Whats the differnce between pumps and high heels? females answer please?

Question

Whats the differnce between pumps and high heels?


Also what are those heels called were there is no back and at the front it is open. Here is a picture:

http://www.theshoeblog.com/pics/annieparty.jpg

And what are the ones called that are closed at the toe and no support at the back?

Answer 1

who cares, as long as women wear 5 inch platform high heels!

Answer 2

Last time I looked, I'm not female, but here goes.
The height of heels have nothing to do with the style of a shoe.
Pumps=Closed Toe and Heel. Often referred to as "Opera Pumps".

Also what are those heels called were there is no back and at the front it is open.
Assuming you mean a "Strap at the back"= Open toe,
Slingback.

And what are the ones called that are closed at the toe and no support at the back?

Closed toe "Mules". OR, Open toe Mules.
At one time they were made with a "Spring Insoles" Called "Springolaters". The spring kept the foot pressed upwards against the vamp of the shoe.

All heel heights or flats made in that manner are "Mules or Slides".

The terms "High Heel Mules", "Medium Heel Mules, "Low Heel Mules or Slides", "Wedge Heel Slides", or "Flat Slides", can be used to describe any of those.
"Casual Flats" can be referred to as "Closed toe and Heel", "Open toe, Closed heel", "Closed Toe, Open Heel".

Wedgies the same. High Heel Wedgie, Medium Heel Wedgie, Low Heel Wedgie, and or Mules

High Heels can be 3-4 inches high. With platforms up to 4-5 inches. Medium Heels, usually 2 inches. Low Heels, 1 inch.
Those can vary by fractions of an inch.

Interesting side note.
In the 14-15th Century, Queens in France and England, outlawed high heels to the Commoners. They alone were permitted to wear high heels............You ready?

As high as 8 inches. They had to have two attendents to support them in order to walk.

Additionally, Knights begin to use higher heels, which permitted their boots to stay locked in the stirrups.
(US Western Boots)???????
Those became so rediculous that they couldn't easily dismount.
They also began to extend the length of the toes, and, turned them upwards to the extreme, sometimes had to attach a chain from the toe to the knee in order to prevent the toe from flopping, until dismounting became nearly impossible, without help.

Thought you might enjoy a little history. Much more, too much for here.

My terms may not apply any longer. I'm old and so are those.

Answer 3

Pumps are pointy closed toe shoes with a heel that basically cover your lower part of your foot. That's the most generic shoe that every lady should have..at least one pair. No back w/open toe are peep toe heels. High heels are any shoe for woman that elevate you it doesn't matter if it's open toe, sling back, peep toe, pumps. Closed toe with no support are I guess you could call them high heels. I don't really care for those cause to me it looks like they'll fly right off.

Answer 4

High heels are shoes with a high heel separate from the sole of the shoe. Pumps are shoes that are closed front and back with a high heel. The shoes in the picture are called high heel slides. Closed toe shoes with no back are called mules. They can be flats, wedges, platform or high heels.

Answer 5

Pumps usually don't a high heel on them, if any a very small heel. Flats have no heel at all. And obviously, a high heel has heighth. I'm not sure what you call the shoes that are shown. Usually a shoe with an opening in the toe are called sandals. So maybe a high heel sandal? I do like them! They are cute.

Answer 6

Pumps have a wedge heel. High heels have a definite heel separated from the front of the shoe. Open toe and open back is a sandal. closed toe and no back support is a mule.

Do you have a shoe fetish?? *wink*

Answer 7

Pump has no opennings simple closed toe and back high heel.
And what are the ones called that are closed at the toe and no support at the back? Those are sling backs
That pic is a high heeled sandle

Answer 8

Pumps are a shoe that is closed all around. They can be low heeled or high heeled.

High heels just refers to the fact that the shoe has a heel and is not flat.

The shoes in the picture are called mules or slides.

Answer 9

Pumps are high heels with closed toe and closed back.

Slingbacks are pumps with the strap on the back.

Mules are the ones with no strap on the back and closed toe.

'strappy sandals' (I hate that term) are the open-toe, strap back pumps.

Answer 10

Pumps are high heels. They are enclosed on all sides and basically conservative looking. The other shoes are called slide, mule, sling, to name a few.

Answer 11

nothing. pumps ARE high heels

open toe shoes (could be called peekaboo toe shoes) =]
closed heel shoes or slides