Hand-Embroidered Phulkari Jooti from Punjab with Sequins
Gentle hand-wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid soaking. Iron on medium heat while slightly damp.
Description
Punjab carries its joy on its sleeve, and now, beneath your feet. These jootis are shaped from pure leather and covered in the exuberant needlework tradition of Phulkari, the "flower work" embroidery that has adorned the women of Punjab for centuries. Each pair is worked by hand, the sequins catching light the way a freshly embroidered dupatta does at a winter wedding in Amritsar. The floral motifs bloom across the upper in colours that feel entirely of the season: deep purples, warm oranges, and the tender blush of pink against beige. Phulkari as a craft belongs to the domestic and communal rhythms of Punjabi life, traditionally stitched by women for celebrations and rites of passage, and that spirit of festivity is carried quietly into every pair. The leather sole offers structure and comfort across long hours of celebration. Wear them with a georgette salwar suit in a complementary jewel tone, or let them surprise beneath a simple white kurta, where the embroidery does all the talking.
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Behind this piece
Phulkari, which translates literally as "flower work," is one of Punjab's oldest and most beloved embroidery traditions. Historically stitched by women for bridal trousseaux and harvest celebrations, it is worked in radiant silk floss across a ground fabric, with motifs blooming outward from a central geometry. On this jooti, the tradition migrates from cloth to pure leather, carrying its sequinned exuberance into footwear. The riot of pink, beige, orange, and purple speaks directly to the Punjabi love of saturated colour, joyful excess, and craft as a form of daily festivity.
How to style
Wear the multicolour variant with an ivory Lucknawi chikankari kurta and wide palazzo trousers for a wedding sangeet, letting the jooti carry all the colour. For a daytime festive gathering, pair the pink and yellow pair with a mustard phulkari dupatta and simple churidar. The orange colourway sits beautifully against a deep teal silk salwar suit; finish with oxidised silver jhumkas and a minimal potli bag. All colourways complement traditional Punjabi jewellery forms, particularly kundan sets and glass bangles stacked generously at the wrist.
Fabric & care
Pure leather requires considered care to remain supple and retain its embroidered surface. Avoid submerging in water or machine washing entirely. Wipe the leather base gently with a barely damp cloth and allow to air dry away from direct sunlight, which fades both leather and sequin work. Store the jootis stuffed lightly with tissue paper inside a breathable cotton dust bag; avoid plastic, which traps moisture. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to the base every few months. Handle the sequinned embroidery with care, as snagging can loosen threads.
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