People who know fashion know the importance of trendy shoes. They can elevate your whole outfit or make it dull. The kind of shoes you wear depends on what occasion it is. Different shoes are made for different purposes and have different comfort levels. However, some brands provide high-level comfort in different shoe types. The making process of shirts, skirts, and jackets is easy to understand. But shoes follow a complex series of processes, and you might often think about how they are made. 

Let’s solve the mystery of how shoes are designed and made for your better understanding: 

• Initial Design

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The foremost important aspect is to create an initial design. It is like planning what the shoes will look like. In this process, only one person can be the mastermind or a whole team providing their input. Commonly, shoe design has two phases: initial and technical. 

The creator who is designing the shoes starts the initial design. Their primary focus is on the aesthetics of the shoes and core technical aspects. They decide what the shoes would look like and feel when worn. 

After which, the initial designer plans the shoes or passes them on to another designer if they like. The other designer could be someone from their own or an outsider design company. 

Now, we enter the technical design, where the initial design is refined and matched to the customer’s needs. The technical designer overcomes the practical challenges and decides what material should be used, the specifications and dimensions of the shoes, etc. 

• Shoe Material

The shoes’ insoles, outsole, and upper parts are made from different materials. The upper could be synthetic, and the outsole could be rubber or leather. The material usage relies on the purpose, the type of shoes being manufactured and the style. 

Leather is a commonly used outsole material for dressing shoes, while synthetic material is used for athletic and casual shoes. If you are environmentally conscious, consider a brand that makes shoes using sustainable resources. 

• Making a Last

Upon entering a store, you might have noticed different mannequins wearing shirts and clothing. These mannequins are used for designing and modelling clothes. So think of a last as the model for shoes. These last do not flex or bend. They are not elastic. This is usually made of a semi-hard or hard material such as rubber or wood. Every shoe requires to be modelled around a last. The last is made considering the different requirements for both right and left foot shapes. 

• Initial Manufacturing

The initial manufacturing process involves a huge amount of stamping and marking. Before this process, the last was made, and the materials were sourced. Shoes manufactured by hand require careful stamping of each part. These stamps suggest where the cut will be made and where the seams will be. Shoes manufactured via machine require a perfect die to cut. A unique cutter is necessary for every part of the shoes. This might involve many different dice to ensure that all the unique pieces are made. 

• Sewing 

Now comes the sewing part, where the different components of shoes are cut and sewn together. This is when the outsole, insole and upper start to assemble. How the upper part of the shoes and its insole connect is known as welting; how a shoe is welted depends on the company making the shoes. This work can be done using hands, a sewing machine, or a heavy machine. Though practically the welt is not created, the shoe is assembled around the last created. Once completed, the sewer inserts the holes for eyelets. 

• Welting

There are diverse ways to create welts on shoes. The most popular one is using vulcanised rubber. A huge number of casual shoes are worn through this method. Here, the shoes are made by melting the rubber to the right degree, where it bonds to different materials. It was invented by Charles Goodyear, making it possible to welt several shoes together fast. 

• Decorating

After the welting is done, now comes the role of adding fancy accessories and decorative elements to the shoes. The decoration is the personalisation of each brand and the designer. Thus, they do what is their trademark. The designer might also hide any sign of their previous work in this process. If any discolouration, warps or holes from the manufacturing process still exist, they are eliminated. A quality check is also done to ensure the shoes fulfil their purpose. 

• The Store

The shoes are then sent to the showroom or store. This is where the final shoes are sent to be sold or shipped. From this, you get the results you see in stores or when you order them at home. 

Conclusion

Shoes are a person’s best friend. They help level up your style game. So now, when looking for trendy shoes for men, you will know the behind-the-scenes of the manufactured product. Explore the different shoe patterns and types in the market; choose the perfect pair that matches your style and slay!