Slingback
Encyclopedia
A slingback is a type of woman's shoe
that is backless and is characterized by a strap that crosses behind the heel
or ankle
. A slingback is distinguishable from an ankle-strap shoe in that the latter has a strap that crosses around the front of the ankle as well as the back.
Slingbacks come in a wide variety of styles from casual to dressy, with heel height ranging from none to high, and they may be either closed- or open-toe. They have been fashionable since the 1930s and continue to be popular today. One reason for slingbacks' wide appeal is that they allow the wearer to slip her foot into the shoe easily without needing to make major (or any) manual adjustment to the strap or buckle
, while still holding the foot in the shoe relatively securely. The buckle can be made of metal, plastic, or even sometimes stone. Nevertheless, when engaging in more vigorous activity such as ballroom dancing, women often find that they need shoes that are more secure than slingbacks. Alternatively, slides are preferable for some women who find that the sling, or back ankle strap, produces blisters.
Shoe
A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with appearance originally being tied to function...
that is backless and is characterized by a strap that crosses behind the heel
Heel
In human anatomy, the heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.- Human anatomy :...
or ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
. A slingback is distinguishable from an ankle-strap shoe in that the latter has a strap that crosses around the front of the ankle as well as the back.
Slingbacks come in a wide variety of styles from casual to dressy, with heel height ranging from none to high, and they may be either closed- or open-toe. They have been fashionable since the 1930s and continue to be popular today. One reason for slingbacks' wide appeal is that they allow the wearer to slip her foot into the shoe easily without needing to make major (or any) manual adjustment to the strap or buckle
Buckle
The buckle or clasp is a device used for fastening two loose ends, with one end attached to it and the other held by a catch in a secure but adjustable manner. Usually overlooked and taken for granted, the invention of the buckle has been indispensable in securing two ends before the invention of...
, while still holding the foot in the shoe relatively securely. The buckle can be made of metal, plastic, or even sometimes stone. Nevertheless, when engaging in more vigorous activity such as ballroom dancing, women often find that they need shoes that are more secure than slingbacks. Alternatively, slides are preferable for some women who find that the sling, or back ankle strap, produces blisters.