Step out right

RUMA SINGH / TNN / Jul 29, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Sandals come of age, as they are morph into stylish footwear for every occasion.

Forget formal footwear or even inclement weather today’s trendiest fashionistas have adopted the sandal — open-toed, light and comfy, as perfect footwear for every occasion. BT provides some tips on sandal-ic dos and don’ts.
Sandals, that basic simple footwear once worn by those who couldn’t afford any better, is basic and simple no more. According to the latest trend-spotters, they are the latest must-have on every fashion-conscious man or woman’s shopping list.
They can range from the classic, simple, two-strapped slip-ons, to the delicate and eye-catching which enhances your ensemble and adds a touch of class while keeping you comfortable.
After all, there’s nothing like shucking off your boring closed shoes, and still ending up looking classy.

But there are rules to follow if you want to look good in your sandals. For instance, simple rules of hygiene and grooming.
Ask those in the beauty biz, and they will tell you that the most important prerequisite to looking good in sandals is grooming your feet. “Men should always make sure they have well-manicured feet, says Jennifer Gosselin, an online shoe retailer, who is upbeat about the latest sandal trend. “The same rule that applies to women— having clean, buffed feet for sandals also applies to men.

Even if a pedicure is out of the question, at the very least men should pay attention to foot hygiene. Any sandal will look bad if they don’t!”
KEEP IT CLEAN
“Great feet are the most important part of grooming,” says beauty professional Manjul Gupta, “When you meet someone, the first thing they notice are your hands and feet.
And men find well-groomed feet on women, very sexy. Unfortunately, so many women invest a lot of money on clothes, jewellery and their face, but neglect their feet.”
How often you go for that all-important pedicure depends on your lifestyle.If it’s hectic, do a pedicure once a fortnight.” Dead cells, cracked heels and other such spoilers can be taken care of with special treatments using parafin and wax, milk and rose petals, she adds.
If men are to get out of their shoes into sandals, then a pedicure is a must as well.
Metal Madness
Style wise, there’s a lot happening in the sandal world.
From rubber sandals in vibrant colours to expensive leather and silk designer wear, options are many. Shoe stylist Edwin Pinto calls his creations more ‘artistic expressions’ than plain old footwear. “I don’t follow trends.”
From a previous collection which had ivy-style straps trailing up the calves to his current favourite — American Indian style moccasion sandals made of a single piece of leather in silk, jute and hemp, sandals can be worn with casual wear or for a more formal do. “Sandals can be styled in different ways, from flats to lace ups. Flats or heels, sandals lend themselves to everything, though Pinto admits that “heels add a touch of elegance.”
What’s hot right now: metallics — gold, bronze and copper. Also vibrant colours like blues, oranges and greens. The great thing about sandals? They can be worn with ethnic as well as western wear. “People are also wearing them with designer outfits,” says Pinto.

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