Fashion Accessories> Footwear: Get it right!

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Most of the time, shoe styles go unnoticed. Usually, we tend to overlook the importance of wearing the correct type of footwear; we don't realise this can make or break an outfit.
Keeping this in mind, we list footwear etiquette that protect you from common fashion bloopers.

Slippers
"The primary reason for wearing slippers is to escape the heat," says Pooja Munshi, a New York-based fashion designer. "Also, they lend a casual air."

To carry off the casual look without looking frumpy try out the following tips:

~ Slippers with a slight platform heels work well for short women.

~ Open-toe and strappy slippers are in while bulky looking slippers, with broad or block soles are out.

~ Havaianas or Hawai as they are popularly known (a Brazilian brand available in funky designs and colours) slippers from Bata are a current trend for men.

~ Comfy surf slippers made of corduroy or cloth that covers your feet and heels, protecting them from the sun, dirt and dust.

Keeping it casual

Follow these tips to carry off casual footwear with elan:

~ Make sure your toes are well manicured before wearing open toe shoes.

~ Casual sneakers look great with denims.

~ Boots are very trendy right now and can often hide unshapely legs.

~ Men can choose for leather slip-ons, mojris, sneakers and moccasins.

Work it right

Clothes are not the only things that reflect your personality. Shoes do too; a scruffy pair will mark you as a sloppy dresser.

Follow these tips when choosing the right footwear for work:

~ Women, pick strappy sandals with kitten heels (one inch, slightly thick heels) for a comfortable yet classic look.

~ Men should team up their suits with a pair of sleek black and brown pair of shoes.

~ The current trend in men's footwear is gently square-toed shoes with thick sole.

~ While black and brown or tan are the main colours for men, pick shoes with a smooth leather or suede finish.

~ Nubuck leather (soft and high quality leather) and suede shoes make a lavish style statement.

Go formal

~ Heels make a woman look elegant and taller.

~ One rule of thumb: In cold weather wear closed shoes or boots with heels.

~ Men can stick to square tip shoes -- either in leather or suede. Browns, tans and black are great colours and look great with almost any outfit.

Published in Rediff.com, on May 29, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/may/29slide1.htm

Accessories> Shoe Dressing

Text by: Tanya Munshi

~ Choosing a pair of shoes
Choosing the right pair of shoes is as important as wearing the correct combination of clothes. Imagine yourself in swanky clothes, while your mismatched or dirty shoes spoil the show.
Shoes should be such that not only add that final touch to your clothes, but are also comfortable for your feet. Remember your feet are the ones that carry your weight at all times, so be kind to them and take care to choose the correct type of shoes. While the price is definitely a factor in buying a pair of shoes, your feet’s health and care should never be compromised upon.

~ Traditional wear
Women
While wearing a kurti and jeans combination, ladies can try out mojris or flat/ block heels strappy sandals. While wearing a t-shirt and jeans combination, closed shoes or medium height platform sandals look good on women. While for salwar khameez strappy sandals look good, for saris, flats are advisable.
1
Men
As for the men, while wearing kurtas and jeans, leather sandals or Swede slip-ons look best, while for jeans and t-shirt combination, sneakers or closed casual shoes go well. Keep floaters aside for complete leisure time, as in with shorts and a t-shirt. Avoid ruining your entire appearance by wearing floaters along with a t-shirt and jeans combination, even if it is for casual wear.
2
~ To work
Women
To work, women can wear brown sandals, whether they are chappals, sandals or slip-ons. Browns are more neutral than black and tend to blend well with almost all clothing colour. Choosing black sandals is one of the most basic fashion crimes one can commit. At times, black tends to stand out more if you wear light colour clothes. Hence on the safer side, browns do justice at all times. For business suits of shirts and trousers, women can wear black closed shoes or light weight boots.
2
Men
In formal wear for men, black or dark tan leather shoes to work are best, as far as possible avoid light or pale brown shoes, as such colours tend to hit the eye.