A decoration for a shoe element and a method of decorating a shoe element includes the steps of cutting a substrate to correspond to the shape of the shoe element and applying decorative elements to the substrate. Openings are cut in a protective cover to align with areas where the decorative elements are applied to the substrate. The protective cover and the substrate are aligned, including aligning the openings in the protective cover with the decorative elements on the substrate. In the process, the substrate is coupled to the protective cover to form a one piece, and the one piece is coupled to the shoe element. The decoration, once installed on the shoe, includes the substrate under the protective cover with raised decorative elements appearing through the openings.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

A retractable high heel shoe. The retractable high heel shoe includes a shoe having an upper portion extending perpendicularly upwards from a sole defining an interior volume that can receive a foot therein. A heel having a lower side is affixed to the sole at a rear side of the shoe. The heel includes a plurality of sections that can telescopically move between an extended position and a retracted position.

A retractable high heel shoe. The retractable high heel shoe includes a shoe having an upper portion extending perpendicularly upwards from a sole defining an interior volume that can receive a foot therein. A heel having a lower side is affixed to the sole at a rear side of the shoe. The heel includes a plurality of sections that can telescopically move between an extended position and a retracted position.

A shielding cup is provided for use with a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. The shielding cup is attached to a shoe heel as a temporary fix for a worn heel tip. The cup can be attached to the heel by a self-fusing member that binds to itself. The cup can also be attached by using a heat source and collapsible heat-concentrating accessory to concentrate heat on the heat-shrink version of the shielding cup. The cup can also be press fit on to the heel tip without the use of a self-fusing member or collapsible heat-concentrating accessory. Embodiments of the cup that can be press fit on to the heel tip include a rigid portion adjacent the base of the cup that engages the heel tip and a flexible portion extending away from the base of the cup. The flexible portion can be achieved by tapering the sidewalls of the cup along a longitudinal axis of the cup. Some embodiments of the cup that can be press fit on to the heel tip include a widened base having an outer periphery that is larger than an inner periphery.

A retractable heel for a shoe is described herein comprising an upper heel body and a retractable lower heel body. The lower heel body is may be placed in at least two configurations. In a first configuration, with the lower heel body retracted, the upper heel body may contact the ground when the shoe is worn. In a second configuration, with the lower heel body not retracted, the upper heel body may not contact the ground when the shoe is worn, being prevented from doing so by the lower heel body.

A retractable heel for a shoe is described herein comprising an upper heel body and a retractable lower heel body. The lower heel body is may be placed in at least two configurations. In a first configuration, with the lower heel body retracted, the upper heel body may contact the ground when the shoe is worn. In a second configuration, with the lower heel body not retracted, the upper heel body may not contact the ground when the shoe is worn, being prevented from doing so by the lower heel body.

A footwear system includes an upper portion, a sole portion, and an adjustable heel. The adjustable heel includes a top section configured to the sole portion at a top surface of the top section. The top section defines a top section vertical cavity, a top section upper horizontal cavity, and a top section lower horizontal cavity. A movable top locking pin is positioned at least partially within the top section upper horizontal cavity. A bottom section is coupled to the top section and configured to extend beyond the bottom surface of the top section when extended and to be contained at least partially within the top section vertical cavity when retracted. A movable spring-loaded locking pin is positioned at least partially within a bottom section upper horizontal cavity. The spring-loaded locking pin is configured to hold the bottom section in an extended or retracted position.

A footwear system includes an upper portion, a sole portion, and an adjustable heel. The adjustable heel includes a top section configured to the sole portion at a top surface of the top section. The top section defines a top section vertical cavity, a top section upper horizontal cavity, and a top section lower horizontal cavity. A movable top locking pin is positioned at least partially within the top section upper horizontal cavity. A bottom section is coupled to the top section and configured to extend beyond the bottom surface of the top section when extended and to be contained at least partially within the top section vertical cavity when retracted. A movable spring-loaded locking pin is positioned at least partially within a bottom section upper horizontal cavity. The spring-loaded locking pin is configured to hold the bottom section in an extended or retracted position.