Just curious, but any specific name for these in English?

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Just curious, but any specific name for these in English?

Irene

Veteran

How would you call these shoes?

http://www.calzadoscomodos.com.....%20071.jpg

In Spain we call them 'Victoria's because that's the brand that makes them (just like we call Converses 'Converses', but since it is a Spanish brand, I though maybe you had another name for them? Or maybe you don't have that at all? I've seen them in the UK though.

And these? http://www.solostocks.com/img/.....3605n0.jpg

This a mainly Spanish type of shoe, called 'abarca' and very popular in the Isle of Menorca, but maybe you have them in the other side of the ocean as well?

14 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

kimmyintexas

(website)

Active Member

I think most people would refer to the first ones as "Keds" because that is a commom brand of that type of shoe.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

yep, the first we would call Keds, much like one would call a tissue Kleenex. The second pair I'm not familiar with.

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

A third vote for calling the first kind Keds... I don't think I have seen the second style around here.

14 years ago

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

Maybe it's a Canadian thing, but I grew up calling the first 'tennis shoes' (no idea why).

I think the abarcas really are Spain specific. I'm not sure you can even buy them in North America. Whenever I've seen them it's been in Spain or on people who bought them while travelling in Spain - and they've always called them abarcas

14 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Being from the UK I'd call the first ones pumps. I've not seen the second ones before x

14 years ago

Aunty

Veteran

Same as Louise for me

14 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I'd call the first plimsolls LOL (also from the UK) and the abarcas you can get in the UK - http://varca.com/home.asp? (my parents had a villa in Menorca for a while, and had quite a few pairs of these shoes).

14 years ago

Irene

Veteran

Well, now I know what keds are!! I always wondered about that when I read about them lol British girls, pumps? Seriously? I though those were dressy shoes!!

I used to wear abarcas as a kid, and they are amazing uses, quite flattering for casual outfits and -when you get used to them- comfortable. The problem lays on getting used to them. They are really hard shoes and until the thick leather stretches, oh my...

14 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

The first kind I would call tennis shoes (generic name) and bestselling brands of this are Keds and Converse. The second kind I have never seen in the US, but they are constructed like an espadrille (made out of canvas, prominent stitching), only they are of a slingback style, whereas a classic espadrille typically covers the heel and has jute trim on the side of the sole.

14 years ago

Patty

Veteran

Canvas runners--Tennis shoes---in French Canadian-espadrilles.
To me, my grass cutting shoes LOL.

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Girl X, my in-laws are from the midwest and everyone calls them "tennies" for tennis shoes too. When my husband moved East, it would drive me BANANAS ! I would also call them Keds.

14 years ago

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