With people continuing to stay indoors most of the times, the preference for comfortable footwear is at an all-time high, says Khushbu Kirti

While Indian footwear has seen tremendous changes in the past few years, nothing has marked the trends in the industry like pandemic has, in the recent times. With people continuing to stay indoors most of the times, the preference for comfortable footwear is at an all-time high. Slippers and sandals are the top search on online websites for shopping in this post-covid era. It is now difficult to return to shoes and boots and heels, now that we have tasted the magical moment of slipping our feet into a flat sandal, and that’s it, you’re good to go. We’ve lived like this for two years and as I saw the trend of wearing socks with sandals on Vogue, I knew this is going to stay even during winters.

While ballerinas, kitten heels, block heels or wedges, greek sandals, and loafers have also been Indianised, some footwear remain as Indian as ever, pertaining to its huge and diverse cultures and traditions. Keeping in mind the factors of comfort over style, but that, of course, does not mean we have to put on something dull, and be at utmost comfort. It could be chic and comfortable at the same time. Here are four trends in Indian footwear that are being most adopted by our generations:

Paduka/Khadao

From the times of our ancestors, there is one form of footwear we know was the norm of the times — the padukas. We know of this because there was a time when Ramayana taught us how Lord Rama refused to dishonour his father's word and his brother, Bharata, who loved and respected Rama more than his own life, asked for Rama’s sandals. It is known that Bharata embellished the throne of Ayodhya with these padukas, thus, making it known and evident to the world that Rama was the actual ruler of the kingdom while he was only take care of the governance and pressing issues in his stead. Here were sandals that actually ruled as a king!

Khadao is a form of footwear that has been remodelled and suited to modern times, with the basics being the same. Instead of wood, leather is used in most cases.

These khadaos by Akreti Creations engulf a seude leather base and leather straps. The leather is pure and here’s something comfortable enough to wear at home, while stylish enough to flaunt outside. It has been handcrafted by local artisans. By supporting the small businesses, we make a market for local businesses and actually promote PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for local’. Not only does this benefit the environment, for this, too, lies under sustainable fashion, but also help solve the conundrum of unemployment in the country.

Jutti

And how can I go on talking about Indian footwear, but forget the most beloved of all — juttiyan. They’re something that somehow never go out of style and now that we are going vocal for local, in an attempt to form a support system for local businesses, the juttiyan have been innovated and styled in unique ways and suited to the current times.

Adorning the festive season with their beauty, these royal blue khussas by Lore, bejeweled my ink blue kaftaan and white pants on Diwali. The intricate work in white sequences only add to its aesthetics.

Kolhapuri

The history of kolhapuri chappals, too, go back to the old times, somewhere around the 12th century when King Bijjala from the Western Chalyuka empire and his minister, Basavanna, encouraged the local production of kolhapuri chappals in order to uplift the cobbler community.

Even though, historically, these were made of leather, and we can divide the footwear into non-leather and leather categories, another popular trend is using vegan footwear and shunning animal based products now. While, of course, sticking with the handmade ones.

Velvet footwear finds pride in being #crueltyfree. These blue kolhapuri styled wrinkled strap flats have an extremely well cushioned and flexible sole, with anti-slid grains and a scrunchie-like warm and comfortable strap.

Strapped flat sandals

The trendiest and round-the-clock footwear would be monochrome flat sandals, with modishly rounding up straps and chunky and vivacious colours. From natural hues, fascinating pastels to bold colours, pantone strapped flat sandals have always been around.

These pastel sandals by Fi Tribe, a homegrown brand, are as elegant as it gets. They suit every occasion, round the year, whether it is ethnic wear or denims or flowery frocks, or spring skirts, these indefectible footwear go with just everything — a classic display of comfort meeting style.