French Footwear Vocabulary les Chaussures

Shoes, shoes, shoes... we are all crazy about them. They are the only thing that always fits. In France, shoes are a very important accessory, and would often change the whole vibe of an outfit. You may already have read tips about what shoes to wear to fit in France, especially for men. Vocabulary About French Shoes Here is a list of French shoe vocabulary. Des chaussures (feminine): shoes. Watch out for your pronunciation. There are 2 Ss, which makes for a strong s sound. There is no z sound in that word. Dont mistake that word with une chaussette a sock. Please note that the word un soulier is a VERY old-fashioned word, that French people dont use anymore.Une semelle: a sole but also an insert.Un lacet: a laceUn talon: a heelLe dessus de la chaussure: the top part of the shoeLe dessous de la chaussure: the bottom part of the shoeLintà ©rieur de la chaussure: the inside of the shoeUn cordonnier is a shoe maker/repairman and he works at une cordonnerie.Shoes are usually consist of en cuir (made of leather), en daim (suede), en synthà ©tique (synthetic), or en toile (cloth). Les Chaussures pour Femmes (Shoes for Women) Des chaussures à   talons: high-heel shoes. Not necessarily super-high, but anything over one inch.Des escarpins (m): classic high-heel shoesDes chaussures plates: flat-heel shoesDes ballerines: ballerinas  Des chaussures à   plateformes: platform shoes (think Lady Gaga)Un talon: a heelDes talons hauts: high-heelsDes talons compensà ©s: wedge shoesDes mocassins (m): loafers (for men and women)Les mules (f):  open-heel shoes, mulesDes derbies et des richelieus (m):  brogues Les Bottes (Boots) Des bottes: boots. Watch out! this sounds like hot not hootDes bottines: ankle boots. We also call them boots with an English pronunciationDes bottes à   talons: high-heel bootsDes Santiags: cowboy bootsDes bottes de ski: ski bootsDes aprà ¨s-ski: snow bootsDes bottes de pluie: rain bootsDes bottes en caoutchouc: rubber bootsDes bottes en cuir: leather boots Les Chaussures de Sport (Sports Shoes) Des baskets (f) tennis shoes, but usually referring to bulky sports shoes youd wear to actually practice a sport, like runners. Say the final t.Des tennis: tennis shoes, but more casual. Frenchmen wear them a lot.Des chaussures de randonnà ©e: hiking bootsDes chaussures de cyclisme: bicycle shoes. You can actually just add any sport after des chaussures de... and it will work for other sports. Plus de Chaussures (Additional Shoes) Des sandales: sandalsDes tongs: flip-flops (say the G)Les nu-pieds: another way to say sandals or flip-flops (lit. naked foot)Des sabots (m) clogsAnd of course, the famous French Espadrilles (f) cloth shoes with rope soles.