The traditional Kolhapuri goes hip

Kolhapuris have been around for the longest time in the history of fashion. It's a fact that every woman owns a pair of this classic piece of footwear. And over the years, these traditional, leather chappals have undergone quite a makeover, getting only better in its coolness quotient.

Originally the Kolhapuris used to come in shades of brown, both dark and light, which has now been tweaked to suit the fashion palette of big cities. Hoards of this handmade chappal carved out of original leather can be found in the local markets of Delhi and other cities, splattered with vibrant hues of pink, green, golden, silver, purple and more.

An Indo-western touch
While you may think that Kolhapuris can be worn with Indian wear (salwar-kameez) only, it's time for you to brush up your knowledge on the latest trends. Teaming the colourful flats with Indian and western outfit is something that all women have tried, tested and are now flaunting with elan. Neha Gupta, a Google Adwords professional who owns five pairs of Kolhapuris in different colours says, "They look great with both Indian and western outfits and I wear them with suits as well as jeans and tee-shirts." But do they equally complement strict formal attires? "Of course, you wouldn't be able to wear them with a black evening dress. But Kolhapuris with canvas wedge heels look great with formal linen pants and skirts," says fashion designer Rina Dhaka.

Kolhapuri in styles galore
The demand for Kolhapuris is forever on the rise. The trend has never faded and never will. Besides introducing colour in the classic Kolhapuris, designers have started including intricate embroidery and sequin work on them. Gold and silver trimmings along the edges make them look all the more ethnic and stylish. "Kolhapuris are a classic and can never go out of fashion. They are the best seasonal footwear one can opt for. I got my Kolhapuris from Thailand. They had a lovely collection of nude pinks and dull greens that I couldn't resist picking. I personally like the ones with a small block heel!" shares Rina.

The essence of ethnic remains
While most women cannot stop themselves from buying Kolhapuris in as many colours as they're available in, there are still people who prefer its original make. Mansi Sood, a theatre artist says, "Many people don't buy the original Kolhapuri that comes in thick leather because it tends to give you a shoe bite but it works fine for me. I somehow feel closer to tradition wearing the simple, brown chappal. But since I wear them with jeans and kurtis and tee shirts, it takes care of the not-so-orthodox look."

Best buys in Delhi
Pick a pair off the streets or walk in to a plush shoe store, there's never a dearth of Kolhapuris in the markets. The best places to look for a good, economical pair of Kolhapuris are Dilli Haat (INA), Central market (Lajpat Nagar), Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, and Karol Bagh. Easy on the pocket, they come as cheap as Rs 250 - Rs 350 a pair. So, go and get yourself a pair if you haven't already!