Sneakers have outgrown the typical youth street wear tag and emerged as a fashion accessory besides being a staple on runways, red carpets and in the workplace, writes KAVITA SHYAM.
They say give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world. Move over stilettos, pumps and ballerinas, pave way for sneakers to put your best fashion foot forward this season. Dig sneakers style? They are quite a rage this year. High-end shoe brands are stuffing their shelves with colourful, cool and chic sneakers. The once unwomanly sneaker or humble gym shoe has surely undergone a fashion baptism.
Sneakers have outgrown the typical youth street wear tag and emerged as a fashion accessory besides being a staple on runways, red carpets and in the workplace. Designers say the trend will rule the season as much for celebrities as for common fashion-conscious urban women. Sneakers or running shoes are a one stop for comfort and style, so mix it up and pair them up with maxi dresses, chic outfits, Indo-western fusion or even bohemian attires. Wearing flat footwear makes you look relaxed, comfortable, powerful and smart. Many shoe designers, big brands are emphasizing on sneakers and coming up with silver, copper, embellished sneakers to meet the demand of fashion conscious women.
Picture yourself in a pair of bright orange sneakers on a sunny afternoon? Well, you are sure to stand out in these! For a working woman teaming up sneakers with pant suits, pencil skirt,sheath dresses and pants can look very well put together. If you are going for brunch with your girl pals or a day out for shopping simply team up your jumpsuit, playsuit, tunics, cropped pants or middie skirts with a pair of fun sneakers would be killing it! And the red carpet divas are sporting sneakers in almost any and every outfit they can lay their hands on, literally! And don’t forget Sonam Kapoor sporting white sneakers with a blue lehenga in Dolly Ki Doli movie, well the trend is justifiably tremendous.
We get a few trend watchers to give us their inputs on sneakers, read on.
Talking about the sneaker trend, leading Indian Designer Nivedita Saboo says, “Comfort is of prime importance especially for women who are always on the go! An out-of-the-box choice of footwear for work, sneakers are right on trend whilst being easy on the feet making it a win-win situation for working women. Go sports luxe this season by pairing them with cropped pants or a pencil skirt combined with a blazer. The functionality aspect makes these re-vamped kicks all the more appealing for a day at the office whilst being more glamorous and aesthetically work appropriate!”
Preetpal Singh, Sales Head of popular young shoe brand- Spunk shoes says, “Sneakers nowadays can be more than just handy — they can make a fashion statement. There are a lot of efforts more and more footwear brands have put into making sneakers cool for women, and for any age. Sneakers are all it takes to completely change an outfit. Female sneaker heads have been ready, and now it’s a fun and challenging way for the fashionistas of the world to incorporate comfort with a new sense of character, charm, and class. These days you reach for your sneakers as often as you choose sandals, platform heels and statement stilettos. Walkability is the new trend and for that we are thankful to sneakers. Feminine frocks, sexy sheaths, and sporty skirts can all work when paired with just the right sneakers. And not only will you earn major style points for thinking outside the box, your feet will be blister free.”
Dr Gerd Mueller, Clinical Director Sports Medicine, AktivOrtho throws light on sneakers with its health benefit option, “Custom fitted shoes are not superior to standard running shoes for preventing running injuries. Soft, flexible-soled shoes or the straight last cushion running shoe appear to be the safest type of shoe for running and walking. Expensive shoes may not necessarily be the best shoe. However if there are any problems with arches of the foot like flat feet or a high arched foot or problems related to poor foot biomechanics contributing to foot injuries then a proper evaluation by a doctor followed by customised insoles designed by an orthodontist along with a good flexibility and strengthening program by a physiotherapist would help alleviate symptoms. Also the best part of the day to pick a shoe is towards the later part of the day preferably the evening as the foot size increases by a few millimeters , it is also advisable to carry your pair of socks while trying the shoe. In a nutshell the shoe should provide stability based on the shape of the shoe in the front of the shoe, heel counter to hold the heel , the groove in the back of the shoe to be soft enough not to irritate the achilles tendon , well cushioned sole and overall have a snug fit.”
Sporty-luxe is sure having its moment, so go grab a few of these babies and place them in your shoe rack.
BOX 1
Have the right attitude to wear sport-casual sneakers.
Add the fun element by pairing sneakers with shorts, maxi style dresses, kitschy jumper, culottes, romper, tank dresses, seperates, pant suits, overalls, distressed denims, skater dresses, flared skirts or bohemian attires.
Silver, white, black, metallic, red, cream, gold sneakers are huge, they also come in pops of blue, orange, grey hues.
Embrace calfskin sneakers and just like that you can be the talk of the town, if you can afford it! Needless to say they add modern-rustic charm to your look.
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Get creative! DIY sneakers are trending, so add embellishments or spikes to your sneakers for a natural and casual style.
You can also add sparkles to your sneakers, because sparkly sneakers are trending bigtime and give out an instant sporty vibe!
Slip-on sneakers are also huge so go get them.
Floral sneakers have made their way in the international fashion circuit.
Scout out brands like River Island, Adidas, Zara, Jeremy Scott wedge-sneakers, H&M, Isabel Marant, Comme des Garçons, Obataimu, Ash Bowie Wedged Sneakers,Vans, for spunky sneakers. Buy them online, or at the stores!
