Shoes are a vital part of our daily attire. They provide us with comfort and reflect our cultural and personal preferences. But did you know different cultures around the world have their own unique style of shoes that are not only fashionable but also play an important role in preserving cultural identity?
From the wooden clogs of the Dutch to the elegant Indian Juttis, Â the humble shoe can broaden our children's understanding of the world and its rich cultural diversity! In this article, we will explore ten types of shoes worn by different cultures around the globe and guess what? Most of them are available as kids shoes too!
10 Types of Globe Trotters
Juttis:
Perfect for weddings and formal occasions, these handmade Indian shoes are popular in northern India. They are made from leather and are intricately embroidered with beads and threads. The 'nokh' or curved tip on jutti slippers is only reserved for men's shoes. But even more interesting than that is the fact that during festivals, juttis are made to fit on the hooves of cows!
Huaraches:
Huaraches are sandals commonly worn in Mexico. They have a woven leather upper and a rubber sole. They are light and comfortable, which makes them perfect for hot climates.
Wooden Clogs:
Traditional Dutch shoes are made from wood. Farmers originally wore clogs to protect their feet from mud and hard surfaces. However, today they have become a fashion statement and are often worn during Dutch festivals.
Alpargatas:
Alpargatas are traditional Spanish shoes with a simple design, canvas or cotton upper, and a rope sole. The Spanish love them because they are comfortable and breathable, making them ideal for their hot summers.
Babouches:
Babouches are traditional Moroccan shoes with a pointed toe and a flat sole. They are usually made from leather or silk and are worn by both men and women. They are perfect for casual and formal occasions and are greatly prized because they are super easy to slip on and off for prayer.
Geta:
The geta is a traditional Japanese shoe made from wood. They have a unique elevated platform that separates the sole from the ground and are often worn for Japanese festivals and formal occasions. Geta for guys are rectangular, while the ladies' version is more oval.Â
Espadrilles:
Espadrilles are traditional shoes worn in countries like Spain, France, and Italy for centuries. They typically have a canvas or cotton upper and a rope sole. They are light and comfortable, making the perfect footwear for warm European holiday weather!
Moccasins:
Moccasins are traditional Native American shoes made from soft leather or suede. They have a flat sole and are the perfect shoe for relaxing around the home or taking a stroll into town. Because they are so comfortable and stylish, they've become a popular shoe around the world.
Sabots:
Going to a wedding soon? Perhaps a pair of Sabots should be on your shopping list! Sabots are traditional French shoes made from wood. They are similar in design to wooden clogs but have a more refined appearance and are perfect for formal occasions. Just be careful you don't upstage the bride with your fancy footwear!
Piper Finn Kids Shoes:
Naturally, our favorite shoes from around the world are our Piper Finn kids shoes. Yes, we are unashamedly biased, and for that, we won't apologise! Our girls and boys kid shoes are made from 100% leather and designed by those who know what's needed in a good shoe – moms, of course! In fact, we're so confident our kids shoes are the best, we've even created an adult version of our comfy footwear. Check out our Piper Finn site here; you'll even find a range of infant shoes perfect for the smallest person in your home.
Final Shoe for Thought
Shoes and even kids shoes serve a practical purpose and play an important role in reflecting a culture's identity and history. As parents, we can share this knowledge with our children and broaden their perspective of the world. Helping our kids to understand and appreciate different cultures is an essential step towards building a more inclusive and diverse society.
Image by KULADEEP KUMAR SADEVI from Pixabay
