Why Do You Need My Shoes? Trivia Quiz

Answer: You were going hiking in the snow

This is an old Native American snowshoe and was designed to be used for walking on snow. Their broad flat design kept the wearer from sinking into the snow, basically floating on the top layer of snowfall. This type of footwear was originally made of wood and rawhide, but are usually made of plastic, metal, and synthetic fabrics today.

The exact origin of snowshoes is unknown, although it is known that they were used in the northern reaches of North America, Asia, and Europe for millennia. Many consider them to be the predecessor to the modern snow ski.

Answer: Old Chinese woman

This intricately embroidered shoe is known as a lotus shoe and would have been worn by a Chinese woman who had her feet bound. Foot binding started in the 11th century and was practiced until the beginning of the 20th century. These tiny slippers are only about 4 in. long and were designed to draw attention to the "beautiful" tiny foot of the wearer.

At the turn of the 21st century there were still survivors of this atrocious practice that caused great pain and left the woman able to walk only very short distances, if at all.

Answer: Native American artisan

These soft-soled leather shoes are called moccasins and were worn by many Native American tribes. These would have been considered dress moccasins used for special events. The beading and making of moccasins took years to master and those that were worn for everyday wear would not have been as elaborate as this pair.

There were many variations of moccasin, usually mirroring the geography in which the wearer lived.

Answer: Pointe shoes

The proper name for these shoes is pointe shoes and are used by dancers to perform 'en pointe' or on the tips of their toes. Usually worn only by female ballerinas, these shoes are usually made to custom fit each dancer's foot, although there are some models that are mass produced.

This satin shoe has a box in the front end of the shoe which surrounds and supports the performer's toes. There is also stiffer material in the sole of the shoe to provide support for the arch of the foot.

Answer: Penny loafers

Penny loafers are a type of casual slip-on shoe. In the 1950s, teenagers in America began putting a penny in the diamond shaped strap on the top of the shoe, giving rise to the term 'penny-loafer'. Slip-on style shoes are popular all over the world and come in a myriad of colors and styles.

Answer: Chopine

These terribly uncomfortable-looking shoes are called chopines. They were a popular style of women's shoes which originated in 15th century Venice, Italy. The idea of these shoes was protection rather than high fashion. The female wearer was elevated high off the ground, protecting her long gown and her dance shoes.

These were usually only worn by women of status or courtesans. The height of the chopine was also an indication of the wearer's social status. The higher the chopine, the higher her social status.

Answer: Patent leather

This pair of mens shoes are made of patent leather. This shiny leather was first made in the early part of the 19th century and is still popular 200 years later. This type of leather is covered with a heavy black (usually)lacquer which is then polished to a very high gloss.

This material is used for both mens and women's shoes. Modern patent leather is often coated with a plastic coating to protect the finish.

Answer: Crakow

Crakows were a 15th century European shoe most famous for its very long toes. It derived its name from the belief that the style originated in the city of Krakow, Poland. The toes of the shoes could be up to six inches long and were sometimes attached to the knee with a ribbon or string to keep the toes out of the way while walking.

The toes were stuffed with old cloth or moss to help keep their shape.

Answer: Stiletto heel

This shoe has what is known as a stiletto heel. This is possibly the most popular heel style for dress shoes. The name is a descriptive term related to the stiletto knife and the term and style came about around the 1930s. They are popular because they tend to make women's legs look longer and slimmer.

They also make the foot look smaller. So despite the discomfort they may cause the wearer, they have continued to be popular through most of the 20th century and into the early 21st century.

Answer: Gaiters

Gaiters were/are a protective style of footwear that is worn over the shoes and sometimes the lower pant leg. They are usually worn when hiking in the woods, or during involvement in equestrian events. When they are worn purely for fashion they are called spats. Very fashionable during the Victorian era, they can be seen in many paintings from that period.