Loafer: traditionally flat or low-heeled shoe with closed toe and back, generally with a tongued structure. Often features decorative flourishes, such as tassels, bands, or little slots to accommodate loose change. Recently manufacturers have attempted to spice up the loafer’s lackluster image with chunky heels.

Mary Jane: general term to describe a closed-toe and closed-back shoe with a support strap across the top of the foot, near the ankle. The straps are traditionally buckled.

Mule: maddeningly vague general term to describe any open-backed, closed-toed shoe. Clogs are a form of mule. Certain sandals may be a form of mule.

Nubuck: see “Calfskin” above. Again, if you know the difference between the two please keep it to yourself.

Oxford: good grief. A full-coverage, laced shoe with any variety of heel heights. No confirmation yet as to whether this is the bastard cousin of the Oxford shirt, although both sides deny it.

Platform: a shoe with elevation in the sole of 1” or more, frequently in addition to staggeringly high heels.

Pump: another largely useless term to describe a closed-toed and closed-back shoe with heel height of 2” or more.
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