Footwear is becoming the cynosure of all eyes. Shoe fetish or not, it’s nice to avoid footwear faux pas
THAT’S THE verdict: Flats are the new footwear imperative. They’ve been around for a while – the ballerinas, the gladiators and wafer-thin thongs. But this is when the craze for flats reaches grandiose proportions. It’s time to sit up and take stock of your shoe closet.
Sure, on the ramp, designer ensembles look uber glamourous when waif-like models are propped up on four-inch stilletoes or hefty-sole platforms. But as you saunter through the mall on a Saturday afternoon or even as you sip coffee, sitting crosslegged in front of your date— flats lend a free-spirited, vivacious vibe to your persona. Besides, anyone who plans to wear this season’s thigh-skimming baby doll dresses, micro minis, tents and leggings, should take the lead.
The new silhouette is youthful and flirty. And flats, with their effortlessly earthy look, can do
wonders for it.
Many of you might have gone “Pas moi!” seeing a pair of flats. Like the perpetually high-heeled goddess, Malaika Arora-Khan admits, “I have to be really unwell to wear flats. I love my heels. So for me, they’re never out.” But fashion pundits recommend the low road every once in a while. Think of Twiggy who looked fresh and gamine in her minis and flats way back in the 1960s.
PROP ME UP:
It starts with basic physiology. Shoes really determine the way we walk and carry ourselves. Any woman would agree that her shoes dictate her comfort level at any given time of the day. “Those accustomed to heels are used to arching their lower back out and being pitched forward. This instantly sexualises a woman’s silhouette and hence her mindset,” says stylist, Pria Agni. Agreed, the hopelessly heel-addicted might feel rather inelegant without that extra prop. Supermodel Jesse Randhawa points out that while she does walk the ramp in some dangerously high heels, she personally likes flat footwear, “I prefer staying closer to the ground and kick some ass when the need be,” she adds cheekily.
HOW TO WEAR FLATS:
Flats needn’t spell out virginal princess all the time. “A jewelled flat with a revealing cut can be fabulously sexy,” says model and actress Munmun Datta. Embellished flats seem to be the way to go. Pria recommends tie-ups or flats in candy colours and innovative materials like chiffon and straw to add the required style quotient. “Mary Janes, a retro style in an open toed option is very hip too,” she adds.
Sure, on the ramp, designer ensembles look uber glamourous when waif-like models are propped up on four-inch stilletoes or hefty-sole platforms. But as you saunter through the mall on a Saturday afternoon or even as you sip coffee, sitting crosslegged in front of your date— flats lend a free-spirited, vivacious vibe to your persona. Besides, anyone who plans to wear this season’s thigh-skimming baby doll dresses, micro minis, tents and leggings, should take the lead.
The new silhouette is youthful and flirty. And flats, with their effortlessly earthy look, can do
wonders for it.
Many of you might have gone “Pas moi!” seeing a pair of flats. Like the perpetually high-heeled goddess, Malaika Arora-Khan admits, “I have to be really unwell to wear flats. I love my heels. So for me, they’re never out.” But fashion pundits recommend the low road every once in a while. Think of Twiggy who looked fresh and gamine in her minis and flats way back in the 1960s.
PROP ME UP:
It starts with basic physiology. Shoes really determine the way we walk and carry ourselves. Any woman would agree that her shoes dictate her comfort level at any given time of the day. “Those accustomed to heels are used to arching their lower back out and being pitched forward. This instantly sexualises a woman’s silhouette and hence her mindset,” says stylist, Pria Agni. Agreed, the hopelessly heel-addicted might feel rather inelegant without that extra prop. Supermodel Jesse Randhawa points out that while she does walk the ramp in some dangerously high heels, she personally likes flat footwear, “I prefer staying closer to the ground and kick some ass when the need be,” she adds cheekily.
HOW TO WEAR FLATS:
Flats needn’t spell out virginal princess all the time. “A jewelled flat with a revealing cut can be fabulously sexy,” says model and actress Munmun Datta. Embellished flats seem to be the way to go. Pria recommends tie-ups or flats in candy colours and innovative materials like chiffon and straw to add the required style quotient. “Mary Janes, a retro style in an open toed option is very hip too,” she adds.
Sujata Assomull, Director Communications, Murjani Group who is bringing the very swank Jimmy Choo to the country, says, “We’re going towards the shift dresses of the 60s and flats look great with skinny jeans as well. They’ve transcended their role from practical musthaves to ultimate fashion accessories.” Touché to that. If Jimmy Choo says so, who’re we to disagree? Also featured in their upcoming Fall-Winter collection are gold and anthracite strappy nappa sandals with long ties that wind around the ankle.
PAIN AND GAIN:
While stilettos have acquired a bad name for the evil things they do to our feet and backs, Dr. Gaurang Desai explains that wearing wafer-thin flats for long periods can be equally harmful. “They have zero shock absorption and no arch support. Heels aren’t the greatest but flats are no better. Ensure that your soles have some sort of padding if you’re going to be wearing them for long hours,” he says. The perpetually high-heeled end up getting their Achilles tendon permanently shortened and calf muscles tightened. Desai mentions a painful condition called ‘Plantar Fasciitis’ which results from an inflamed fascia— the fibrous band of tissue connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.
To counter other such unmentionables, shoe divas recommend alternating between flats and heels. It appears that there is no ideal heel height. Flats are ultra hip but we need some heeled comfort once in a while. Get swinging! Alternation is the way to go.
BEST FOOT FORWARD:
PAIN AND GAIN:
While stilettos have acquired a bad name for the evil things they do to our feet and backs, Dr. Gaurang Desai explains that wearing wafer-thin flats for long periods can be equally harmful. “They have zero shock absorption and no arch support. Heels aren’t the greatest but flats are no better. Ensure that your soles have some sort of padding if you’re going to be wearing them for long hours,” he says. The perpetually high-heeled end up getting their Achilles tendon permanently shortened and calf muscles tightened. Desai mentions a painful condition called ‘Plantar Fasciitis’ which results from an inflamed fascia— the fibrous band of tissue connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.
To counter other such unmentionables, shoe divas recommend alternating between flats and heels. It appears that there is no ideal heel height. Flats are ultra hip but we need some heeled comfort once in a while. Get swinging! Alternation is the way to go.
BEST FOOT FORWARD:
* Slip-ons or thongs in leather or jute: for a casual afternoon in lounge pants or even teamed with a summer dress.
* Roman sandals in basic leather: you could tie these up to your ankles or mid-calf to go with that shift dress.
* Flat pumps or ones with slight heels: the all purpose shoe.
* Close-toed basic heels in black: for the quintessential formal look.
* Flat boots or flat slouch boots in suede: for when the fashionista strikes.
* Embroidered jootis: to lend an ethnic aura to your Indian wear of fusion ensembles.
* Roman sandals in basic leather: you could tie these up to your ankles or mid-calf to go with that shift dress.
* Flat pumps or ones with slight heels: the all purpose shoe.
* Close-toed basic heels in black: for the quintessential formal look.
* Flat boots or flat slouch boots in suede: for when the fashionista strikes.
* Embroidered jootis: to lend an ethnic aura to your Indian wear of fusion ensembles.
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