There are some shoes that are the boiled-down essence of their particular look. That have become synonymous over the years with a whole variety of lifestyles.

You have your anti-establishment Doc Marten 1460’s (introduced in 1960).

doc martens

Your once-athletic and now indie/alternative Converse All Stars (introduced in 1917).

converse hitops

There’s your ultimate in uptown ladylike chic, Repetto BB flats (introduced in 1956 and named for their intended client: Brigitte Bardot).

repetto flats

And your life-of-leisure Gommino driving moc by Tods (introduced in the 1970s).

tods driving moc

See… a shoe can evoke an entire lifestyle.

For more of the top 50 iconic shoes (as chosen by Footwear News), check out the slideshow at their site.