Kolhapuri Flats

Handcrafted vegan Kolhapuri sandals for women - built on a thousand years of Indian craft, made entirely without leather. Every pair in this collection follows traditional Kolhapuri construction: the toe-ring strap, the flat open sole, the woven silhouette - recreated using faux leather uppers and cruelty-free materials, finished by hand with cutdana, shisha, lotus motifs, and neon colour-blocking.

Available in casual, festive, metallic, and embellished finishes. Explore the full heels collection and embellished sandals for more occasion styles.

What Are Kolhapuri Flats?

Kolhapuri flats are traditional Indian sandals originating from Maharashtra, known for their flat sole, open-toe construction, and distinctive toe-ring strap. They have been handcrafted by Indian artisans for over a thousand years. At Preet Kaur, every Kolhapuri flat is made using vegan, cruelty-free materials - the same construction, none of the leather.

Why Do Kolhapuri Flats Work for So Many Occasions?

Most flat sandals do one thing well. Kolhapuri does several.

The silhouette is inherently versatile - not because it tries to be, but because its construction is unfussy by design. It pairs naturally with Indian ethnic wear and western outfits without needing to be styled around. It is flat, so it travels well and lasts through long days. And because it is handcrafted in small batches, each pair carries a level of detail that machine-made footwear simply cannot replicate.

For women looking for handcrafted vegan sandals that hold their own across casual, festive, and ethnic occasions - this is the category that consistently delivers.

How to Style Kolhapuri Flats for Women

With Indian Ethnic Wear

Gold and silver Kolhapuri flats for women are the most versatile entry point. Dull gold pairs naturally with ivory, rust, and deep jewel tones - lehengas, anarkalis, and silk sarees. Silver sits cleanly with pastels, blues, and contemporary fusion silhouettes. For daytime ethnic occasions like mehendi or puja dressing, pastel and two-tone Kolhapuris keep the look light without looking underdressed.

With Western Outfits

Black and neutral-toned Kolhapuri flats worn with straight-cut denim, linen trousers, or a shirt dress is one of the more considered Indo-western combinations you can put together without effort. Women who want flat sandals for everyday casual and ethnic wear will find the broadest range of styles across this collection.

For Festive and Wedding Functions

Embellished Kolhapuri flats with cutdana, shisha work, or beaded detailing are the right choice. They hold their own alongside heavily embroidered outfits without competing - the embellishment on the sandal is flat and surface-level, not structural, so it complements rather than clashes.

Which Kolhapuri Flats Are Right for Daily Wear, Festive Occasions, and Travel?

For Daily Wear

The flat Kolhapuri and two-tone styles are the most practical - lightweight, flexible, and comfortable across extended hours. The padded construction on most styles means these can carry a full workday or travel itinerary without the foot fatigue that thin fashion flats create.

For Festive Occasions and Weddings

The embellished Kolhapuri flats, shisha cream styles, and metallic two-tone options are the right investment. One pair of gold or silver Kolhapuri flats covers multiple functions across a wedding season - mehendi, sangeet, and casual reception dressing - without looking repeated. Women looking for heels for wedding receptions and formal evening wear will find structured occasion options in a separate collection, but for functions where standing and movement are involved, a well-made flat Kolhapuri consistently outperforms a heel across a full day.

For Travel

Neon and colour-block Kolhapuris are worth considering - they carry visual interest without needing an elaborate outfit around them, which makes them useful for trips where packing light matters.

What Are Kolhapuri Flats Made Of

Traditional Kolhapuri construction uses vegan leather shaped around a flat wooden last. At Preet Kaur, the same structural approach is followed using faux leather and cruelty-free synthetic materials - no animal-derived components at any point in the production. The embellishments are hand-applied: cutdana beading, shisha mirror work, thread embroidery, and metal stud detailing depending on the style.

Minor variation between pairs - in embellishment placement, in the tension of stitching - is part of what handmade construction produces. It is not an inconsistency. It is what separates a pair made by an artisan from a pair turned out by a machine. Women exploring embellished heel sandals for festive and occasion wear or handcrafted vegan sandals across other silhouettes will find the same material and construction standard applied consistently across the full Preet Kaur range.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Kolhapuri Flats

Sizing up because of the open construction. Kolhapuri flats are sized to footbed length - the open upper and toe strap do not compensate for a sandal that is too long. Size to your foot measurement.

Choosing embellishment that matches your outfit exactly. Kolhapuri detailing reads best when it complements the outfit tonally, not when it mirrors the same embroidery motif. A sheesha-work Kolhapuri with a shisha-embroidered dupatta creates visual noise - choose one or the other as the embellished element.

Keeping festive Kolhapuris only for occasions. A gold or silver two-tone flat works for far more than wedding functions. Worn with a cotton co-ord or a simple kurta, it elevates everyday dressing without looking overdressed.

Storing without the dust bag. Embellished pairs in particular need to be stored flat and covered - cutdana and mirror work can snag on fabric or other footwear if stored loosely.

Kolhapuri flats earn their place in a wardrobe because they are one of the rare flat sandals that carries genuine craft history without being precious about how they're worn. This collection - from neon colour-blocks to shisha cream embellishment - gives that range a vegan foundation and a handmade finish.That is the combination this category has been missing for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions