MAYIN Guides

Footwear for Saree: Heels, Flats and Sneakers, and How to Set the Hem

By Nishita Nathani20 min read

Harvest Sun yellow gingham mul cotton saree by MAYIN

The best footwear for a saree is the pair you can stand and walk in all day: for most people that means a low block heel or kitten heel, or flats such as juttis, Kolhapuris or ballerinas. Whether you choose heels or flats matters less than one habit: decide on the shoes first, wear them while you drape, and set the hem to them. Get that right and almost any sensible shoe works, even white sneakers with a cotton saree. This guide covers the hem method, height, every common heel and flat, sneakers, fabric, colour, the office, the monsoon, temples and wedding venues.

At a glance
Shoes onbefore you start to drape
3 to 7 cmroughly where styling advice lands
45 insaree width: your waist to floor drop
5.5 mMAYIN saree length, blouse piece extra
In this guide

Set Your Hem to Your Shoes

A saree has no fixed length from waist to hem. You set it each time you tuck the first round into the petticoat, which is why the same saree can drag in flats and look short in heels. So set it with the shoes on.

Seven steps to the right hem
1
Choose the shoes firstPick the pair you will wear for most of the day. If you are unsure between two, drape for the lower one.
2
Put on the petticoat and shoesDo your hair first (see hairstyles for saree), then tie the petticoat snug at drape height. If it was hemmed for heels it may peep out in flats; our petticoat guide shows how to measure it in your footwear.
3
Tuck the first round and look downTuck the plain end in just right of the navel and go once round. Stand straight: anywhere from just grazing the floor to about 2 cm above it is fine, as long as the hem covers the heel and leaves the toe free to step.
4
Adjust with the tuck, not the shoesTuck more of the upper edge in to raise the hem, less to lower it. Check the back in a mirror; a hem that dips there catches under the heel.
5
Pleat to the same levelFold five to seven pleats, slip one pin through the pleats only, from the inside, to hold them together, then tuck them in at the navel, facing left. Their lower edge should sit level with the hem.
6
Walk, sit and climb a stepTake a few steps, sit and step onto a stair. If your toe kicks the pleats, tuck deeper; if the heel shows, let a little out.
7
Finish the drapeThen the pallu and the remaining pins: our guide to how to pin a saree shows where each one goes.
Heel height and the hem: a rough guide, not a rule
ShoeWhere the hem sitsWhat to adjust
Barefoot or flatJust off the floor, toes freeTuck a little deeper than for heels; check the petticoat does not show.
Low heel, about 3 to 5 cmCovering the heel, just off the floorThe easiest height to drape for; tuck as you normally would.
Mid heel, about 5 to 8 cmGrazing the floor to just above itTuck a little less; keep the petticoat tied snug so the hem holds.
High heel, above about 8 cmGrazing the floor, heel hiddenTuck the least; if you are tall, check the width (below).
SneakersJust clearing the sole to just above the ankleA deliberately casual look; the classic drape keeps the shoe mostly hidden.

One pair for the whole day

Changing shoes halfway through changes the hem too. Drape for heels and switch to flats, and the pleats drag under your feet. Drape for the lower shoe instead: in heels the hem sits a little higher and shows more of the shoe, which is easier to live with than pleats dragging under your feet, so keep the heel low. If you must switch, carry two spare pins to re-tuck the pleats a little deeper.

How a 5.5 m saree fits different heights

The width, 45 inches on MAYIN sarees, becomes the drop from your waist to the floor, so it is the number that matters for height and heels. The length, 5.5 m, is shared between the wraps, the pleats and the pallu, so how far it goes depends on your waist far more than on your height or shoes.

Height, heels and the 5.5 m saree
PetiteYou tuck more of the width in, especially in flats, so tuck firmly. A low block or kitten heel adds a little height; heels are a choice, not a requirement.
TallIf you wear high heels, check the width first: measure from where you tie the saree to the floor with your shoes on, and leave a few centimetres for the tuck. Tying the petticoat a little lower gives a little more drop.
Fuller waistThe wraps use more of the 5.5 m, so five pleats rather than seven leave a longer pallu. Shoes make no difference to this.

For the full width check and pleat maths by waist size, see our guide to the saree for your body type. New to draping? Start with how to drape a mul cotton saree.

Heels: Block, Kitten, Wedges, Stilettos, Platforms

Heels lift the hem so the pleats fall cleanly and add a little height to the drape, but neither is essential. Choose by how long you will stand and what you will walk on.

Five heels compared
HeelBest forWatch for
Block heelWeddings, parties, long days. Steadiest on lawns, gravel and stairs.Very chunky blocks can look heavy under a fine chiffon; a slimmer block suits it better.
Kitten heelOffice, day functions, petite frames who want a little lift without the strain.A thin kitten heel can still sink into grass, so pick a block for lawns.
WedgeOutdoor and lawn events, long standing days, uneven ground.A tall cork or rope wedge reads casual; keep it hidden under the hem at a formal event.
StilettoShort evenings indoors on a smooth floor: a reception, a cocktail party.Sinks into lawns and slips on polished stone. Keep the heel tip hidden under the hem.
PlatformTall saree looks and evening parties when you want height with less slope.A thick front sole can catch the pleats; take small steps.

Embellished sandals, slingbacks and mules come on any of these heels. Ankle straps hold the foot best on a long day; mules slip off easily at a temple but can flap on stairs.

Fluid fabrics show heels best. A pure chiffon such as Juliet in pink or Rouge Waves in pink leheriya falls long and straight from a heel. A handloom linen with a zari border such as Main Event in maroon and red stands a little away from the foot, so a clean block heel in gold or nude suits it. See also our party wear styling guide.

Flats: Juttis, Kolhapuris, Ballerinas and Sandals

Yes, you can wear flats with a saree, and for many days they are the better choice. The only change is at the waist: tuck a little deeper so the hem sits just off the floor, and make sure the petticoat is not longer than the saree. Flats suit everyday cotton, the office, college and a lot of walking.

Five flats that work
Juttis and mojaris
Gold, tan
The embroidered closed flats of North India. They look festive with almost any saree and slip off easily. Keep fabric and embroidered pairs for dry days.
Kolhapuris
Tan, chocolate brown
Open leather sandals, often with a toe ring. Lovely with handloom linen, checks and stripes, and easy at a temple. They take a few days to soften.
Ballerinas
Nude, black
Closed and neat, with a pointed toe looking smarter than a round one. Good for the office and travel.
Flat sandals
Gold, silver
Plain leather for the day, embellished or metallic for a festive evening. Choose smooth straps that will not catch a fine fabric.
Loafers
Tan, black
A crisp office option with linen or a plain mul cotton saree. Set the hem just clearing the toe.
Good to know
Kolhapuri chappals have held a Geographical Indication since 2019, shared by eight districts across Maharashtra and Karnataka. If you are buying a pair as the real thing, look for the GI mark; some certified pairs now also carry a QR code you can scan to check they are genuine.

Flats look especially at home with gingham, stripes and polka dots. Harvest Sun, a yellow gingham mul cotton, with tan Kolhapuris is an easy day look; Saturday in multicolour stripes takes white or tan flats; Cocoa in brown mul modal looks smart with tan loafers.

Sneakers With a Saree

Sneakers with a saree work best with light cotton and linen in solids, stripes, checks or polka dots, for college, travel, a casual lunch or a day of sightseeing. White or neutral, clean and low profile is the easiest pair to start with. Set the hem a touch shorter than for flats, from just clearing the sole to just above the ankle, so it looks deliberate and stays clean.

Sneakers and sarees
Works
✓Mul cotton stripes and checks: Tokyo in multicolour stripes, Harvest Sun in yellow gingham.
✓Polka dots: Moonlit Pearl in white mul modal, Spot On in black and grey mul cotton.
✓Handloom linen checks: Corner Office with white or chunky neutral sneakers.
✓A short or crop blouse and a pinned pallu, so nothing trails.
✓College fests, travel, Holi with friends, casual parties.
Skip
✕Zari, tissue and Dhakai jamdani at a formal event; the shoe fights the saree.
✕Long, trailing chiffon pallus that brush the ground.
✕Loud logos and very bright soles; they pull the eye down.
✕Ceremonies where the family expects a dressier look; ask first.

At a wedding or a puja, sneakers depend on the family and the event rather than any rule. For fusion looks with a shirt, a belt or slim pants, see our indo-western saree looks.

Footwear by Fabric

Soft fabrics swish and wrap the ankle, hiding most of the shoe. Crisp fabrics stand away from the foot, so more of the toe shows and a clean shoe matters more. Fine and woven fabrics can snag on rough straps, open hooks and sharp buckles.

How each MAYIN fabric meets the shoe
FabricHow it moves at the hemShoes that suit
Mul cottonSoft and light; wraps the ankle and moves with every step. After Dark, Tokyo.Almost anything: flats, Kolhapuris, sneakers, block heels. The easiest fabric for any shoe.
Mul modalFluid with a heavier, smoother fall. Cocoa, Dot Theory.Kitten and block heels, ballerinas, loafers. The fall looks best when the hem just clears the floor.
Pure chiffonLong, fluid and sheer; trails if the hem is set even a little low. Juliet, Noxana.Block, kitten or slim heels, set with the heels on. Smooth straps; no open hooks or rough buckles that pull threads.
Hand embroidered chiffonAs fluid as chiffon, with raised thread work. Vintage Wine.Plain, smooth sandals or block heels so the embroidery is the detail, not the shoe.
Handloom linenCrisp; stands away from the foot, so the toe shows more. Corner Office, The Go to.Loafers, pointed flats, Kolhapuris, sleek block heels. A clean, structured shoe matches the crisp line.
TissueCrisp and semi-sheer with a sheen; holds its shape. Silver, Miss Earth.Metallic sandals that follow the zari tone. Avoid rough straps that can catch zari.
Dhakai jamdaniFine and airy with woven motifs that can snag. Naples.Smooth leather flats or sandals; check buckles and embellishment for sharp edges.

For draping fluid fabrics, our guide to how to drape a chiffon saree covers the tuck and pleats in detail. Under sheer chiffon, always wear a petticoat matched to the saree, or nude if there is no match.

Shoe Colours That Go With Everything

If you buy one pair for all your sarees, make it nude or tan close to your skin. It extends the line of the leg and works with almost every colour. After that, follow the zari for metallics, pick a colour from the border or print rather than matching the saree exactly, and use a bright shoe to lift a plain one.

A shoe palette
Go with almost everything
Nude
Tan
Champagne
Follow the zari
Gold
Antique gold
Silver
Rose gold
Dark and office neutrals
Black
Brown
White
A pop for a plain saree
Rani pink
Mustard
Maroon
Saree colour and shoe colour
Ivory with gold zari
TrySkip
Gold, nude, tan. Skip silver. Gold shoes echo the border on The Go to; mixed metals can look busy.
Red and maroon
TrySkip
Gold, nude, antique gold. Skip black. For Main Event or True Garnet. Black shoes can look heavy against red, and many families avoid black at weddings.
Yellow
TrySkip
Tan, white, antique gold. Skip yellow. Follow any zari. With none, antique gold or tan reads better than shoes in the same yellow.
Black
TrySkip
Black, silver, nude. Skip chocolate brown. Brown can look dull against black. Silver suits Noxana for the evening.
Blue, grey and pastels
TrySkip
Silver, white, nude. Skip black. Black shoes look heavy under a pastel at a day event.
Silver tissue
TrySkip
Silver, nude, grey. Skip gold. Follow the silver zari on a tissue such as Silver.
Brown and beige
TrySkip
Tan, gold, nude. Skip black. Warm browns such as Cocoa take warm shoes.

For the jewellery side of the same metal rule, see our guide to jewellery for a saree; a belt buckle follows it too, as our saree belt guide explains.

Office and Long Days on Your Feet

For the office, closed flats, loafers, pointed ballerinas and low block heels are the safe set. They look neat with a crisp handloom linen such as Corner Office or The Go to, with plain mul cotton such as After Dark in black or Citrus Shift in blue, and with mul modal such as True Garnet in maroon and red.

If you commute in one pair and change at the desk, keep the two close in height or drape for the lower one. See our guide to a professional look in a saree, or browse office wear sarees for crisp, easy pieces.

Weddings, pandals and other long days

A long day standing at a wedding or a puja pandal needs a different shoe from a two hour party.

For a long day
Choose a block heel or wedge over a stiletto; the wider base spreads your weight.
Keep the heel lower than you would for a short evening, in the 3 to 5 cm range if you can.
Add a cushioned insole or a gel pad at the ball of the foot.
Break new shoes in at home, ideally with a saree, a few days before.
An ankle strap or closed back stops the foot sliding forward.

Monsoon Footwear

In the rains, the hem suffers first: it picks up splashes, soaks up water and drags mud indoors. Wear shoes that can get wet, and set the hem a little higher, around the ankle bone, by tucking a touch deeper.

Normal monsoon dates (IMD); the real dates move every year
Around 1 JuneKeralaMonsoon usually arrives first
Around 8 JuneHyderabad
Around 11 JuneMumbai and Kolkata
Around 27 JuneDelhiRains reach the north
Late Sep to OctWithdrawalUsually Delhi first, the south later
For the rainy months
Wear
✓Rubber, PVC or other washable sandals and flats that dry quickly.
✓Soles with a textured grip; wet tiles and marble can be slippery.
✓Open styles that let water drain out.
✓Darker or printed sarees that hide splash marks: Spot On in black and grey polka dots, Dot Theory in brown polka dots, After Dark in black.
Skip
✕Suede, fabric and embroidered juttis, which stain and stretch when wet.
✕Smooth leather soles on wet floors.
✕A floor-length hem, which wicks water up the pleats.
✕Chiffon, linen, tissue, jamdani and zari sarees on rainy commutes; they are dry clean only.

Mul cotton and mul modal sarees whose care label says hand wash can go into a gentle cold hand wash once you are home: let mud dry first and brush off what you can. Dry clean sarees should go to the dry cleaner, and tell them what the mark is. Our guide to washing cotton, chiffon and linen sarees has the full method, and daily wear sarees has many that wash at home; check the care note on each.

Puja and Temple Visits

Many temples ask you to leave footwear outside, at a shoe stand or by the gate, though some allow shoes in outer areas. At home, many families do a puja barefoot. So choose a shoe you can slip off without bending or unbuckling.

For a temple day
Choose slip-onsKolhapuris, juttis, mules and flat sandals without buckles. Skip lace-ups and fiddly ankle straps.
Drape for bare feetSet the hem for flats or bare feet. A hem set for heels drags as soon as the heels come off.
Carry a pouchA cloth bag for your shoes is useful where there is no stand, or if you prefer to keep them with you.
Mind the stepsTemple steps and thresholds are where a long hem trips you. Lift the pleats slightly at the front as you climb.
Hot stoneStone courtyards can get hot by midday in summer; an early visit is easier.
Socks in winterRules on socks vary from temple to temple. Carry a pair and follow what others do, or ask at the gate.

A white saree with a red border is a classic choice for a puja in many families: Kamakshi is white with a red border and gold zari, and Devi is white mul cotton with gold and red detailing. Gold or tan flats go with both. Our pooja saree guide covers colours and fabrics for each festival, and for a Kerala look, see the Onam saree guide.

Weddings, Parties and Venues

At a wedding, the venue matters as much as the outfit: stilettos that suit a hotel carpet sink into a lawn and slide on marble.

Six venues, six answers
VenueWhat goes wrongWhat to wear
Lawn or gardenThin heels sink and get stuckBlock heels, wedges or flats. Set the hem a touch higher so it stays off damp grass.
Marble and polished floorsSmooth soles slip, especially if the floor is wetRubber or textured soles; grip pads on leather soles help.
Beach or sandHeels sink and sand gets into the hemFlat sandals, or bare feet if the event allows. Set the hem at the ankle.
Gravel and cobblesStilettos catch and scrapeBlock heels or flats.
Stages and mandap stepsA long hem catches on the stepsYour usual heel, the hem set just off the floor; lift the pleats as you climb.
Sangeet and dance floorHours of dancing in heelsLow block heels or embellished flats; an ankle strap keeps them on.

In many families shoes come off near the mandap, so slip-ons help there too. For a reception on a smooth floor, try Vintage Wine, hand embroidered chiffon in maroon and red, with gold sandals, or Silver handloom linen tissue with silver ones. Miss Earth, yellow handloom cotton tissue with embroidery and zari, takes antique gold flats for a day function. For full outfits, see wedding guest saree looks and wedding sarees.

A farewell means stairs, a stage and dancing, so a low block heel beats a stiletto. Noxana in black pure chiffon with silver or black heels, or Blue De France, blue mul cotton with sequins, with nude ones, are easy picks; our farewell saree guide has the rest.

A small comfort kit

In your bag
Heel grips and blister plasters for new shoes.
Two or three spare safety pins, for re-tucking the pleats if you have to change shoes.
A cloth pouch for shoes at a temple or a home puja.
Spare flats only if you set the hem for flats; a hem set for heels drags once the heels come off.

For the rest of the kit, from pins to bags, see our saree accessories guide.

Sarees in This Guide

MAYIN sells sarees, not shoes, so the colours under each saree below are shoe colours that suit it.

Shop the sarees
Harvest Sun Yellow gingham mul cotton saree by MAYINHarvest SunYellow gingham mul cottonPair with Tan, white, antique goldTokyo Multicolour striped mul cotton saree by MAYINTokyoMulticolour striped mul cottonPair with White, tan, blackMoonlit Pearl White polka dot mul modal saree by MAYINMoonlit PearlWhite polka dot mul modalPair with White, silver, nudeSpot On Black and grey polka dot mul cotton saree by MAYINSpot OnBlack and grey polka dot mul cottonPair with White, black, silverAfter Dark Plain black mul cotton saree by MAYINAfter DarkPlain black mul cottonPair with Black, silver, nudeCorner Office Checked handloom linen saree by MAYINCorner OfficeChecked handloom linenPair with Tan, black, whiteThe Go to Ivory handloom linen, zari border saree by MAYINThe Go toIvory handloom linen, zari borderPair with Gold, nude, tanJuliet Pink floral pure chiffon saree by MAYINJulietPink floral pure chiffonPair with Nude, rose gold, goldNoxana Black floral pure chiffon saree by MAYINNoxanaBlack floral pure chiffonPair with Silver, black, nudeMain Event Maroon handloom linen, zari border saree by MAYINMain EventMaroon handloom linen, zari borderPair with Gold, antique gold, nudeVintage Wine Hand embroidered chiffon saree by MAYINVintage WineHand embroidered chiffonPair with Gold, antique gold, nudeSilver Handloom linen tissue saree by MAYINSilverHandloom linen tissuePair with Silver, nude, greyMiss Earth Yellow handloom cotton tissue saree by MAYINMiss EarthYellow handloom cotton tissuePair with Antique gold, gold, tanKamakshi White mul cotton, red border, zari saree by MAYINKamakshiWhite mul cotton, red border, zariPair with Gold, tan, nude

Browse office wear sarees and daily wear sarees for flats and sneakers, party wear sarees and chiffon sarees for heels, and linen sarees (₹4,299) for crisp office and wedding looks. Next, read our guides to the saree for your body type, how to pin a saree and the saree petticoat. Shipping is free across India on orders of ₹1,999 and above.

Questions People Ask

What footwear should I wear with a saree?

Whatever you can walk in for the whole event. Low block heels, kitten heels, juttis, Kolhapuris and flat sandals suit most sarees; set the hem with them on.

Should I wear heels or flats with a saree?

Either works. Heels lift the hem and suit fluid fabrics such as chiffon at a party; flats suit everyday cotton, the office and long days. Choose by venue and how long you will stand.

What height heel is best for a saree?

Styling advice usually lands between about 3 and 7 cm. There is no fixed rule: a low block heel is the easiest to walk in, and the heel itself should sit hidden under the hem.

Can I wear flats with a saree?

Yes. Tuck a little deeper at the waist so the hem sits just off the floor, and check the petticoat does not peep out below the saree.

How long should a saree be from the floor?

Anywhere from just grazing the floor to about 2 cm above it, with your shoes on. The hem should cover the heel and leave your toes free to step.

Should I wear my shoes while draping a saree?

Yes. Draping barefoot and adding heels later leaves the hem too short.

What colour shoes go with all sarees?

Nude or tan close to your skin tone. After that, gold or silver to follow the zari, and black for dark sarees and the office.

Can I wear sneakers with a saree?

Yes, with cotton or linen in solids, stripes, checks or polka dots for college, travel and casual days. Choose clean white or neutral pairs and set the hem from just clearing the sole to just above the ankle.

Do I need heels with a saree if I am short?

No. Heels are a choice. A low block or kitten heel adds a little height if you want it, and a single colour from blouse to saree also lengthens the line.

Can I wear juttis or Kolhapuris with a saree?

Yes. Both suit cotton, linen and printed sarees, slip off easily at a temple, and look festive with zari borders.

Keep reading

Frangipani beige and brown floral hand painted chiffon saree by MAYIN Guide Hand Painted Saree Guide: How It Is Made, How to Tell and How to Wear Zyra green floral print pure chiffon saree by MAYIN Guide Pre Wedding Sarees: How to Choose a Saree for Your Pre Wedding Shoot Emerald green striped mul cotton zari saree by MAYIN Guide Zari Saree Guide: Real vs Tested Zari, Styling and Care
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