Walk the heritage talk
Ethnic footwear has jumped from wedding-only status to everyday fashion rotation. These handmade shoes pack a serious style punch while connecting wearers to rich cultural traditions. Ready to upgrade your shoe game beyond the usual suspects? Let’s explore options that bring something fresh to your wardrobe.
Juttis: The Royal Treatment
Juttis, with their flat soles and slightly pointed design, date back to the Mughal courts. What makes them special is that the leather actually moulds to your feet over time—think custom shoes without the custom price tag.
Today’s Juttis come in bold colours like deep green and navy that work perfectly with kurtas and even casual jeans. For wedding events, look for designs featuring metallic thread work. These will look great in photos and keep you dancing comfortably all night. For a subtle style, plain tan or black Juttis in quality leather add a touch of heritage to western clothes.
Mojaris: The Conversation Starters
Mojaris stand out with their distinctively curved, upturned toes, a practical design from the 16th century that kept desert sand from filling shoes. Modern mojaris maintain this elegant curled tip while incorporating rich colours and detailed needlework.
For festivals and celebrations, pick Mojaris with zardozi work (metal-thread embroidery) that matches elements in your sherwani or kurta. The raised toe creates a bold profile against fitted pants, making them perfect focal points for simpler outfits. Multi-coloured thread designs, like those in blue and yellow, bring that cool, vibrant energy to neutral ethnic clothes.
Kolhapuris: Summer’s Best Friend
Kolhapuri chappals from Maharashtra feature that distinctive T-strap and toe loop you can spot from across the room. Their open design makes them perfect for hot weather, keeping feet cool while looking sharp.
Classic Kolhapuris in natural tan develop a beautiful, weathered look over time, growing more distinguished with wear. The hand-punched patterns in genuine Kolhapuris allow air to circulate, keeping feet cool during outdoor summer gatherings. Match darker brown Kolhapuris with linen trousers and a white shirt for an easy, sophisticated look that works from daytime to evening events.
Nagras: Comfort Meets Class
Nagras keep it simple with flat soles and rounded toes—a welcome break from pointy styles. Originally worn as indoor royal court shoes, they’ve become versatile options for many occasions.
Dark velvet Nagras with subtle gold details work perfectly with formal ethnic wear without stealing attention from your outfit. The rounded toe gives your feet more room, a blessing during long wedding events. Their flat design makes them especially good for traditional dancing, where you need solid contact with the ground.
Khussas: Where Colour Lives
Khussas are all about that eye-catching embroidery covering most of the shoe. With Pakistani roots, these shoes show off colourful needlework that can match any part of your outfit.
For engagement parties, go for Khussas with beads that match accent colours in your clothes. They’re sturdy enough for outdoor venues while keeping things stylish. The slightly pointed toe creates a lengthening effect when worn with straight-cut pants or traditional dhotis.
