” is thought to derive. It is said that, although flat shoes were out-classed by heeled shoes in the 17th and 18th Century, they had a resurgence of popularity after Marie Antoinette walked to the guillotine in heels! The modern fashion-appeal of flat shoes may well be due to the 1957 film the film Funny Face, in which Audrey Hepburn wore them with skinny jeans – a look that is hugely popular at the moment!

Flat shoes come in a range of materials and designs, and are often cheap enough to replace every few weeks!