Rest assured, sneakers are never going out of fashion
quirky butterfly motifs can be a great companion for your outings when paired with a rugged jacket and denim pants that give you a right blend of oomph and comfort. One can even pair sneakers in vibrant tones like red, yellow or mint green with crisp white shirts and trousers/ chinos to get the dapper look at night parties or casual meetings.”
But what of women who prefer heels for every occasion to glam up these days? “Of late, there has been a sense of acceptance among women for a comfortable pair of shoes. While heels can still be a part of their wardrobes, women are experimenting with their sneakers, pairing them with Indian attires as well. The stylists and social media influencers, particularly, are making it a trend by showing chic yet stylish ways. Today’s look- book is just incomplete without printed/ colourful canvas shoes. They not only complement the look, but also provide a level of comfort, which heels after a point of time don’t,” says Saket Aggarwal, founder, Lazy Jojo, a startup which makes personalised shoes. Women can try out many different options when i t comes to sneakers. “You can easi l y style sneakers with skirts, or shift dresses, a nice breezy jumpsuit or even with a quirky pant suit. Choose to go for bold sneakers that make a statement in themselves and add a touch of glamour with their embellishments t o y o u r look,” says Shreyasi Pathak, designer at Vajor, an online shopping portal for women wear. Talking about some more styling tips for women, Harkirat Singh, managing director, Woodland, says, “A solid colour sneaker can up your look simply by teaming it up with denims, be it a denim shirt or a pair of denim jeans. Studded or chunky sneakers can be teamed up with all black outfits and you will look chic and elegant.”
A must-have pair of sneakers, as Matteo Lambert, chief collection manager, Bata India, says, are the classic whites, for both men and women. He adds, “Floral print, colour-blocking, quirky patches and graphic prints are trending. The colour palette ranges from both pastel colours, pale lilac, blush pink, peach, to pop colours like red and navy. Classic white sneakers are a must for both men and women.”
The most exciting kicks are those that push boundaries and stand out in a crowd. And that’s why personalised sneaker have moved up the demand ladder. “Sneaker customisation is a growing trend, one that appeals both to casual users and the collector-minded shoe fanatics. I think it’s a fun, cool and a real experience for shoppers who love their sneakers. While customisation is not new by any means, the idea of a consumer playing creator is a new riff on customisation. It’s not much common in India but it has gained a lot of popularity abroad,” says Prem Dewan, retail head, OSL Luxury Collections-Corneliani, an Italian menswear brand.
3D- printed shoes might also become a commercial reality soon. “3D- printed sneakers could be the next big thing in the footwear market. Getting 3D graphics printed on the sneakers can make them cooler than they are currently,” says Tabby Bhatia, director, Voganow. com, a leather goods shopping portal.
He adds, “Sneakers are considered to be one of the footwear styles that has popped up in the past decade. The versatility and timeless appeal of sneakers make them an evergreen part of the fashion world. They have been trending for ages and are expected to be here for a long time indeed.”