The Shoe Grows Bigger on Men’s Footwear

Perhaps the Chinese get a kick out of making shoes as China produces over 60% of global production when it comes to footwear. Make no mistake, India is the distant second producing a total of 22 billion pairs and accounting for around 9% of global production. But then, two things play their part when it comes to demand for men’s footwear viz. Disposable income and knowledge of the fashion trends internationally. Nevertheless the men’s footwear industry has clocked a steady growth in recent times.

A close look at the market reveals that casual players dominate the Indian scenario accounting for nearly 2/3rd of the total retail market. Non-leather footwear is a substantial 1.23 billion pairs occupying 56% of the market size; not to forget that the entire market is dominated by men’s footwear cornering 58% of the total retail market. However, while the industry is dominated by the unorganised sector in India, lifestyle changes have altered consumer behaviour pushing up the organised footwear retail segment.

Over recent times, International players have been quite attracted to the men’s footwear market, in spite of local brands playing up on the “Indian” card. But then the changing tastes and fashion affinities of Indian males are redefining market rules and style and sensibilities are taking an upward curve. Compounding this is the new charm of online stores which have caught the imagination of young male consumers. The mushrooming of e-commerce has extended reach and penetration bringing urban, rural and semi-urban markets into the same wide net. This harbours well for the industry. And cashing in on this are Indian manufacturers who have resorted to extensive use of online mediums to connect, inform and woo fashionistas through personalised programs. 

Understanding buying sentiments has become the key to success and footwear brands are aggressively pressing the right emotional buttons to drive the buying sentiment in Indian consumers. Experience zones are the secret mantra of offline footwear stores to persuade indulgence and appeal to the evolving consumer’s sense of chic. And all these are cemented strongly at the back end through a variety of factors like evaluation of user friendliness of website, paying attention to their check out experiences, interpretation of payment satisfaction, grievance redressall systems, post sales smiles, transactional ease, briskness of despatch, aggressive value delivery... Fine, major brands are at war on the pricing front, but the soul of these brands are insulated and well protected, their awareness kept intact for a long term engagement with the consumer and the fashion trends that they follow.

A kid wearing shoes and sandals is too small

This was revealed in a survey where it was discovered that over two thirds of the children who wore shoes had the wrong sizes. In this survey, conducted with over 2000 parents, it was found that 47 percent of the kids wore one size smaller and a further 18 percent wore two sizes smaller, thus exposing them to the risk of foot deformities.

The view of experts is that the foot problems and posture issues arising out of wearing the wrong sizes of footwear could surface at a later stage in life. The problem is believed to be rampant because boys and girls grow up very fast and parents end up encouraging them to wear larger sizes.
 

What is the health risk involved?

What is interesting to note is that more than half the parents never took the trouble of measuring the feet of the child. Their perceptions were merely visual and not thorough, thus exposing the child to the risk of Hallux Valgus.

Hallux Valgus causes the contortion of the big toe by making it crook obliquely towards the other toes of the same foot. These causes a swelling of the synovial bursa of the great toe which leads to the enlargement of the joint and a painful bump either sideways or below the affected toe.

When the angle of the Hallux Valgus exceeds 15 degrees, it is considered abnormal. It was discovered in a research conducted in 2009 that 3.3 percent of children who wore the wrong sized footwear had angles in excess of the prescribed 15 degrees. However around 26 percent of the kids did not have any abnormality and were well within the 10 to 15 degree angles which is considered natural.

Tips for parents

Prevention is better than cure. In order to forestall any foot abnormalities for children it is advisable to follow certain protocols while selecting a new pair of footwear for kids.

Firstly there are no binding rules in the footwear industry when it comes to sizing shoes and sandals. This means that the same sizes between different brands will vary on different scales. So there is no “one size fits”. So it would make sense to measure and check out the shoe size which is imprinted on the shoe and not on what’s on the box.

While measuring the foot, measure both feet because the size of the feet need not necessarily be the same. Sometimes one foot can even be a centimeter and half longer than the other. It helps to consider selecting a shoe for the foot that is bigger.

Parents are encouraged to ensure that there is ample space for the feet inside the shoe. Specialists recommend that the child’s great toe should be at least ½ an inch from the inside of the toe cap while in standing position.

It is suggested that the shoes of the child should be checked either every fortnight or every month. This is because children are not aware of sizes and tend to squeeze their feet into smaller kid shoes. So it makes sense to measure the feet of the child at regular intervals. Shoes should necessarily be changed when it is noticed that the feet have grown in size. If there are signs of swelling or pain or any other visual disorder is detected, the feet should be immediately measured. Also, as is the case with shoes made from leather, it should be checked if there is distortion or bulge which is a sure sign that the shoes don’t fit the child.

Hot Styles for Women with Flat Feet

Does having flat mean blah footwear that looks more medical than stylish? Banish the thought for today a range of ladies slippers, sandals, slip-ons have been designed to support the foot arch and still look fabulous!

Points to keep in mind when shopping for ladies footwear/sandals or slippers

 

If you suffer from flat foot then just keep these small but crucial factors in mind and then shop away.  Lack of an arch means your feet are more prone to stress as the arch serves as a natural shock absorber. So you need to buy footwear that provides arch support and better cushioning.

1. The foot wear must provide arch support that’s right for your foot shape. Only wearing them will give you the idea.
2. Make sure the footwear gives you good side space. If your feet keep sliding off on either side, the arch support will be of little use.
3. Raised insoles. It has been found that shoes or sandals with raised insoles provide better support to the middle feet and that’s simply raises the comfort level.
4. Ensure that the sole is well cushioned but not so soft that feet sink in, instead of being supported.
5. The moment the sole cushioning loses its firmness and flattens out, throw them out.
6. Alternatively, you can buy arch supports and wear them for an evening out, whatever be the footwear!

Now that you know what to watch out for, let your inner shopping goddess out and choose away.

Cork heels: These are just about the best thing for you. Cork by nature takes on the natural curve of your feet and can give support to just the right places.

Casual Shoes: Most good walking and casual shoes are light weight, ergonomically designed with extra room for free toe movements. 

Smart tie-up or gladiator ladies sandals: These provide extra support to the Achilles tendon and still look super cool. Colourful bands and exotic tying strings make these women footwear a joy to wear.

Uber fun flip flops: Today’s flip flops come with extra cushioning and great arch support. Just slip them on and hang out in style.

With such a range of options available, your feet gets so much of choice to look hot, sexy and simply hot, flat foot or not!

Shoes, no longer just fitness accessories but fashion statements!

So you thought walking/gym /sports shoes & footwear are good to play in, but as fashion statements, nah not really? Well here’s some info to pop open your eyes in surprise. 

Still think shoes are only meant to protect and reenergize feet as you play or workout? That till now, were mainly plain pieces with just the mark of the maker? That is really engineering marvels with suspensions and what not and not really fashion high wear?

Ah, now, they’re decorated in rhinestones, embellished with Swarovsky crystals, spun into beauty with embroidery and gold zippers to celebrate a basketball legend, and, made stunningly outlandish with new age design that can be called pop art more than a shoe!

The fun part is that companies making these shoes are the same ones making ‘the-height-of-comfort’ sports/casual wear shoes. Yes, the guys who gave you Crocs, the Nikes and Reeboks and Adidas-es and Uggs are working with designers to bring make shoes catwalk stunners!

French High Fashion Street wear brand Vetements went at the Reebok shoe to come up with a sea blue deconstructed pump shoe that would be comfortable walking the ramp in Paris and Milan!

Ugg teamed with designer Jeremy Scott to create a cool ‘hang-in-there’ brown suede shoes.

Nike Air and Swarovsky teamed up create a sparkler with almost 55690 crystals sown into the upper!
British designer Chris Kane transformed a Croc Swiftwaters shoe, giving it rhinestones and crystals, into chic wear. Earlier he’d created the marble patterned clog for them!

And Nike’s LeBron sneakers sneak in a design whallop with embroidery and golden zippers!

Just playing shoes? These are shoes and other footwear you’d flaunt on catwalks and posh parties thrown by the rich and famous!

Comfortable Ladies Footwear You Can Walk in All Day

When a woman is on her feet 3/4th of a day, she does not need just any footwear, she needs foot helpers!

Let’s face it, the average woman’s activities, especially if she’s juggling home and work, keeps her on her feet almost through her waking hours. If she’s on holiday, then too walking takes up majority of the activities. Now, when her mind is on love, care, work, play, fun and adventure, the feet cannot drag her down with blisters, aches and pains! That’s why choosing the right activity footwear for ladies is just so important. 

Things one must keep in mind when choosing an activity or a work based footwear
The sole is your first support: Choose a strong, sturdy cork or rubberized sole that will cushion your walk, and take the pressure off your ankle and knees. These sandals and slippers with strong soles will also grip the floor better thereby giving you a stronger lower back support too!

The foot bed should be soft and cushioned: The place where you rest your soles of your feet on must be soft and yet supportive of your stride. It must not be squishy as too let your feet sink into them nor flat and hard.

The slipper’s cushion bed must strengthen arches of the feet: Long hours of standing and walking can be a challenge to the arches of your feet. Just remember the center of your feet is where it arches. It’s specifically curved to bear load as beautifully as possible. To strengthen it, ensure your sandal or slipper does not have too many curves on the cushion bed. The slipper/sandal must not pinch your toes or forces your toes to stay in an upward position.

Soft uppers that hold and support foot: The slipper or sandal uppers must hold your foot firmly at the top. Strong toe holds add to stability. Or, firm straps across the foot spread the weight of the foot evenly and averts foot pain.

VKC slippers and sandals: where good, solid designs are paired with style and elegance!
Just because footwear has been designed for support does not make them plain looking! VKC offers women a range of slippers and sandals that are so aesthetically styled with pleasant colours and lovely shapes and are yet sheer heaven to wear.

The women chappals and sandals are available across our range, from VKC Pride to Stile to Trendz to Lite to Skalino! They’re available in a store very close to you, across India and the SE Countries or you can get on to any internet fashion superstore and order your ‘pleasure to wear’ VKC online.