Saras Fashion Blog

Court shoes are often called pumps, especially in the UK. Traditionally, they’re worn by women, but there are many varieties of court shoes that are worn by men on certain occasions.

The women’s version is the most typical, however, and although many people might not be familiar with the name court shoes, they’ve probably heard the term “pumps” before, and have probably also seen women wearing them  in fashionable settings.

Court shoes are usually not tied or strapped, but instead the feet slip into them. Women’s shoes do have some exceptions to this rule, however,  as some women’s court shoes have an ankle strap.

Court shoes are constructed in a very simple manner, with a single cut of leather for the outside, which is lined with a single cut of cloth for the inside.

Court shoes for women are usually heeled, with a short to medium height heel of the stiletto variety. Court shoes are not always stiletto heeled, though. There have been some innovations in the UK, especially in the last few years, with flat-soled heels.  The whims of high fashion tend to dictate the direction of the style of court shoes in the UK.

Men’s court shoes were once a traditional part of men’s attire during social occasions where there would be dance or music. Court shoes have often been dubbed “opera shoes” since then. In the UK, this tradition was standard by Victorian times.