A good kurta can be undone by the wrong shoe. Sports shoes under a sangeet kurta, a formal black lace-up with a puja kurta: we have seen both walk through our door, and it is always a small tragedy. The right pair is not expensive. It is the right type, in the right colour, and broken in before the day.
We do not sell shoes, so this is plain advice. Here is the difference between mojari, jutti and kolhapuri, and which goes with which kurta.
Mojari and jutti: the dressed-up flat
The two words overlap. Mojari is the name most used for the Rajasthani flat slip-on, often with a curled or rounded toe, and jutti is the Punjabi name for a very similar shoe. Both are flat, leather slip-ons that go with almost every kurta. The plainer ones suit a puja or a mehendi, and the embroidered ones suit a sangeet or a wedding. For weddings, a rich pair with gold or coloured thread is the classic choice.
Kolhapuri: the relaxed one
Kolhapuris come from Maharashtra. They are open leather chappals with a flat sole, and they suit relaxed occasions: a haldi, a puja at home, a daytime lunch. They look best with light, easy kurtas, such as a printed or striped one. They are less right for a sangeet night or a wedding evening, where a closed mojari looks sharper.
Match the shoe to the kurta
With the Blush Pink Solid, ₹1,850, or the Powder Blue Plain, ₹1,900, tan or light brown is easiest. With the Navy Blue Solid, ₹1,950, tan, brown or black all work. With the Deep Maroon Scroll-Panel, ₹3,999, a gold or tan mojari with thread work looks right. With the Charcoal Grey Double-Scroll, ₹3,999, a black or dark brown mojari keeps it sharp.
Match the shoe to the occasion
At a puja, shoes come off at the door, so wear a pair you can slip out of. At a haldi, wear old kolhapuris or chappals, because the ground will be wet and the turmeric will find the shoe. At a mehendi, juttis in a light colour. At a sangeet, an embroidered mojari you can dance in. At the wedding, a rich mojari in a colour from the kurta. For the full order, read what men wear to each function.
Colour: keep it quiet
A simple rule: the shoe should be in the same warm or cool family as the kurta, and quieter than the kurta. Tan and brown suit pastels, earth tones and greens. Gold suits maroon, ochre and green. Black suits navy, charcoal and deep colours at night. Avoid a bright shoe with a bright kurta.
Breaking them in
New mojaris and juttis are stiff and can bite at the heel. Wear them at home with socks for a few days before the function, and carry a spare pair or a pair of plasters. Never wear a brand-new pair to a long wedding day.
When to wear loafers or sneakers
That is a different style for a different crowd. For a party after the puja, with a kurta and jeans, clean loafers or minimal sneakers can work. For a family function or a wedding, stay with a mojari or a jutti.
Online sizes run 38 to 44. Both our shops also carry plus sizes up to 6XL and kurtas for boys and babies, coming online soon. For help matching a full outfit, message us on WhatsApp. For the other accessories, see how to accessorise a kurta.
Questions we hear at the counter
Which shoes go with a kurta pajama?
Flat leather mojaris or juttis for most occasions, and kolhapuris for relaxed ones. Choose a colour in the same family as the kurta.
What is the difference between a mojari and a jutti?
They are very similar flat slip-ons. Mojari is more often used for the Rajasthani style, and jutti for the Punjabi one.
Can I wear sneakers with a kurta?
For a casual party with jeans, clean minimal sneakers can work. For a wedding or a puja, wear a mojari or leave your shoes at the door.
What colour shoes go with a navy kurta?
Tan, brown or black. Tan is the easiest and looks best in the daytime.
Also see: mehendi and sangeet kurtas.