What Shoes to Wear With a Kurta: The Complete Pairing Guide

Key Takeaways

• Kolhapuris are suitable for casual and summer kurta outfits, particularly with cotton, linen and handloom fabrics.
• Juttis pair well with kurtas when you want a traditional and polished look, especially for weddings and festive occasions.
• Sandals are versatile choices for casual, warm-weather and daytime kurta outfits.
• Mules add a contemporary touch to kurta sets and work well for Indo-Western and semi-formal looks.
• Flats offer a comfortable option for everyday and semi-formal kurta dressing.
• Choose footwear based on the occasion, kurta style, outfit proportions and comfort.
• Neutral footwear shades such as tan, beige, brown and black can work with a variety of kurta colours and styles.
• Avoid overly bulky or heavily embellished footwear when the kurta already features bold prints, embroidery or detailing.
• For weddings and festive occasions, consider embellished juttis, statement mules or dressy sandals.
• For casual outings, Kolhapuris, flats and simple sandals can create an easy, comfortable look.

Table of Content

• Key Takeaways
  
• Kolhapuris for an Effortless, Easy Look
  
• Juttis for a Traditional Kurta Look
  
• Flats for Everyday Kurta Outfits
  
• Mules for a Contemporary Twist
  
• Sandals for Summer and Casual Kurtas
  
• Common Footwear Mistakes to Avoid With a Kurta
  
• How to Match Your Footwear With Your Kurta?
  
• Complete Your Kurta Look with the Best Footwear
  
• FAQs
  

When we are getting ready for a family gathering, cultural event, wedding or any other traditional event, a very common outfit idea comes to our mind – a kurta set. But do you know how to get the best look with a similar kurta for different occasions?

The right footwear can instantly complement the silhouette, fabric and colour of your kurta.  

Let’s explore the different options of the best footwear for kurta outfits and find out which pair works best for your kurta look.

Kolhapuris for an Effortless, Easy Look

If you want to bring an earthy, handcrafted character to your kurta, Kolhapuris can be a great pick. Due to their open design, they are comfortable choices for warm weather. Especially when you are dressing for daytime events, you can pair them with handloom, linen and cotton kurtas. Besides, according to the kurta style, you can wear designer Kolhapuris with pyjamas, relaxed pants or straight trousers. 

Juttis for a Traditional Kurta Look

One of the easiest footwear choices to pair with a kurta is juttis. The traditional design of this comfortable ethnic footwear can naturally complement Indian silhouettes and also add a polished finish to your dress. You can pair embellished or embroidered juttis with kurtas for family occasions, Diwali events and weddings. 

On the other hand, to create a simple look, choose minimally detailed or plain juttis with a linen or cotton kurta. 

Flats for Everyday Kurta Outfits

Simple flats are another versatile option, particularly for everyday wear. They are comfortable, easy to style and available in countless designs.

For a casual kurta, look for flats in neutral shades such as beige, tan, black or brown. If your outfit is relatively simple, you can also wear colourful or printed flats to add some visual interest.

This footwear for kurta for women works well for long days when you want your outfit to look put together without sacrificing comfort.

Mules for a Contemporary Twist

Do you want to make your kurta feel more modern? 

Then you must try mules that can instantly give a traditional Indian outfit a contemporary vibe. You can find them in various designs and colours. From a simple kurta to a more polished Indo-Western outfit- a pair of mules suits everything.

Are you wearing a kurta trouser set?

Go for minimally designed mules. Besides, if you are looking for the best footwear for festive kurtas, textured or embellished mules can complement them.

Sandals for Summer and Casual Kurtas

If comfort is your priority, sandals are a great pick with casual kurtas.

Without competing with the kurta, minimal leather or vegan leather sandals can create a clean look. Also, strappy designs add a slightly contemporary vibe to your traditional outfit.

So, whether you are heading to daytime gatherings, casual lunches, or vacations, sandals with kurti are a perfect combo.

Common Footwear Mistakes to Avoid With a Kurta

If your footwear doesn't complement the outfit, even a well-styled kurta can look disconnected. So, before deciding what shoes go best with kurta, let’s check out common footwear mistakes-

• Ignoring proportions: Avoid bulky footwear, as they can overwhelm a lightweight kurta and trouser set.
• Overloading the dress: If your kurta already has heavy prints or embroidery, highly embellished footwear can make your look busy.
• Matching everything too closely: Your footwear doesn't have to be the exact same colour as your kurta. Whether you choose premium handcrafted sandals, mules or juttis, complementary or contrasting colours can make your outfit more interesting.
• Choosing comfort over occasion: Comfortable footwear is important; however, very casual sandals may not suit a formal festive dress.

How to Match Your Footwear With Your Kurta?

Whether you choose shoes to wear with salwar kameez or kurta, the choice of footwear depends on the occasion or the purpose. Let’s check them out- 

Complete Your Kurta Look with the Best Footwear 

There is no single "right" footwear to wear with a kurta. Kolhapuris bring an earthy and relaxed feel, and Juttis create a traditional finish. Also, mules can give the outfit a contemporary edge. Sandals are also a good choice for warm-weather and casual dressing.

However, the best footwear for kurta sets depends on the occasion, your kurta, the weather and, most importantly, how comfortable you want to feel.

Are you dressing up for a celebratory event or just a casual event?

Browse cruelty-free, vegan and handcrafted footwear collection of Studio Mend and find a pair that complements your style. 

FAQs

What footwear looks good with a kurta?

The best footwear for kurta outfits can be Juttis, Kolhapuris, sandals, flats and mules. Choose juttis for a traditional look, Kolhapuris or sandals for casual and summer outfits, and mules or structured flats for a more contemporary or semi-formal appearance.

How to Style a Kurta Set for Every Occasion?

• For weddings and festive celebrations, pair your kurta set with embellished juttis, statement mules or dressy sandals. 
• For casual outings, Kolhapuris, flats or simple sandals work well. 
• For semi-formal or office settings, choose minimal mules or structured flats that complement the colours and silhouette of your kurta set.

What kind of sandals would look good with a kurti?

Minimal sandals, strappy sandals and vegan leather sandals can complement a kurti without overpowering the outfit. For casual or summer looks, pair them with cotton or linen kurtis, straight trousers, relaxed pants or even jeans. Neutral shades such as tan, beige, brown and black are particularly versatile.

What are some good formal shoes for a Kurti woman?

For a formal kurti outfit, consider structured flats, minimal mules, dressy sandals or block heels. Choose clean designs and refined textures that complement the outfit without making the overall look too busy. For festive or wedding occasions, embellished mules or dressy heels can add a more polished finish.

What kind of sandals would look good with a kurti?

Strappy, minimal and vegan leather sandals are versatile choices for kurtis. Pair simple sandals with printed or embellished kurtis to keep the outfit balanced, or choose a more detailed sandal with a plain kurti to add visual interest. For warm-weather dressing, open sandals and Kolhapuris can also be comfortable options.