Boots, pumps and Oxfords for winter chills

Is it any different in our parts of the world? You might be scoffing away, but make an attempt to turn up at the next job interview in multicoloured sneakers or better yet flip-flops and you would easily get the answer! 

Every occasion and weather condition demands a different kind of shoe and if it were not so, then there would not have been shoe artisans and so many types of shoes in the world.

Winter witnesses shoe stores displaying an abundance of collections in covered shoes. Sounds a bit off-putting and unfashionable, a closer inspection would reveal a completely different story.

Shoes for the ladies in winterPumps
There is no reason why you need to freeze your feet while shivering on a freezing winter night wearing those high-heeled strap-sandals. Pumps are back in fashion, with the right amount of heel; these covered shoes would give enough coverage while still looking sleek and stylish with any dress. There are also gorgeous and sensual variations to pumps – ballerina, booties, ankle length and knee length pumps. These are available at selective stores around the city like Bata, Apex Footwear, Cats Eye, and few outlets in Elephant Road and the Bashundhara City Shopping Mall.

Sneakers
If you were looking at more informal occasions, then sneakers and clogs are the best alternative to sandals and flip flops. Available at all shoe stores around the country these are extremely comfortable footwear, meant to fight the fangs of winter.

Boots
The very name might suggest an alien image where everything is covered in frost and snow. Contrary to popular belief boots can be worn in tropical countries where the cold is not too much to handle. We are definitely not talking about ugg-boots or knee-length boots rather the booties that pairs fantastically well with a pair of jeans or formal trousers. Boots are available at selective high-end shoe stores around the capital. 

Shoes for gentlemen in winter
Men might gape and wonder how winter was any different from any other season, because they were already accustomed to wearing covered shoes all the time. Well, the season demands a different kind of style and hence the diverse shoe types.

Boots 
No reason to roll the eyes! Boots are an essential part of men's winter footwear. We are not talking about the grizzly kind or the Texas cowboy version, but of stylish and comfortable dessert boots and brogues. Elephant Road hosts a plethora of shoe stores; one can tumble-over rare kinds upon scrutiny.

Sneakers
When cold creeps in and you are prompted to insulate yourself with jeans, jackets and thick socks you definitely consider sneakers as the best option to cover those feet up and keep them warm. Various brands like Nike, Reebok, Puma, Adidas, Brooks, etc. are available at most shoe stores, but be careful to check the products for original tags, labels, packaging and logo carefully, as knock-offs abound.

Oxfords 
Professional settings call for Oxfords anytime, anywhere. Winters are no different. Covering large part of the feet these are the appropriate selection for any formal occasion. Available at all shoe stores around the country, these 'must-haves' are modish and timeless.

The smartest shoes can be worn with anything. Whether it's sneakers from Bata or Oxfords from Apex Footwear, they would definitely make you look chic if you selected the right pair. 

A word of advice, make sure to invest in shoes that are long-lasting and provide some kind of protection. Suedes may look smart the first time you wear them, but they might just be a puddle away from complete destruction in a city, especially like Dhaka.

By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Footwear: Apex Footwear