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Shoemaking Vocabulary

This page from the EnglishClub English for Work series lists typical words and phrases used in the shoemaking industry, with example sentences showing vocabulary in context, together with a definition or meaning.
vocabulary example sentence meaning
ankle boot (noun) She prefers to wear an ankle boot than a high boot. footwear that covers the whole foot and ankle
binding (noun) Usually binding is made of the same material as the material of the upper. strip sewn over or along an edge for reinforcement or decoration
buckle (noun) The buckle of that shoe is the most beautiful of the whole collection. fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
clog (noun) She was trying to find a new pair of fashion clogs. footwear usually with wooden soles
colour swatch (noun) He's using the colour swatch to choose different materials and colours to make all the shoes of his order. sample pieces of several materials and colours used to make the shoes
cotton (noun) A new cotton material was used to produce that special part of the shoe. fabric woven from cotton fibres
cuff (noun) The cuff alignment allows the boot cuff to follow the line of the leg in the boot. the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of a material
eyelet (noun) The most popular shoe-tying is a simple crisscross, each end of the shoelace pulled through the next eyelet on the opposite flap. fastener consisting of a metal ring for lining a small hole to permit the attachment of cords or lines
fashioned (adjective) Those clients bought fashioned shoes. planned and made or designed artistically
fitting (noun) The fitting of the shoe is approved. making or becoming suitable; adjusting
foam (noun) The foam's properties allow the shoe to change with the wearer's foot as it shrinks and swells throughout the day. a lightweight material in cellular form; made by introducing gas bubbles during manufacture
heel (noun) She prefers to buy shoes with high heels. the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground
heel cap (noun) She prefers to have a heel cap on the heel of her shoes. She doesn't like a painted heel. material covering the heel of a boot or shoe and reinforcing or decorating it
insole (noun) Insoles can add extra cushioning and shock absorption to your walking shoes. the inner sole of a shoe or boot
instep girth (noun) In order to obtain a good impermeability, the sealing element extends continuously from the toe of the liner sole up to the area of the instep girth. the arch of the foot; circumference
kidskin (noun) They only produce shoes using kidskin leather. soft smooth leather from the hide of a young goat
last (noun) It's necessary to have a perfect last to produce those expensive shoes. holding device shaped like a human foot that is used to fashion or repair shoes
lift (noun) Most parts of lifts are black or dark brown. a device worn in a shoe or boot to make the wearer look taller or to correct a shortened leg
lining (noun) They usually choose the same colour of upper to produce the fabric lining of their shoes. a protective covering that protects the inside surface of the upper
ornament (noun) The shoe buckle has also been important as an ornament. something used to beautify; decoration
pin (noun) New shoe pins are now available to be used by designers. small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations
print (noun) The client can put its own print on the insole. a visible indication made on an insole
reverse side (noun) They used a new reverside side piece to produce the back part of the shoe. a reverse piece of material that composes the back to protect the heel
rivet (noun) There are a lot of coloured rivets on that upper. ornament having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
rubber (noun) He was developing a new rubber sole for the ankle boot. made of rubber and therefore water-repellent
sandal (noun) She loves those thin straps on her sandals. a shoe consisting of a sole fastened by straps to the foot
seam (noun) The medial and lateral sections join in a seam at the back end of the shoe. joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
sewing needle (noun) They used a special sewing needle to produce that shoe. a needle used in sewing to pull thread through cloth
shoe factory (noun) That shoe factory produces a very large quantity of casual shoes. a factory where shoes are made
shoe lace (noun) The shoelace can be untied and loosened, permitting the shoe to open wide to admit the wearer's foot. a lace used for fastening shoes
shoebox (noun) They used a white plain shoebox to put the shoe inside. an oblong rectangular (usually cardboard) box designed to hold a pair of shoes
skin (noun) They use a specific cow's skin to produce their shoes. the layer of tissue that forms the natural outer covering of an animal
sole (noun) This line of shoes has several options for the sole. the underside of footwear
tannery (noun) A tannery transforms raw hides and skins into leather for manufacturing articles like shoes. workplace where skins and hides are processed
tight (adjective) I hate wearing these old shoes. They're too tight for me. closely constrained or constricted/constricting
tissue paper (noun) The shoes are wrapped in tissue paper and packed in cardboard boxes. thin, translucent paper used for packing, wrapping or protecting shoes
toecap (noun) The toecap of his shoe has a big whole on it. It needs to be fixed. material covering the toe of a boot or shoe and reinforcing or decorating it
tongue (noun) The double tongue allows the tongue to be up but at the same time folded forward to create a unique style to the shoe. the flap of material under the laces of a shoe or boot
upper (noun) That upper gives a nice design to the shoe. piece of material that forms the part of a shoe or boot above the sole
vamp (noun) He developed a new combination of leathers to create the vamp of that fashion shoe. piece of leather forming the front part of the upper of a shoe
Based on a list kindly provided by Felipe Daniel Haag

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