India is a land of rich cultural diversity, and its festivals and celebrations reflect this vivid tapestry of traditions. A crucial part of our festivities is dressing up in vibrant, traditional attire. However, an often-overlooked aspect of the ensemble is selecting the right footwear for different occasions, such as weddings and festivals. Footwear choice can significantly impact both comfort and style, making it essential to strike the right balance.
1. Festivals: Indian festivals are joyous occasions marked by colorful clothing, music, dancing, and rituals. When choosing footwear for festivals like Diwali or Holi, comfort should be a top priority, given the hours of standing, walking, and participating in various activities. Women often opt for embellished juttis or mojaris, traditional embroidered flats that pair beautifully with sarees or lehengas.
2. Weddings: Indian weddings are grand affairs, characterised by elaborate ceremonies, opulent outfits, and intricate jewellery. Choosing the right shoes for weddings is crucial because they need to complement the grandeur of the occasion while ensuring you can dance and enjoy the festivities. Women often opt for high-heeled sandals or wedges to add height and elegance to their sarees or lehengas.
3. Religious Occasions: A multitude of occasions and rituals requires specific attire. Footwear for religious ceremonies should be respectful and comfortable. Many people opt for simple, closed-toe shoes or sandals that are easy to remove when entering a temple or holy place. The emphasis here is on modesty and practicality.
4. Casual Gatherings: Our culture encourages casual get-togethers with family and friends. For these occasions, comfort often takes precedence. We may choose everyday shoes like flip-flops, sneakers, or slip-on sandals, depending on the setting and the level of formality.
5. Regional Variations: India’s vastness and regional diversity mean that footwear choices can vary greatly. In North India, for instance, you might find women wearing elegant Punjabi juttis, while in South India, traditional silk sarees are often paired with comfortable yet stylish sandals. Regional variations in dressing also extend to footwear.
Now since we have discussed the various ocassions lets decode some styles that is trending currently in the world of fashionably perfect weddings.
The embroidered heels- Embroidered heels are a captivating fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern fashion. These exquisite shoes beautifully encapsulate the rich and vibrant heritage of Indian embroidery techniques, like zardosi , aari , dabka etc. resulting in footwear that is both stylish and culturally significant. Choosing the right kind of shoes can be a challenging task but with a few tips in mind you can find a pair that looks great and feels comfortable.
- Select a material that matches the occasion and offers an appropriate balance of durability and breathability.
- Occasion: Think about the occasion and outfit you’ll be wearing the shoes with. This will help you narrow down your options to a style and color that compliments your look. Think of the time and duration you will be wearing the shoes for.
- Fit: Make sure the shoes fit your feet properly and provide adequate support. Avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose, as they can cause discomfort or even injury. There are heel pads that can be attached to add that extra cushion for your heels to take the stress of long time wear.
Ethnic Sneakers– While elegant heels and traditional flats have long been the go-to choices for bridal footwear, an emerging trend is changing the game: wedding sneakers for women. These fashionable sneakers offer a delightful blend of comfort and style, making them an excellent choice for brides who want to dance the night away without compromising on their fashion-forward look. Why only the brides if you are a barati you too can wear these with your gorgeous lehenga or sharara and dance for hours. These sneakers are designed to be both cozy and trendy, providing the best of both worlds.
From classic white sneakers adorned with delicate lace and pearl embellishments to more whimsical designs featuring floral patterns and glittery accents, there’s a wedding sneaker to suit every bride’s taste. You can choose from low-tops, high-tops, slip-ons, or lace-up styles gold , silver rose gold or shades of metallic to match your wedding dress and personal style.
Juttis- For those who have height in their side or like to consider flats for occasions (haldi, engagement, pooja gathering or even marriage) they can consider the punjab favourite jutti style. For outdoor or destination weddings, juttis provide the delicate yet fancy alternative of heels ensuring you glide gracefully down the aisle. Not only marriage, for navaratri , festival of garba or a durga puja these juttis are versatile to go with any attire .
Sandals-Sandals are a popular type of open-toed footwear that come in various styles and are designed for warm weather and casual occasions.Sandals are characterized by their open design, which allows the feet to breathe. They typically consist of a sole attached to the foot with straps, thongs, or other fastening methods. Though thongs are less popular these days. While sandals are often associated with casual wear, there are dressier versions suitable for semi-formal and even formal occasions. Some sandals feature embellishments, like rhinestones or metallic finishes, for added elegance.Sandals can have various heel heights, from completely flat to high wedge heels. The choice of heel height can significantly impact the shoe’s style and comfort.
Indian Brands:
Some of the Indian brands from where you can buy such embroidered wonders are as follows:
- Around.always : https://www.aroundalways.com/
- Talking toe : https://www.instagram.com/talking_toe/
- Aza fashions: https://www.azafashions.com/
- Anaar: https://shopanaar.com/
- The tassle life: https://thetasslelife.com/
- Fizzy goblet: https://www.fizzygoblet.com/
- Paripari : https://pariparilife.com/
- Coral Haze: https://coralhaze.com/
The above brands have mojris to espadrilles to sneakers …anything that suits your taste.
In conclusion, selecting the right footwear for Indian festivals and occasions involves a delicate balance between style, comfort, and cultural appropriateness. Whether you’re attending a vibrant festival or a solemn religious ceremony, the right choice of shoes can enhance your overall look and ensure you’re prepared to fully enjoy the festivities. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the specific occasion, your outfit, and your comfort when making your footwear selection, as it plays a significant role in the overall experience of these cultural celebrations.
