Sneakers are the new Stilettos

Yes, you can wear sneakers to your wedding party! The sneaker trend was already there. However, the real turning point for most Indian fashionistas was when Deepika took off her heels for the dance floor and got comfy in a pair of sneakers!

Often trends trickle down from fashion weeks and runways, but there are times when one odd trend stems up from the streets. One such evolution is of the sneakers. It all started with a few good women using them for transit and changed them into ‘respectable’ footwear once they reached the destination. Now, we see instagrammers across the globe putting their best ‘sneaker’ foot forward by teaming them with glitzy sequin dresses and fitted bodycons!

There are, however, certain rules one must keep in mind. For one, a clean pair of kicks is an absolute must. You just cannot wear a sheath dress with a pair of dirty running shoes. With winter months on our head, one may be very tempted to layer on multiple pieces or wear looser clothing, but it is best to avoid this when it comes to sneakers as you might end up looking old.

Any outfit can work when paired with the right sneakers. If you are a ‘slip-ons’ kind of person, play with those with different colours and patterns. Choose dresses in neutral or primary colours till you are comfortable with mixing the prints and patterns.

Running shoes look classy when teamed up with a shift dress while sporty sneakers can be paired with leather skirt or a denim mini skirt to give a chic look. Feminine dresses look best with casual or minimalist sneakers and are also practical. The minimalist sneaker in white can be used to tone down a bold or statement dress. However, longer hemlines call for play on proportions, so try out an ankle or mid-ankle pair with midi dresses, a pair of converse works perfectly with maxi length and vans if the dress is on the busier side.

For a formal look like a pencil skirt or a formal shift dress, monochrome is the way to go. Dressier outfits can be worn with tennis shoes. If you like to go all out, try loud, colourful ones with an equally bold dress. This can be super trendy for girls’ night-outs.

Get ready to kick those heels away this party season, so you’ll have no trouble dancing the night away!
(The writer is Chief Stylist, voonik.com.)