I have a confession: I am very easily distracted by pretty footwear.
Give me an embellished pair, an interesting colour or a shoe that looks like it could instantly make an outfit more fun, and I will notice it before I notice anything else. But after reviewing different kinds of footwear, I have slowly realised that the pairs I actually remember are not always the prettiest ones.
They are the ones that answer a very specific question for me.
Can I wear this for hours without thinking about my feet? Does it work beyond one occasion? Is there something about it that makes me genuinely want to put it on again?
That has changed how I look at footwear.
A pair can be beautiful and still be slightly impractical. Another can be incredibly comfortable but not particularly exciting. And then there are those rare pairs that make you realise you do not necessarily have to choose between the two.
These are three of my favourite footwear styles I have reviewed so far, and each one taught me something different about what I actually want from a pair of shoes.
I have personally worn and reviewed all three pairs featured here, so this is based on my experience using them rather than simply comparing product listings. They also represent three very different things I look for in footwear: statement-making design, all-day comfort and the balance between style and practicality.
Anaar taught me that pretty footwear has its limits
Anaar immediately caught my attention for the obvious reason: it is fancy.
The embellishment gives it a dressed-up quality that makes it feel more like part of the outfit than something you simply put on before leaving the house. If I am dressing for an occasion and want my footwear to contribute to the look, this is the kind of pair I naturally notice.
But wearing and reviewing footwear has also made me more aware of the difference between something looking good and something fitting easily into my everyday life.
Anaar is slightly impractical for me because the very detailing that makes it special also makes it less of an everyday pair.
And I think that is an important distinction when shopping for footwear.
Sometimes you are buying shoes because you want them to make an outfit. In that case, practicality does not necessarily need to be the deciding factor. If I am buying an embellished pair for a festive outfit or an occasion, I am perfectly happy for it to have a more specific purpose.
The mistake is expecting every pretty pair to become an everyday favourite.
What I learned: I can love a pair for how it looks without pretending it is the most practical shoe in my wardrobe.
Liberty reminded me that comfort is not a boring feature
Liberty gave me almost the opposite lesson.
This is the kind of footwear I appreciate when I know I am going to be wearing it for hours. The cushioned sole makes it more comfortable for prolonged wear, while features such as anti-fungal properties add another layer of everyday practicality.
And honestly, there is something satisfying about footwear that does not demand your attention.
You put it on in the morning, go about your day and do not spend the next several hours adjusting it, wishing you had chosen something else or thinking about when you can finally take it off.
That made me rethink the way I shop for everyday footwear.
Comfort can sound like the least exciting thing to look for when there are colours, embellishments, silhouettes and trends competing for attention. But when you are actually wearing a pair for an entire day, comfort stops being a bonus.
It becomes the reason you reach for it again.
What I learned: if I know I will be on my feet all day, comfort is not something I am willing to compromise for a prettier shoe.
ASICS is the pair that made the two sides come together
And then there is ASICS, which is my favourite of the three.
The first thing that caught my eye was the purple colour. It is the kind of shade that makes an otherwise practical sports shoe feel more interesting, and I liked that it did not disappear into the background of an outfit.
But the colour alone would not have made it my favourite.
What really worked for me was the combination of that eye-catching design with the cushioned sole and comfortable construction. It feels like the sort of footwear I can wear through the day without having to choose between looking good and feeling comfortable.
That is probably the biggest thing I have learned from reviewing footwear.
I do not actually want the prettiest shoe.
I do not want the most comfortable shoe if I feel completely uninspired wearing it either.
What I keep looking for is the middle ground: something that makes me happy when I look at it, but also makes sense once I have been wearing it for several hours.
ASICS comes closest to that for me.
What I learned: the footwear I love most is not necessarily the most fashionable or the most practical. It is the pair that manages to make both things matter.
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. They were provided to HT Shop Now by the brand for testing and evaluation. Our opinions remain independent and based on our personal experience with the items. Please patch test the products before use.)
