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For an enhanced look

Everybody loves it and falls for it, writes T SARAVANAN

PHOTO: G. MOORTHY

ATTRACTIVE Sporting a casual look.

`Inblu', `Tracer', `Diesel', `ID', ... what do these names suggest? If you are a teenybopper, in the habit of collecting footwear, you will perhaps guess it correct. These are the names of some top of the line footwear ever enticing a prospective customer.

Wide range

The range of footwear available in the market these days is simply amazing. From casual to formal wear, trendy party wear to sports shoes, the variety is mind-boggling.

Till a decade ago, most young men and women perhaps purchased footwear annually or bi-annually. But now, the game has changed. It has become fashionable to change the footwear a trifle more frequently. Doesn't matter whether you really need it or not but it should match your attire and reflect the changing fashion trend.

Competitive market

M.S. Qadir, who sells footwear on the busy American College building complex, here says: "Influx of foreign brands into Indian market has created a competition of sorts in the industry."

"The country stands one among the top leather footwear manufacturing countries. Replicas of international designer pairs are readily available at economical prices in the local market. Naturally, the market is flooded with an array of footwear. Most of them come from Mumbai and Delhi. The raw materials for sandals are imported from Thailand," he explains.

Youth feel that the footwear reflects your personality. T.S. Ramesh, who is into the habit of collecting different pairs of footwear, says: "As a person who is into this hobby for the past seven years, I have a strong feeling that your footwear has a psychological impact on you."

"Once you are dressed in a formal wear, you look dignified and at every instance try to behave yourself, whereas in sneakers your gait totally changes. You could feel a spring in your step," says Ramesh, III B.Com., of the American College, who has more than 17 pairs in his kitty.

R. Renuka, I M.Sc. I.T., of Lady Doak College feels that one has to be careful while selecting right kind of footwear.

"High pointed-heels can always pose health problems. Hence, I prefer pairs with even heel. Those with flat heels are always better," she says.

Flat heels can be good but for women, who are concerned with their height, the better option would be high-heeled pairs.

C.T.M. Nilayathadshi, I B.B.A. student of the same college, echoes: "Taller women don't mind wearing flat heels. But for those who are shorter, high heel looks better. But then, I prefer pairs with even heel as it gives a taller took at the same time less harmful."

J. Sudhan, I B.Com of The American College, joins in: "Some men too are concerned with their height. Once they are on elevated soles their confidence soars."

Soles do play an important role in selecting the footwear. Though there are pairs with different soles, people prefer those with polyurethane and Eva soles.

Mr. Qadir says, "Men prefer shoes with polyurethane soles. They are shock absorbent and also expensive. Eva soles are weightless and cater to the economy class."

"Most women prefer footwear that weigh anywhere between 20 gm to 200 gm. But there are also exceptions, as some would like their pairs to be heavy. Some of the pairs even weigh 1 kg. But then lightweight footwear are mostly preferred both by men and women," he says.

"Most of the shops record good sales round the year. The sales normally go up during festival seasons and at the beginning of a new academic year," Mr. Qadir says.

Though the market is flooded with umpteen number of replicated pairs, there are dedicated purchasers for branded ones. Like D. Devaprasannam, II B.Sc. Zoology of Lady Doak College, "It is always better to go for branded varieties."

"For regular use I prefer cut shoe as it protects foot from dust and injury. But here too, prolonged use can alter the shape of your toe."

Durability

One thing has to be accepted that modern youth have deep pockets when it comes to choosing footwear. But they are also very cautious that whether the footwear quality warrants the amount they pay. Though durability has to be taken into account. B. Priyanka, I M.B.A. of the American College feels that it is legitimate for her to expect the footwear to be durable.

For regular use, men and women are more concerned about the weight and cost of the footwear. But when it comes to party wear, their prime concern is flamboyance.

Women's footwear, studded with stones and knitted straps, are well and truly attractive. In case of men, they have fluorescent colours and imported foam leather fixed on their sneakers. Red tape models are also popular.

Assertive youth

All these factors apart, what do parents feel? How do they take it? Do they welcome it? "You are here to guide them and not to veto your children's wish. Modern youth are very assertive in nature. If you are going to block them, they will find some other way to get their wish fulfilled. Hence, change according to times but with caution," says S. Navaneetha Krishnan, Development Officer, Life Insurance Corporation of India and a father of two grown up children.

The rage among men is back-strapped sandals whereas for women it is the exquisitely designed fancy pairs.

The impact of satellite television is also a major reason for awareness on footwear. Most of them are well informed and keep an eye on new arrivals.

They are also clear about their choice of attire, which definitely includes footwear.

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