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This is an archive article published on January 4, 2008

Stomp in style

Stamp out any doubts you may have on the sexiest accessory this winter. Boots are in and they are the best way to stay warm and hip

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Lindsay lohan swears by her white stretch pair with futuristic designs. Bipasha Basu loves her pair of shooties from Neiman Marcus, while Lara Dutta loves hers in soft suede. If there8217;s one trend that fashionistas the world over agree on, it8217;s that the only way to be warm and hip in winter is to get yourself a dishy pair of boots.

8220;It8217;s the sexiest pair of accessory to have in your winter wardrobe8212;something that goes with any kind of outfit,8221; says Tika Shatrujit Singh, advisor to the Louis Vuitton group in India. Vuitton8217;s autumn-winter collection comes for anything between Rs 30,000 and a lakh and has some interesting heels to choose from, including cylindrical ones.

The trend forecast for the season has already touted skinny bottoms as the next big thing. So while you stock up on those drainpipe jeans and brightly patterned leggings, you also need to go with the flow and get yourself a pair of stylish clogs. Thigh-high or knee-height boots have always been a hot favourite but you now have several other options to choose from.

Lace-up boots with wedge heels have done the rounds of the catwalks of Europe and are now a must-have for those who prefer girlie chic. Aigner, for instance, has these beautiful boots in patent leather, which costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 35,000 and has some great surface detailing.

Go-go boots, as the knee-high boots with ultra-low heels are called, have always been a popular choice. This season, brands like Gucci are giving it a new spin. Their newly opened stores in Delhi and Mumbai have knee-high boots in black patent leather with bamboo detailing. But be warned, at Rs 85,000 it might burn a sizeable hole in your pocket. Giannini8217;s inspiration this season is Lee Miller, the 1940s model and photographer who will be commemorated next year at an exhibition in London8217;s Victoria and Albert Museum. So the new collection from the brand focuses essentially on sharper silhouettes8212;particularly, sculpted toes with a metal bottom as well as shorter stilettos.

When you are talking shoes, there8217;s no way you can leave out Jimmy Choo. The brand that is now available in India, courtesy the Murjani group, has a wide array of boots in their autumn-winter collection that are priced from Rs 35,000 onwards. Skinny heels with ingenious cutaways give a startling effect to their booties8212;ankle-length boots8212;while the colours border on metallic and have a glossy sheen. The focus is also on embellishments like oblong buckles, cigarette heels and square toes. Black is still popular, but bronze and steel have an equally strong following. 8220;We have a quieter approach to glamour this season. Decorative elements have an arts and crafts feel and the final punch to this elegant collection is an exclusive provocative bold zip detail,8221; says Angelique O8217;Brien, business head, Murjani Group.

Keeping in mind that heels are the focal point this year, Salvatore Ferragamo has come up with some great options. Their heels can go up to 13.5 inches. Some are made of wood and supported by a platform 8.5 inches high so that your feet attains the height without the discomfort of the arch. From mink embellishments to Celtic cuts to luxurious crocodile straps, the boots from Ferragamo, which start at Rs 35,000, will ensure that you stand tall and stand out in the crowd. 8220;The thing to remember when you are buying boots is where you are going to wear it. For instance, in a weather like Mumbai8217;s, wearing fur boots won8217;t work. Shooties are something everybody can safely get for their wardrobe this season,8221; says a spokesperson from Ferragamo.

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The retro look is in, so alongside conservative colours like black and grey, bright tones like burgundy, red, moss green, gold and metallic hues are popular. And in case you are thinking of comfort, then you can take a leaf out of Karl Lagerfeld8217;s book. At his autumn-winter showing, Chanel8217;s chief designer had models take to the catwalk in gaiter boots. Gaiters are leather or cloth coverings for the entire leg from the knee to the instep or from the ankle to the instep. If you want to be toasty warm, then that8217;s an option you could explore.
With so much variety to choose from, rest assured you8217;ll be spoilt for choice.
So ladies, this winter, walk warm and walk in style.

Paromita Chakrabarti is Senior Associate Editor at the  The Indian Express. She is a key member of the National Editorial and Opinion desk and  writes on books and literature, gender discourse, workplace policies and contemporary socio-cultural trends. Professional Profile With a career spanning over 20 years, her work is characterized by a "deep culture" approach—examining how literature, gender, and social policy intersect with contemporary life. Specialization: Books and publishing, gender discourse (specifically workplace dynamics), and modern socio-cultural trends. Editorial Role: She curates the literary coverage for the paper, overseeing reviews, author profiles, and long-form features on global literary awards. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent writing highlights a blend of literary expertise and sharp social commentary: 1. Literary Coverage & Nobel/Booker Awards "2025 Nobel Prize in Literature | Hungarian master of apocalypse" (Oct 10, 2025): An in-depth analysis of László Krasznahorkai’s win, exploring his themes of despair and grace. "Everything you need to know about the Booker Prize 2025" (Nov 10, 2025): A comprehensive guide to the history and top contenders of the year. "Katie Kitamura's Audition turns life into a stage" (Nov 8, 2025): A review of the novel’s exploration of self-recognition and performance. 2. Gender & Workplace Policy "Karnataka’s menstrual leave policy: The problem isn’t periods. It’s that workplaces are built for men" (Oct 13, 2025): A viral opinion piece arguing that modern workplace patterns are calibrated to male biology, making women's rights feel like "concessions." "Best of Both Sides: For women’s cricket, it’s 1978, not 1983" (Nov 7, 2025): A piece on how the yardstick of men's cricket cannot accurately measure the revolution in the women's game. 3. Social Trends & Childhood Crisis "The kids are not alright: An unprecedented crisis is brewing in schools and homes" (Nov 23, 2025): Writing as the Opinions Editor, she analyzed how rising competition and digital overload are overwhelming children. 4. Author Interviews & Profiles "Fame is another kind of loneliness: Kiran Desai on her Booker-shortlisted novel" (Sept 23, 2025): An interview regarding The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. "Once you’ve had a rocky and unsafe childhood, you can’t trust safety: Arundhati Roy" (Aug 30, 2025): A profile on Roy’s recent reflections on personal and political violence. Signature Beats Gender Lens: She frequently critiques the "borrowed terms" on which women navigate pregnancy, menstruation, and caregiving in the corporate world. Book Reviews: Her reviews often draw parallels between literature and other media, such as comparing Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune to the series Only Murders in the Building (Oct 25, 2025). ... Read More

 

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