The secret to elevating any outfit? The right pair of shoes

Where does one begin with shoes? Sure, it's a necessity but for us women, it is so much more. They reflect our mood, how we want to express ourselves in the world and help us, well, put our best feet forward! Sartorial gurus will swear that shoes maketh an outfit and consequently, a woman, and we couldn't agree more! Can you imagine picking the right outfit, accessories and not have the right pair of shoes to complement it? Just the very thought of it is scary to say the least!

Photo: Adnan Rahman

Now, shoes are dearly beloved but they also come with their own set of rules. As mentioned before, every outfit, every occasion demands its own particular style of shoes, and without said attire, will fail to shine. So, shoes are essential. Every fashionista worth her stilettos must have a few edited pairs in her wardrobe that are the building blocks of a great shoe collection.

Photo: Adnan Rahman

To begin with, let's talk about the basics. Every day, we face life in different ways, which also influences how we dress. For some corporate jobs, women are required to dress formally in western wear. Formal black pumps with low or medium heels are perfect for dress pants, skirts or dresses. Other basic colours like dark brown, tan, or beige are also great options for variation. Formal shoes should be closed toe; it is considered inappropriate to wear open toe shoes to a workplace, but in 2025, who's following the rules! Plain strappy sandals with medium to low block heels or kitten heels are also acceptable, depending on the dress code. For some women who dress ethnically to work, similar rules apply too. Heeled pumps and sandals look very stylish with sarees and kameezes, and why should one compromise on fashion, even if it's for work? Avoid crystal-encrusted, flashy sequined shoes at work; your sparkle should come from talent, not from your feet!

Photo: Adnan Rahman

For women on the move, for work or life in general which requires her to wear many hats, wedges are a great option. They come in many different types and heights, which makes them extremely versatile for everyday wear. A low wedge is good for school runs, and project meetings, while a heeled wedge looks fantastic for day-long wear when one wants to look stylish yet walk around with ease. They look incredibly cool with capri pants, skirts and dresses. Comfortable to wear while stylish to look at, they transition perfectly from every one errand to another!

Photo: Adnan Rahman

Ah, the lore of modern woman always on the move! She juggles so many roles, balancing the weight of the world on her dainty yet daring shoulders! Being active is crucial for staying fit, and the right pair of shoes are a must. When shopping for sneakers, choose wisely and invest in a great pair that will see you through various ups and downs, no pun intended! Exercising takes a toll on one's feet and a good pair of sneakers will cushion against all kinds of blows, preventing injuries. We are living in the golden era of sneakers, and one is truly spoilt for choice! Combining form, function, and fashion, sneakers make a great style statement nowadays. Choose the pair perfect for you and burn those calories away!

Let's talk about fun stuff now! Going out, partying with friends and painting the town red means one thing — dressing up to the nines! Needless to say, shoes make or break your fabulous party outfit and needs to be paid attention to. For all kinds of dresses, short and long stilettos are the way to go for a night out. A sequined short dress will call for metallic high heels to show off your toned legs. For slinky long dresses, pencil heels are perfect to make you look tall and lean. A mini skirt will look fantastic with chunky yet funky platform heels, trending now more than the 90's! They not only offer great support, but are also super comfortable. Your legs will look fantastic and you will look super sexy as you dance the night away flaunting your best feet!

Model: Progga

Footwear: Bata

Styling & Fashion Direction: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Makeup: Sumon Rahat

Hairstyle: Probina

Studio: EVF