The next shoe component under the microscope in our What’s In A Shoe? series is the upper. The upper is the material that covers the entire top and sides of the foot in the shoe. It is possibly the first thing that we look at when looking at a shoe, and deciding whether to buy it.
Whether it is a high heel, oxford flat or sandal the upper is varied by design and choice of materials. This ultimately distinguishes the shoe into a particular style type and with clever design can make a shoe a true work of art. But how to choose an upper that best suits your feet?
Although the upper is used as the broad term to describe the entire section of the shoe that covers the foot, it can be further categorised into the heel counter, vamp, quarter, toe box, lace guard and tongue.
The vamp is the section of shoe that covers the front and side parts of the foot. It connects with the toe box which is positioned over the toes and the quarter which is placed at the sides of the shoe. I bet you didn’t realise it was so complex!
The heel counter is at the very rear of the shoe. The lace guard sits on either side of the tongue and connects to the vamp and the quarter.
Obviously every shoe doesn’t contain all of the above listed components of an upper. For example a basic pump contains a heel counter, toe box, vamp and quarter. A sports shoe on the other hand contains all of the components. Further, a closed toe mule contains a toe box, vamp and quarter. The style of the shoe depicts however many elements of the upper are used.
Of more interest is the wide choice of materials used in creating an upper. These may be leather or fabric – the sky’s the limit really, but materials are generally chosen depending on what the shoe is going to be used for. The Blahnik Swan pump featured on our previous blog post is made of silk with crystal embellishment. This shoe is not made for everyday use as the material is not as durable as leather. However, it is perfect for a wedding or ball!
These Manolo Blahniks are amazing – the upper consists of a suede heel counter, quarter and part of a vamp. The strap across the toes is of a gold leather which contrasts the black suede perfectly. Amazing design! (A bit high for too much standing or walking though – ouch!)
What about these Balmain 2018 boots? Ah-may-zing. This upper contains all of the upper components with complex detail. The ribbed leather components overlap and run at different directions to create a unique artistic finish. We love these, and certainly bet they would be more stable than your average heeled boot!
So what does this mean for your shoe shopping? Below we’ve compiled a checklist of things for you to consider in picking the perfect upper –
1.Consider the material
It’s important to consider the material of the shoe upper both from a perspective of activity and comfort. Are you planning lots of walking in these shoes? Better not go for a stiff patent leather. Do you want something that’s durable for day-to-day work use? Consider a higher quality leather or suede vs a cheap synthetic material.
3. Consider the design including any embellishments, straps and stitching
You’ve heard us talk about this before here at TWH but there is nothing worse than a spot of irritation to ruin your shoe experience! Watch out for any sharp stitching, bulky embellishments, or misplaced straps when considering an upper.
4. Consider the fit! Always!
Is the shoe wide/deep enough for you in the toe area for you if you have a bunion? What about the middle of the foot for those with a high arch – this needs to be accommodating so as not to leave a nasty indent on the top of the foot. And as always, is the heel counter right for you? Check out our YouTube video below where we talk about exactly this, and how important it is to know your stuff in order to be able to nail your shoe choice –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY7rY2sYn1c&t=382s
So next time you purchase your next pair of shoes spare a thought to what it is that love about them. Is is the material, upper design or a combination of both? More importantly, use our checklist to help decide which style is best for you!
Until next time,
E&E
Image credits – Pinterest. Contact hello@the-well-heeled.com to have your image credited.
