BoHo styles and ethnic looks are hot right now and embellished Indian shoes (known as khussa) fit the bill perfectly. However, did you know that not all khussa shoes are created equal? These ethnic beaded flats are so pretty with their bright colors and intricate handcrafted beading that it can be easy to overlook quality in your shopping. Low quality khussa shoes will not break in correctly, deform quickly, and can be bad for sensitive skin.

Look for high quality leather.

The key when shopping for Indian shoes, is to look for khussa shoes made from high quality leather. Many manufacturers will use inferior leather for the uppers of the khussa and some use poor quality leather for the entire shoe. To avoid this, the uppers should not be a different color leather than the soles. The shoe should look stiff not floppy (good quality khussa leather starts off very stiff, and then breaks in to conform to your foot). The leather should appear thick, not thin. Poor quality leather can be bad for sensitive skin and can take on an offensive odor over time.

These are poor quality ethnic shoes.  Notice the floppy worn look and the different shades of leather.  They have a used dirty appearance and the leather looks thin.  Also notice the middle picture has a poor quality flesh-tone liner.

Check where the khussa are made.

Khussa are referred to as Indian shoes, but they are made in India, Pakistan, and China. Pakistan is widely recognized to provide the best quality handmade khussa shoes. Leather is cleaned with a process using salt and Pakistan has huge supplies of salt and uses it liberally. Salt is very expensive in India and is used sparingly to clean leather. Pakistan is also world renown for quality hand stitching (many high end shoes are made in Pakistan, as are sports balls, including the world's best soccer balls). Stitching techniques are passed down through families for many generations. Chinese beaded flats are normally very low quality, cheaply made, and will not last long.

Look for shoes that look like they have good workmanship.

If the shoe looks slapped together, it is slapped together. The khussa should look stiff and solid, not floppy or worn.  The stiching should be nice and tight.  Pen lines and stencil marks on handmade khussa are normal and expected and often cannot be seen when worn.  Take a look at all available pictures when shopping for ethnic khussa shoes. Are there plenty of close-up pictures?  Do the shoes look to be of high quality?

                       
Notice the tight stitching.                    Notice the general look of quality in workmanship.

Make sure the seller stands behind their product.

Will they be there for you after the sale to answer questions? Do they have a return policy (does it allow returns if you get the wrong size)? Does the return policy cover shipping? If not, how much is their shipping? Is there a restocking fee? Are they easy to contact?

More Tips:

• Often manufacturers cover poor quality leather with flesh-tone vinyl or "cushion" inserts.
• Khussa leather should be stiff at first. Quality khussa shoes will break in over time.
• Poor quality leather will often develop a foul odor over time and irritate sensitive skin.
• Beware of overly high shipping charges.
• Look for khussa shoes that look stiff and new.
• If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• If you have any questions, contact the seller.

You can find more khussa information on my FAQ page including a link to a printable khussa sizing template.

I hope you found my guide helpful.  If you have any suggestions for improving this guide, please contact me.

Jody Rogers
Beachcombers! Bazaar 
Beachcombers! ME Page

All pictures are from my many attempts to find good quality khussa shoes and from our own selection of Beachcombers! khussa Indian shoes. 
All information in this guide is copyright Beachcombers! 2004-2006. All rights reserved.