Footwear for the season

With the unforgivable clouds unleashing their full force all over the country and the unbelievably clogged roads, every Bangladeshi has to do a fair bit of wading during this time of the year. Wearing your best shoes might not be a good idea as the dampness might cause damage and deterioration. Choosing the right shoes, especially during this time of the year, is essential as it saves a lot of time and sweat not worrying about them while you are out and about.

Working women need to look fashionable and be on the run at the same time. Rains, for them, can seem quite a challenge. While outdoors, avoid wearing flats and shoes made of fabric. Leather shoes must be avoided for the same reason. However, synthetic or water resistant shoes can be a good idea. Flip-flops should not be worn either as they will make your feet muddy. In any case, they can never pass as office wear!

Outside your workplace, if you are not very worried about fashion, you can wear a pair of rubber sandals with the thickest sole you can get. You can put on shoes you do not like or old shoes that are eating up space in your cabinet. This way, your shoes will be thoroughly used and hopefully, by the end of the season you will have some space for new pairs!

Footwear in the capital is almost synonymous with Bata. It has a trendy collection of sketchers for the athletically inclined and plastic ballerinas with cutwork which can be used for rough wear. For formal outings, heels and wedges in numerous designs are also available. The great thing about Bata is that it never makes women's shoes with fabric but thick, strong material, which is a blessing for this season. So you can have faith and buy their products as long as it's not leather. 

Apex, another leading brand, has a collection of wedges in various designs and colours which is good for formal occasions or casual outdoor parties. 

Lucrative jelly t-straps of fun florescent colours are ruling the racks now and are also ideal to wear in damp weather. Sandra Rosa by Apex has brought new designs of comfortable flip flops of contrast colours and strong soles that you can also check out.

Apex is a unisex brand, catering to the footwear needs of both men and women. Sprint, for example, has sneakers, running shoes, etc for both sexes. Meanwhile, Nino Rossi is for women. It is a brand following the latest trends - a perfect choice for avid followers of fashion. On the other hand, Moochie offers classy and sophisticated shoes for party wear and office wear too.   

Colour blocking is the trend now. Try anything of bright, solid colours in the rain; it would lift your mood and also create a contrast with the cloudy weather, making you look trendy and fun. In your bag, reserve a pair of your quality work shoes you can slip into once you are in the safe and dry confines of your office. 

For office-wear, Cordovan leather shoes work great for men. They are made of a fine and strong, shiny leather. They can be imported but are quite expensive. Water resistant leather shoes and shoes with rubber soles will be good as well. 

Children love to play outdoors in the rain. Make sure they have a good pair of shoes on their feet. Rubber sandal shoes with fat soles are comfortable but keds and rubber sneakers would be even better for sporty children for both school and outdoor occasions. 

Bata also has a collection of boots in both dark and light shades and of different designs for men. For kids, there is a wide collection of colourful sneakers you can search through. Again, leather is best avoided.

Rains can be tough on people, especially if you're a working parent or a multi-tasking student. While a bad shoe can peel off in the mud and embarrass you, a good and strong shoe in the face of the rain will enable you to function day to night. With that in mind, choose your shoes carefully; a mere shoe can essentially make or break your day.

By Dania Manal
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Footwear: Apex