Tips for “Correct” Shopping Decisions

We are all constantly trying to keep abreast of all the latest fashion trends, as dictated by the ever dynamic Fashion Industry. The easy availability of popular as well as luxury foreign and domestic brands in the market has given us immense choice in the selection of our apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Indian consumers are now more aware of global trends because of the updates available at their fingertips 24X7 through various online blogs, e-Magazines, and Social Media.  However, the knowledge of trending shoes, colors, silhouettes, prints and materials does not equip us with the equally important knowledge of what is “healthy” for us.

Health is not only dependent upon what we eat and how we exercise, but also on what we wear! While wrong-fitting clothes can cause great discomfort and physical problems, incorrect Footwear is often one of the major causes of an unfit body, and this includes incorrect socks as well as shoes. We’ve tried to prepare a list of some very common factors to consider while purchasing fashion. 

Size & Fit: 

Have you ever fallen in “love at first sight” with a pair of shoes in a shop window? And then felt heartbroken on finding out that they are out of your size? These emotions are likely experienced by most of us at least once in our lives. However, few of us are wise enough to let it go and move on to a more compatible pair.

The worst thing you can do for your body is to force it into incorrectly sized clothes, socks, and shoes. “Incorrect” here is NOT synonymous wit “Tight.” Too loose clothing and footwear also poses a health risk for the wearer. 

Shoes that are too tight can lead to problems like in-grown toenails, hallux valgus, corns, callouses, joint pain, back pain, gait problems in addition to extreme walking discomfort. On the other hand, if you regularly wear shoes that are too loose you are sure to end up with hammer toes and faulty gait in addition to being at a constant risk of tripping. Some of these problems might not surface immediately but can arise at any time in future, when it would be too late to take corrective measures.

Similarly, if you wear too-tight socks, your feet will feel pinched and might get de-shaped while socks that are too-loose can cause build up of pressure points that will negate the comfort of a well-fitting shoe as well. 

Also, if your clothes are too tight you will feel constant discomfort and the tightness may result in blocking off blood supply, excessively pressing a sensitive organ etc., and on the other hand very loose clothes might get caught in objects and cause tripping.

Be strong and say “NO” to uncomfortable and ill-fitting apparel or footwear.

Season Friendly Materials:

Given the variety of seasons we get to experience in our country, we generally purchase clothes in fabrics that are right for the season. Fashion trends are also governed by seasons and, therefore, getting season-specific apparel is not much of an issue. But what about shoes? And, socks? 

In summers it is best to wear socks made of 100% cotton and socks made of wool in winters. Socks made of synthetic materials are not breathable and can cause allergies, rash, or just sweaty and smelly feet. Likewise, the material of shoes plays an important role in your overall health. The material would also vary depending on the specific purpose or kind of shoe. However, the basic rule is that the shoe upper material should be breathable, flexible, supple, lightweight and durable in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. We recommend Leather shoes because Leather is the best material known to man for shoe-making and has all the above qualities along with being permeable and conformable to foot shape. Shoes made of non-breathable,non-permeable material can cause sweaty and smelly feet as well as fungal and bacterial infections. 

Accessorize well:

Accessories can truly make or break an outfit. Your accessories must be trendy and must complement your outfit well. Just as important is that your accessories are functional and ‘comfortable.’ For example, the belt you wear should be of the correct size to give you a smart look as well as a comfortable fit. Your laptop bag should not be excessively heavy and should have a padded strap that does not dig into your shoulder. Your handbag should have an adjustable handle that allows you to carry as per your requirement at any point. Genuine leather accessories are a smart choice as they look great and are durable too. Wallets and Cardholders should be shaped such as to keep your money and cards safe. Watches, ties, scarves etc. Should be worn in a way that is trendy yet comfortable. Remember, you can never hide your discomfort, and it can mar the most elegant of outfits. 

In no way do we say that Fashion is not important, however it is imperative that Fashion is incorporated in our lifestyle with a conscious consideration for size, fit and material.

We would love to hear your feedback and your experiences in this area.

Happy Shopping!