Welcome to a page which aims to catalogue every style of footwear.
Ballet Shoe (Pointe)
The pointe / point / tip of the shoe is flat and can withstand a great deal of pressure. The shoe is alot more sturdy than appearance dictates. The shoes do however need replacing after only a few sessions of wear. The shank used cannot withstand the pressure performance after performance.
Birkenstock
This Sandal was created by a Germany cobbler. The upper sole is usually made from cork. The cork is sometimes lined with leather or suede, and nowadays features a latex footbed. The straps can come in a variety of designs, sometimes a v-shape, or two sideways straps.
Boat shoe
The style of the upper can vary, but a true boat shoes often looks very similar in design to a Moccasin with tramline stitching. The sole is always flat, and the overall dimensions of the shoe appear diminutive. The style can be summed up as low and flat, the upper is especially low around the ankle.
Brogues
The
word brogue is from Gaelic heritage. The shoe can come in either a derby or oxford
design, but always features decorative seams and a toe cap 
of pressed holes.
Brocade
Brocade is a type of patterned material, elaborate in natural it's style is of Asian origin. A brocade shoe is any style of shoe which features patterned material on the upper of a brocade origin.
Chelsea boot
A slip on ankle high boot. A section on the sides of the heel features an elastic panel. The elastic provide the give needed so someone can slip on the boot with ease.
The purpose of this shoe is obvious. Many 'Indie' shoe firms are making replicas like Merrell. A climbing shoe should feature a flat rubber sole, which should warm up to provide extra friction for grip. The toe cap should include extended rubber for grip. Tight fitting and durable.
Clog
The traditional shoe of the Dutch. It was originally made from wood. I would not catalogue it as a shoe from from wood presently. Only the design remains, a slip-on shoe, with no covering for the heel or rear of the foot.
Cowboy boot
A boot made famous by the Wild West films of America. It's primary function is as a riding boot. The pointed toe, and a high heel aim to keep the foot firmly placed in a stirrup while riding.
Derby
A
formal men's shoes. It's most distinctive feature is a high v-shaped front with
2-5 rows of 
eyelets for the laces.
The vamp is long and classically regal. Usually a plain toe cap.
Espadrille
A type of sandal which originates from the Pyrenees (area covering the South of France and Northern Spain). A simple shoe, with a sole made from rope.
Flip Flops
Cheap and simple footwear. Only contains a strip of material for the sole, and a v-shaped strap to hold the toes and foot in place. They are convenient, and can be put on and removed in seconds. In the west they are commonly worn by swimmers and people on the beach. In the Far East their use is widespread.
Golf shoes
Either feature molded grips or metal spikes formed into the sole. Depends on the daily conditions, for wet and damp ground spikes are needed to provide grip when driving off the tee or using an iron on the fairway. In the summer months when the ground is hard a shoe with rubber formed grips are used to provide friction and grip on hard surfaces.
Hiking
A boot made from hard wearing leather and fabrics. The sole is made from rubber, and the upper can be covered by waterproofing fabric. A boot which is demanded alot of, most notably it needs to be comfortable and extremely durable.
Hi Tops
The most famous hi-top sneaker is the All-Star from converse. The name is a dead give away to the design of the sneaker. A hi-top is basically a sneaker which covers the ankles.
Loafer
A slip on men's shoes which features no laces. They can often have upturned tramline stitching like a Moccasin, tassels on the vamp and can be either formal or casual in nature.
Mary Jane
A ladies shoe, the style and shape of the sole, heel and upper can differ greatly. The identifying part is a strap which goes horizontally across the middle of the foot. A child like simple shoe.
Moccasin
A true moccasin is made from one piece of leather. It's roots are from Native Americans. Most modern moccasins now feature a rubber sole, and the footwear usually only replicates the original design in style.
Monk
The
distinctive feature of a monk shoe is a strap 
instead of laces. Otherwise it's a standard men's formal leather shoe.
Mukluk
The traditional boot of the Yupik tribe of the Western Alaskan area. Worn in Artic conditions it features wools and furs to keep the wearer as warm as possible.
Mule
The toe can be exposed or covered. But the ankle is always exposed, likewise the foot from the centre backwards. The heel can vary in height and shape. Very similar to a clog.
Oxford
The
standard design for most men's formal shoes. The leather upper is bland in nature,
with none of the frills associated with Brogues. A plain and simple shoe which
at most will have a 
stitched toe
cap section.
Peekaboo
A ladies shoe with a small open panel which shows a glimpse of the toes.
Initially created to help people grow a few inches. The shoe has a long past, all through the history of footwear you can find instances of platform shoes. In contemporary times the 1970's was a boom time for the platform shoe. It's the type of style which is either the vogue of the moment or a humorous curiosity.
Plimsoll
The most basic of sports footwear. A simple canvas upper and rubber sole. Primarily for use in gyms and for gymnastics. They will most likely conjure up thoughts of school and being forced to attempt rope climbing. Dunlop and Fred Perry do sell more expensive plimsolls, usually aimed at players of sports like squash and badminton.
Sandal
An age old style of footwear which dates back as far as the 'Ancient Greeks' and further. The upper usually contains straps, and leaves the toes exposed. A simple, cheap form of footwear which is popular in the warmer months of the year.
Skateboarding shoes
The sole is always flat to provide maximum grip on the surface of the board. The upper is usually made from tough suede. The foot is often grinded along the board, so the suede has to be extremely durable and to withstand alot of mistreatment.
Slingback
A ladies shoe, the style and shape of the sole, heel and upper can differ greatly. The identifying part of a slingback is a single thin strap which goes around the back of the ankle.
Slouched boot
A boot with baggy loose leather which tends to 'slouch' in a relaxed manner.
Slipper
Footwear designed for the indoors. Comfort is the prerequisite for a slipper. Therefore the upper is usually made from a soft fabric.
Soccer Boots
Still
called boots because of their heritage (up until the 1970's football boots did
cover the ankles of players). Present day football boots do not cover the ankles,
and are basically shoes. Some come with removable studs, others with grips formed
into the sole. Every since the release of the 
Adidas
Predator boot technology has dominated this arena of footwear. The leather is
now formed into varying patterns to give players the ability to swerve the football
more.
Worn
by athletes and couch potatoes alike. Called 'sneakers' in the USA and 'trainers'
in the UK. Initially developed for runners, athletes and sports people. They were
so comfortable however that people wore them as casual footwear. Present day sneakers
are divided into sports and casual wear. Casual sneakers have remained faithful
to the simplicity of the original design. Whereas sports trainers have continued
to develop technically and are often too geeky to be fashionable. Catalogue firms
enjoy selling the, due to their regularity of form 
catalogues have no issue in size fittings which plague footwear sales.
Stiletto
Named after it's distinctive wather thin tapering heel .The heel is at least an inch in length, which makes for a challenging shoe to wear.
Wellington Boot
Named after the famous English general 'The Duke of Weillington' who defeated Napolean at the Battle of Waterloo. For short called the 'welly' it's a knee high boot made from rubber which is waterproof. In the 'The Duke of Wellington's' day it's doubtful he ever wore a boot made from rubber, as this process was developed nearly forty years after his famous win at Waterloo.
WingTip
A dress shoe with a flowing pattern which resembles a wing. The shoe is either in black or white leather, or can be a combination of both. Usually features punched holes in the leather as well.