Put your best foot forward!

On an average day, clothes tend to take up most of our attention. Choosing the right combination of shirt/jeans/blouse/ pants/kurta/palazzo to get on with our lives is what we mostly focus on. And when that predicament is dealt with, it's on to the accessories.

A lot of times our footwear ends up being the most neglected aspect of our appearance. Little do we realise that shoes hold the power of making or breaking an otherwise well-planned outfit, for both men and women. What goes on our feet matters as much as what we put on ourself, and hence it is about time to give them the attention they truly deserve.

Choosing the right pair of footwear, however, can be tricky. A basic, old pair of black lace-ups or flat slippers just won't cut it anymore: in order to stay ahead of the pack one needs to be aware of the styles that are hot and happening right now.

Great strides have been made in the field of women's footwear in the past few years. While the basic black and metallic stilettos, nude wedges, easy slip-ons are essentials that every woman should own, this year it's all about taking things to the next level.

Colour-blocking, thick, chunky heels, sky-high heels with a brightly-coloured platforms are all the rage this year. Your average pair of high heels just got a serious makeover: think multi-coloured straps, bejeweled heels with contrasting platforms, unusual materials such as suede, snakeskin, calf hair juxtaposed with patent, glitter fabric and soft leather - the more interesting the details the better! These fun shoes can the add mega bling factor to your party outfit, so much so that you can get away with a simpler outfit!  

For everyday shoes, the options are endless. Androgynous styles are very hot right now. A pair of Oxford lace-ups, low booties or loafers looks chic and sophisticated when worn with cigarette pants, tights and jeans. These Oxfords can be in a feminine pastel or juicy hue, or it could also be glittery if you are a magpie at heart like me!

Booties that have studs, rhinestones or pearls even add a rock-chick vibe to your look. The most versatile among these styles has got to be the loafers. There are many styles to choose from, such as penny, moccasins and driving shoes. Available in many different, fun colours, these are a great option for everyday wear. Choose an unusual, vibrant shade such as sienna, indigo or camel.

Men have their shoe styles cut out for them unlike the, ahem, fairer sex! Classy styles such as formal Oxfords, lace-ups and casual loafers will forever remain in vogue. One thing to bear in mind is that all loafers aren't drivers. There are many different kinds of loafers, such as penny, moccasins, and drivers among others. Choose one in a fun shade such as bright purple, blue or deep green. Different materials such as suede, rubber and canvas are trending right now.

Leather however, is always the best choice due to its longevity and durability. For those who want to venture outside of their comfort zone, funky, colourful sneakers are a great option.

The age-old sneaker has received an exciting new facelift. Details such as neon shoelaces, metallic colours, studs and buttons have elevated the boring sneakers to high fashion must-haves.

High-tops and trainers are especially cool. Boots with quilted or striped motifs with exaggerated hardware is very stylish and trending right now. Boat-shoes in whimsical colour combinations and slip-on sneakers are great everyday options.

That's pretty much all of the trending styles in 2015 for both men and women in a nutshell. Armed with these tips every fashionista and her male counterpart are likely to make wise decision when choosing trendy footwear and turn heads with their on-point sartorial flair!       

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Imran and Riba
Shoe: Apex
Wardrobe: Ambar Lifestyle
Shoot Coordinator: Tabassum Anila Hridi
Make-up: Farzana Shakil