Footwear tends to be the last piece of putting together a festive look. The sari has been steamed, the lehenga blouse finally fits and the jewellery has been negotiated down to an acceptable number—only for the shoes to become an afterthought. But with a calendar that can stretch from an intimate puja in the morning to cocktails well past midnight, one pair was never going to do all the work.
This season’s festive footwear offers considerably more range than the obligatory gold heel. There are juttis that can survive a night of stomping and barely-there sandals for clothes that already have plenty to express. Then there are the shoes that refuse practicality altogether: platforms to elongate the silhouette, or even candy-coloured pairs of kolhapuris designed to be noticed beneath a moving hem.
1. The embroidered jutti
There is a reason that juttis can survive every the festive season overhaul. Look beyond the heavily embellished versions, towards finer embroidery or unusual textiles. Wear yours with a lehenga, but consider it equally useful with a silk kurta and trousers once the festivities are over.
Pollen in Love Juttis, Fizzy Goblet, ₹ 3,490
2. The barely-there sandal
When the clothes are doing the talking, the shoe can afford to be invisible. A thin-strapped or thong sandal in neutral finish disappears beneath saris and floor-length dresses. Consider this the palate cleanser of your festive wardrobe.
Beige Thong-Strap Jelly Sandals, Luna Blu, ₹ 1,299
Memory Foam Mouni Off White Flat Sandals, Irussh, ₹ 3,552
