Although the word “pump” is likely derived from the French word “pompe,” which in 16th-century France was the word for a low shoe worn mostly by men, the pump as we know it today is generally used to describe a slip-on shoe with a rounded or V-shaped throat. Most pumps have heels that are at least moderately high, but the toes of pumps can be round, come to sharp points, or even remain open.

While some pumps rest on relatively modest heels, many people think of pumps and high heels in the same breath. Because a pump’s throat is uninterrupted by Mary Jane-like buckles, t-straps, or even ankle straps, they have a clean, business-wear look. That’s why a good pair of pumps can give a professional woman a commanding and empowering presence in a meeting or interaction with colleagues. Then, back at her desk, she can easily kick off her shoes to give her dogs a rest.

The shapes of pumps can vary, but the classic profile was codified in the 1950s by companies such as Gina in London (named by shoemaker Mehmet Kurdash after his muse, Gina Lollobrigida) and designers like Roger Vivier and Salvatore Ferragamo. Up front the toe comes to a point. In the back, echoing the toe’s geometry, the heel tapers quickly. The outside of the shoe is often monochromatic, constructed from shiny patent leather, mysterious black satin, and soft, elegant suede...

Since World War II, fashion firms as different as Christian Dior and Herbert Levine have produced pumps in a profusion of colors and materials. Gina pumps are often covered from heel to toe with rhinestones and colorful fake jewels; Jimmy Choo likes to shoe his customers in snakeskin and kid leather; Christian Louboutin goes to great lengths to make sure the vamps on his pumps reveal just enough, but not too much, sexy toe cleavage; and Manolo Blahnik likes to let color do the talking, creating pumps with high heels and low-cut lines in brilliant yellows, greens, purples, and, of course, reds.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

Sex, Power, and High Heels: An Interview with Shoe Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack

I came to the Bata Shoe Museum as a cultural art historian with a strong interest in things that are made for immediate consumptio… [more]

Shoe Collector Jonathan Walford on Why Footwear Is So Seductive

I moved to Toronto in the early 1980s because I wanted to work at the Royal Ontario Museum, which had a costume and textiles depar… [more]

Our Bodies, Our Stilettos

Behold the power of the stiletto heel. Despite all the advances women have made, it's one fetish we can't seem to escape, a parado… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

All About Shoes

All About Shoes

From Canada's Bata Shoe Museum comes a visually impressive exhibit focusing on the history of the shoe from traditi… [read review or visit site]

Virtual Shoe Museum

Virtual Shoe Museum

This virtual museum from Shoe Icons Publishing showcases over 800 pairs of shoes and related reference information.… [read review or visit site]



Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 114 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Christian Louboutin Lady Peep Spikes Patent Leather Pump Sz 39Valentino Rockstud Leather Slingback Pump Sz 39 9 $895Christian Louboutin 160 Daffodil Platform PumpChristian Louboutin 160 Daffodil Platform Pump-exagonaChristian Louboutin Black Suede Tartarina Hidden Platform Slingback PumpChristian Louboutin So So Nude Pump / Sandal 39.5 Or 9 $895.00 $1495 Christian Louboutin Miralep Crystal-heel Slingback Pump/shoe Size 37Celine Pointy Silhouette Pump In White Nappa Lambskin Sz 40 9 9.5 10 $750 100% Authentic Louis Vuitton Heels "sardegna Open Toe Pump"wedge Eu 38/7.5 Us !Jimmy Choo 'clue' Champagne Glitter Slingback Pump - 6.5 Us / 37 EuJimmy Choo Pink Suede PumpChristian Dior Size 38.5 Eu Or 8 Us Metallic Pointed Toe Pump Spring 2013Authentic Classic Ysl Tribute Pump 39 Yves Saint Laurent Chocolate BrownChristian Louboutin Simple 85 Black Pump With Box From Barney's Size 10.5 10 1/2Jimmy Choo *authentic* Snakeskin Peeptoe Pump Slingback Sz 37 7 *mint Cond*Jimmy Choo Volt Orchid Patent Slingback Pointy Toed Pump Uk 5.5 Eu 38.5 Us 8.5 Manolo Blahnik Bb Pointed Toe Pump 38 Black Retail $595Christain Louboutin Nude Patent Pump Size 41Christian Louboutin Simple Pump, Black, Size 38.5Yves Saint Laurent Trib Too Pump 5.5$1,015 Charlotte Olympia Women Pump Almond Toe Suede Blush Pink Italy 39 9Christian Louboutin Rolando, Hidden Platform Slingback Pump 38/7.5Christian Louboutin Snorkeling Neoprene Pink Boot Bootie Shoe Gold Heel PumpYsl Tribute PumpGorgeous Miu-miu Glitter Heel Patent Pump - Size 7L K Bennett Aqua Patent Leather Maddox Round Toe Jute Wedge Pump Size 37, Us 7Chanel Leather Patent Cap-toe Cc Logo Pump Shoe ~ Size 9 Us /eur 40Ysl Yves Saint Laurent Black Patent Leather Tribute Shoes/ Pump/ Heels Uk 6. Jimmy Choo "clue" Glitter Slingback Pump Sz. 38.5Chanel Beige With Black Cap Toe Heel Pump Shoe 8.5 38.5Pour La Victoire White Paige Pump High Heels Shoes Sandals Size 7.5 Ret. 279.99Jimmy Choo Gold Glitter Pump 37Miu Miu By Prada Patent Perforated Stud Detail Bow Pump 41 $695Christian Louboutin Open Clic 120 Black Patent Leather Peep Toe Pump$365 Nib Stuart Weitzman Classic Hello Platform Round Toe Pump,black Patent 7.5Christian Louboutin White Bridal Pump 40Yves Saint Laurent Palais Blue Suede Platform Peep Toe Pump Eu 38.5Christian Loubputin Leopard Patent Leather Pump Size 412013 L.k. Bennett 'shilo' Pump Nude Patent Leather 36.5/6.5 $305Ysl Tribtoo Slingback Pump 38 - Barely UsedBrown Gucci Peep Toe Logo Embedded Pump Size 8Ysl Yves Saint Laurent Rare Grey Flannel Tribtoo Pump Size 38.5Prada Neon Yellow Patent Platform Peep Toe Pump Sz.37 $720Authentic Prada Camel Leather Platform Pump Size 36.5 / 6.5 Steal! Worn Once!!!Christian Louboutin Black Patent Open Toe Pump/heel 39 Or 8 1/2Auth Chanel Black Suede Pointed Cc Embellished Pump Sz 38 8 In BoxGucci Beige Pump Size 37. Retail $595Nib Jimmy Choo Lira Floral Faille Pump - Size 8 Us / 39 Eu Paid $850.00Christian Louboutin "flo Patent Leather Red Sole Peep-toe Pump"pink Size 6.5Giuseppe Zanotti Red Suede Pump Sz 41Manolo Blahnik Black Silk D'orsay Pump Shoes Sz 42Authentic Christian Louboutin Prorata Tan Nude Cork Pump Heel 36 (us 6)Chanel Black Leather Cc Logo Cap Toe Pump Heels Shoes 38 Classic Made In FranceChristian Louboutin Simple Pump Camel Suede Pumps Shoes 37Auth Chanel Black Suede Square Logo Embroidered Pump Sz 39 9 In Box $1376.01 Anyi Lu Patent Leather Croc Moc Peep Toe High Heels Pump Shoes Women's 37 Mint$576 Prada Black Suede Platform Slingback Pump Sandal Eu 38 / Us 7.5 ItalyPrada Black Patent Leather Vernice Glamour Pump 40 $595Salvatore Ferragamo Vara Pump With Grosgrain Bow, 7 Aa (mint Condition) W/boxChanel Shoes 37 Vintage Cream Cc Logo Leather Pump 74 97