Footwear

Abstract

A shoe for enhancing the appearance of a wearer's arch, the shoe comprising an outer portion, and an instep portion, wherein said instep portion is shaped and positioned to create the illusion of a longer or higher arch. The invention includes an instep portion is made from an elastic material. Said instep portion is shaped longer and higher than the wearer's natural arch. Said instep portion is made of the same material as the rest of the shoe but further comprises a design or color to create an appearance of a shadow or is made from a material different in color or in composition from the rest of the shoe. The invention further comprises an arch support mechanism, said arch support mechanism proximate to the instep portion. The arch support mechanism comprises an elastic band stretching along the instep of the foot and/or an inner support layer made from an elastic material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A shoe for enhancing the appearance of a wearer's arch, the shoe comprising:
 an outer portion; and   an instep portion;   wherein said instep portion is shaped and positioned to create the illusion of a longer or higher arch.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the instep portion is made from an elastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the instep portion is shaped longer and higher than the wearer's natural arch. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the instep portion is made of the same material as the rest of the shoe but further comprises a design or color to create an appearance of a shadow. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the instep portion is made of a material different in color or in composition from the rest of the shoe. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising an arch support mechanism, said arch support mechanism proximate to the instep portion. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the arch support mechanism comprises an elastic band stretching along the instep of the foot. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the arch support mechanism comprises an inner support layer made from an elastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bunion suppression portion. 
     
     
         10 . A shoe comprising:
 an outer portion;   an inner portion; and   an elastic arch support;   wherein the elastic arch support is positioned proximate the inner portion along the instep of a wearer's foot.   
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 10 , wherein the inner portion further comprises an arch support region made from an elastic material capable of providing lift and support to the wearer's arch. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 11 , further comprising a bottom portion, wherein the arch support region and the bottom portion are constructed from a single piece of elastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 10 , further comprising an inner support layer, said inner support layer positioned proximate the inner portion and the elastic arch support. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the inner support layer is made of an elastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the inner support layer extends to cover the bottom of the wearer's foot. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the inner support layer is longer than the elastic arch support. 
     
     
         17 . A shoe comprising:
 an outer portion;   an inner portion having an arch region;   an elastic arch support; and   at least one bunion suppression portion;   wherein the elastic arch support is positioned proximate the inner portion along the instep of a wearer's foot;   wherein the arch region of the inner portion is shaped and positioned to create the illusion of a longer or higher arch; and   wherein the at least one bunion suppression portion is positioned to prevent the wearer's foot from development of a bunion.   
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one bunion suppression portion is positioned next to the wearer's first metatarsophalangeal joint. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one cushion. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one cushion is on the bottom near the ball of the wearer's foot.