Traditional juttis are back on the fashion scene in a jazzed up new avatar

The world of fashion is cyclical and now it is the turn of the traditional Punjabi jutti to be reinvented. Worn forever by the royalty in India and Pakistan, these juttis also known as khussas/mojris are notoriously known for shoe bites.

Today, the jutti has metamorphosed into bespoke footwear. Designer jutti labels have come into being and some boast celebrity clientele and most offer worldwide shipping, making these a must-have accessory, irrespective of what season. Akanksha Chhabra, co-proprietor of Bengaluru-based label, Pastels and Pop, says, “The modern jutti is an expression of Indian heritage and ethnic design. A balanced mix of tradition and modernity goes into designing these beautiful shoes. They are meant to stand out in any crowd on any occasion. Handcrafted locally, the jutti encourages our local artisans to leverage their craftsmanship, while keeping our heritage alive.”

Shirin Mann Sangha, the brain behind Needledust, a Delhi-based designer jutti label, says: “When we launched, there was no other label/company/brand that was doing juttis in a modern way. The ones you could find off the streets did not match the fashion sensibilities of today’s consumer. That is what made me launch my brand. I wanted to launch the handicraft of juttis in a new way, with good quality leather, cushion for comfort, and modern designs with pop colours.

These ethnic beauties can be paired not only with Indian outfits, but also for a crazy night at a cocktail party/sangeet, or a girls’ night out at a dance club.

The modern-day jutti combines comfort and panache and can be worn with anything from skirts, shorts and jeans to dhoti pants, palazzos, lehengas, churidars, shararas and even saris,” Akanksha points out.

She adds: “Wedding and festive juttis have zardosi work, katdana, sequins, mirrors and ghungroos. Heavier work on juttis are usually associated with special occasions. Printed juttis with embellishments like pom-poms and coins are perfect for a day out or shopping with friends.”

Labels like Fizzy Goblet offer unique brogue juttis and also ones that come in ikat patterns. Vian Label and JuttiChoo are known for their abstract designs. Adah by Reena is another brand that has caught the fancy of jutti lovers across the country.

Shirin explains: “For that ultra-feminine look, pastel floral juttis are perfect. They look great with maxis and skater dresses. For the edgy look, one could pair them up with high waist shorts or jumpsuits. Geometric designs can be reserved for work wear and would look great when teamed with a crisp white shirt and chinos.”

Knowing what is hot and trending is one thing, styling it perfectly is another, but then as with every trend, there are some dos and don’ts to bear in mind. “Store your juttis in a muslin bag. It helps keep them dust free and they retain their shine for a long time. Keep your juttis away from moisture. If exposed to moisture, dry them in the sun for two to three hours before putting them back in your closet or bag. If your jutti gets dirty, besides cleaning them with a towel cloth or brush dipped in washing soap, you could also dry-clean them,” Akanksha advises.

She also warns against throwing one’s juttis around. “The embellishments might come off. Don’t rub the juttis against each other or another surface as this can damage the embellishments and embroideries and never wash your embroidered juttis. They must be dry-cleaned only.”