Basic Shoe Facts...

Types of Leather               Shoe Conversion Charts              Shoe Styles

TYPES of LEATHER - it is the skin in the upper part of the shoe that more than any other factor determines the quality and cost of a particular shoe. The softer, more supple the leather, the higher the quality. Supple leather will last longer - as it does not crack. Such leather generally comes from smaller animals - kids and calves - which means there is less of it; hence the higher cost

FULL GRAIN LEATHER includes the full thicknesss of the animal hide, minus the very top layer. The original surface is maintained in full grain leather, giving each cut its own unique appearance. The heaviness of full grain leather makes it an ideal choice for boots and rugged footwear

CALFSKIN is leather made from the hide of young cattle. It is lightweight, supple and fine-grained. Generally used fro quality business shoes

COWHIDE is somewhat heavier than calfskin. It can be grained, embossed or finished to enhance its natural texture. Generally found in casual shoes and boots

KIDSKIN is made from the skin of young goats. It is soft and light. Generally used for dress and tailored slip-ons

SUEDE/NUBUCK is leather that is finished on the flesh side of the skin in order to produce a nap. The finest suede is today is made from the male deer / buckskin

CORDOVAN is leather from the rump of a horse, and it is distinguished by its red-brown color. It is perhaps the most durable of all leathers

PATENT LEATHER has a synthetic surface finished to a hard glossy surface coated with varnish or enamel. Its shiny elegance has long been associated generally with dressy and formal shoes

EXOTIC LEATHER includes shark, fish, alligator or other unusual animal skins. The unique and textured appearance of exotic leather gives manufacturers exciting options in producing new styles

ANILIN LEATHER is colored leather, first tanned with a vegetable material and then colored by immersion in dye or by staining. the coloring in anilin leather is often considered superior to natural pigment

UNIVERSAL SHOE CONVERSION CHART

BASIC SHOE STYLES