By Rashi Wadhera
If you went to DU and/or at least tried to dress like you did, chances are you shopped at Fabindia. With stores in every location, and in every mall, their line of easy, breathable and cotton Indian wear have become wardrobe staples and almost iconic, especially when the jeans don't button. Back in the market for our summer fix of kurtas and patialas to match, we stumbled upon a lesser known Fabindia product - their shoe collection! Housed somewhere in between {and under} all the racks of size divided kurtas, kurtis, anarkalis and kaftans, there exists a display of some excellent summer strappy sandals, jootis and kohlapuris. You probably missed it, just like we have all these years, since we've been trying to stay ahead in the who gets the last small white churidar race.
For inexpensive but top quality flats, especially the kind you can wear with most Indian outfits, Fabindia deserves a special mention. Kohlapuris for men and some, in every size, colour of brown and style, are perfect buys for when you don't mind spending a tad extra on chappals, since you're guaranteed they'll last. We've been scouring the by-lanes of Lajpat and Sarojini Nagar for jootis that don't bite, and we finally found them at Fabindia. From regular tan jootis, to the more fancy embroidered variety, Fabindia jootis take a little breaking in to, but have turned out to be more reliable than any by-lane bought ones. They're also retailing a line of open, strappy, leather summer sandals {for both men and women}, incase you're a less invested shopper and need just one pair of shoes to tide you over for every kind of outfit. They're available in black, tan {and all it's brown cousins}, and much to our surprise are bang on trend with thick strap detailing {almost like the 2014 platform shoe}. Besides the aforementioned, Fabindia has also introduced a brand new line of western flats. Again, following 2014's trend forecasts, they're doing the pointy ballet shoe, in pre dominantly black, red and tan colours, with classic Fabindia prints and detailing. The ballet flats are open-back, so completely summer friendly, and have a line of clutches, jholas and totes to match. While we're on the subject, you totes need to check out their line of over sized leather totes {again in the tan family shade card}, understated clutches and cross-body bags. Clear winner of our little discovery? The black and red, floral printed tie-up sandals.
As visitors of Fabindia since our DU days {we don't wish to put a date to that}, we've never paid enough attention to the exhaustive line of accessories. Just goes to show how you can never know a store too well. All we have to say is, half the fun is in constantly finding more out! Next time round, forget the churidar, hit the shoe rack. There's almost always no one there, and you won't be disappointed. Unfortunately, shoes are the only thing Fabindia doesn't retail online, so a visit is necessary.
Notes in our Little Black Book | For a line of affordable, easy and summer Indian flats, Fabindia makes our list. Their collection of jootis, kohlapuris and leather strappy sandals for both men and women are perfect finishing touches to any kind of outfit. Best news yet; they don't bite.
Where: Find a Fabindia store nearest you, here.
Price: Depends on what you buy, but their line of footwear starts at INR 800.