The Anatomy of a Shoe
Breast: the front of the heel under the arch
Cap: the toecap
Counter: overlaid piece at the back of the upper
Feather: the part of the last and the shoe where the upper’s edge meets the sole
Insole: a piece of leather or other material between the sole and the foot
Puff: a light reinforcing inside the upper which gives the toe its shape and support
Quarter: the part of the back of the upper, which covers the heel
Seat: the concave part of the heel that fits into the shoe and into which the heel of the foot sits
Shank: a piece of metal inserted between the sole and the insole lying against the arch of the foot
Sole: the piece of leather or other material that comes in contact with the ground
Stiffener: the inside stiffening of the upper, covering the heel and giving the back of the shoe support
Throat: the front of the vamp
Top Piece: the part of the heel that comes in contact with the ground.
Topline: the top edge of the upper
Upper: the piece of the shoe that covers the foot
Vamp: the part of the upper that covers the front of the foot as far as the back as the joint of the big toe
Waist: the part of the last and the shoe that corresponds to the arch and instep of the foot
