JOIN USWinter, apart from the delicious chill in the air, gives a lift to our wardrobes as well. With a little bit of imagination and some trendy accessories, a drab closet can ooze style. Apart from the smart jackets, coats, colourful mufflers and silk scarves, there are interesting options in footwear too, like sneakers and shoes. But the ones which give an all new ‘oomph’ to your image are boots.
Boots have in the recent past become a must-have, thanks to the variety in the market. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Some of them even have heels. Modern boots are made from a variety of materials. Boots are worn both for their functionality – protecting the foot and leg from water, snow, mud or hazards or providing additional ankle support for strenuous activities – and for reasons of style and fashion as well.
Swati Modo, a shoe designer, says, “Leather is always a hot favourite when it comes to boots. It rules the market. Adjustable boots are popular nowadays. One can slouch them down and fold them as per their wish. Booties are also in trend, which fall between a boot and a shoe. Flat boots are also a major thing in neutral and nude colours. Boots also look really nice with long skirts and kurta and gives you that boho look. But boots with pencil heels are a no-no because boots are a utility product, and pencil heels are not comfortable while walking.”
Suhasini Kapoor, product head for Clarks India, says, “We have boots under two themes – desert riders and polar folks. Under the former theme we have boots which have a grunge look – cowboy boots, riding boots and urban rugged boots, which are full of attitude. They are modern classics. Under polar folk theme, we have boots which have a lot colours and use of fur both inside and outside.” According to Kapoor, black, tan, brown and burgundy are the popular colours in boots.
According to Ishaan Sachdeva, director, Alberto Torresi, “aggressive biker boots are really in these days. Initially, boots were worn for a purpose but now they have really caught the attention of the fashionistas.”
“Although the market for boots is not yet that mature, but still people are buying more than one pair to match their different clothes and make a statement. Boots have become multi-purpose now,” he added.