Strutting around in slingbacks, bouncing about in boots and going wild in wedges is every woman's dream. After all, shoes are the girl's ultimate best friend. "Shoes not only transform your look but also help you get a second look. So, it's very important to wear the right pair depending on your outfit and accessories," says model Aditi Gowitrikar. So, if you've been wearing the same old pair of shoes with the same clothes for ages, it's time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new:
Ballet
Ballet shoes are not just versatile but also very comfy and stylish. Aditi, who owns around 60 pairs of shoes, says, "For me comfort is very important. I keep that in mind while buying a pair." So, if comfort matters the most to you too, ballets are what you should own. They go well with almost any western outfit and are a huge hit with younger women.
Flaunt them with: Jeans, capris, skirts and leggings
Never wear them with: Salwar kameezes, saris
Ankle strap and stilettos
"Ankle straps look gorgeous on women with thin, long legs and are perfect for those after-work parties," says Deepika Mehra, owner, Vanilla Moon, a shoe brand. "Stilettos spell elegance and can add a touch of sensuality to an outfit," says Kapil Mahtani, MD, Tresmode India. If you like to look feminine and feel glamorous, stick to these heels.
Flaunt them with: Mid-length and short skirts and dresses
Never wear them with: Loose jeans, cargos, harem pants, parallel formal trousers
Mojris and Kolhapuri chappals
Ethnic mojris and Kolhapuris look fab on all women. If you're not one for heels, yet want something feminine, they're just ideal for you. Available in vibrant colours, you can pick pairs to match your outfits perfectly. And they aren't even all that expensive either. So, if you're looking to add a splash of colour to your ensemble, it is time to buy a pair of mojris or Kolhapuris
Flaunt them with: Churidars, ethnic kurtis and skirts,
Never wear them with: Jeans, dresses, capris
Wedges
Wedges are just perfect for outdoor events and are very comfy too. They not only add a few inches to your height, but also give a cosmopolitan look to your personality. They look sophisticated and make a fashionable statement.
Flaunt them with: Bohemian styles, flowing and pencil skirts, wrap dresses, flared or wide pants, jeans and capris
Never wear them with: Saris, kurta/kurtis
Flip-flops and sandals
Flip-flops have passed from their status of beach wear to the status of street wear today. If you like sporting them or sandals to work, consider buying the leather ones instead of rasta chaap ones, for a more put-together look.
Flaunt them with: Skinny jeans, casual skirts, dresses, kurtas
Never wear them with: Saris
Sneakers and slide-ons
They are comfy and just perfect for that cool look. Sneakers or slide-ons can really change your look, provided you wear them with casuals. But always make sure you wear your sneaks with socks or your shoe will stink and you'll look like a fashion disaster
Flaunt them with: Jeans and track pants
Never wear them with: Dresses, kurtas, skirts, saris
Gladiators
"As of now, the hottest trend in footwear is sporting gladiators. For an informal look one can choose flat gladiators and if you are looking to dress up then you could choose a pair with heels," says Kapil.
Flaunt them with: Jeans, capris, casual skirts, dresses, kurtas
Never wear them with: Saris, formal trousers
It's Shoe Time
Style statement: I wear whatever looks good on me and whatever I'm comfortable in. Though I like to stay up-to-date with fashion, I don't go around chasing the latest trends
Experimenting with shoes... is a great idea. For instance teaming a coloured pair of shoes with a black dress is a great idea, but you should know how to carry it off too
When it comes to shoes: I am branded but not brand conscious. I buy shoes from everywhere whatever catches my fancy
Shoes for all seasons: All women need to own a few classic pairs like black pointed closed shoes. You can never go wrong with them
Dos and Don'ts
* Work shoes should be stylish but not too outlandish
* Heels usually best complement a sharp business suit but your shoes must be comfortable to walk in
* "Flats or plain pumps are best for office wear in a corporate environment, but if your office atmosphere is casual and you like wearing heels for some oomph, consider wearing kitten heels," says Kapil.
* Please stay away from boots and stilettos. They are just not meant to be worn to work, ladies
* If you want to be different from the rest of the women in your office, sport shoes that match your outfits
