They say you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes he or she wears. One could say that this is also certainly the case when it comes India’s traditional footwear – you can tell a lot about the country by the style of footwear that’s been passed on from generation to generation. We’re talking about India’s well-known Jutti shoes, of course.
The Jutti shoes are one of, if not the most common shoe style in India. However, they are actually also popular way beyond Indian shores. While the traditional style has seen various contemporary interpretations throughout the centuries, many may not actually be familiar with its history and significance.
Jutti shoes are also known as Punjabi Jutti. They are particularly popular in North India, as well as in the Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan regions. Like many shoes, these are also traditionally made of leather. This type of footwear is characterized by its flat sole, a round or M-shaped vamp or upper region, and a high back portion that rises towards the Achilles tendon.
When wearing this shoe, the top portion of the foot is almost entirely visible and bare. While the designs of the shoe make it unique and attractive, one thing that’s particularly distinct about the construction of Jutti shoes is the fact that there’s no difference between the right and left foot.
The pair of shoes have the same shape and after some use, will eventually follow the shape of one’s feet. The Jutti’s slip-on design and moldable construction makes it not only easy and versatile, but also comfortable, and practical to wear.
A combination of both form and function, Jutti shoes are not only practical but are also very stylish and beautiful. The shoe’s leather can be dyed many different colors. Not only that, but the style is also especially popular and eye-catching because it is often heavily embroidered with threads of varying shades.
In addition to beautiful embroidery, Jutti shoes can also be printed or even embellished with many types of beads and stones. This means that you can wear different pairs of Juttis for various types of events and with different outfits. You could say that the intricate design and heavy adornment on the shoes reflect the vibrant and colorful Indian culture.
They’re almost like jewelry for the feet. In fact, over four hundred years ago, Indian royalty would wear Jutti shoes that were embroidered with genuine gold and silver thread. These ethnic shoes were popularly worn by Maharajas and Maharanis, and those from other wealthy classes. Over the centuries, they became more and more widely used by the general population.
Today, simple Juttis, which don’t feature any embellishment, are commonly used as everyday shoes all over India, especially in regions such as Punjab. However, the shoes are also still very much a part of Indian ceremonial attire, especially for weddings.
In fact, during some special festivals, it’s not uncommon to see even cows wearing specially made Juttis on their feet. Beyond India, the style of Jutti shoes have become popular in mainstream, contemporary fashion. Jutti shoes are clearly a type of footwear that has stood the test of time and surpasses any fleeting fashion trend. They are an intricate part of not only Indian fashion, but of Indian culture.
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