Shoes: Fashion vs. Functionality Shoes are an item of decoration for fashion and a representative of social status. People buy all kinds of shoes to style their dresses in a prescribed manner. Different occasions demand different shoes. One can’t simply wear sports shoes with formal wear, or ethnic sandals with Western dresses. No wonder, the shoe industry is a whopping $200 billion dollar a year industry. Shoes thus, have literally become something “to love”. They act as extensions of one’s self by completing the look of a person and not only affect the perception of the self but also of others. However, fashion isn’t the big determinant for everyone buying shoes. For a lot of people, functionality and comfort are factors that go into consideration when purchasing footwear. Not everyone can afford to buy multiple shoes or replace them easily. So, they have to make way with even worn-out shoes to continue with the demands of their work. The cobbler remains an important person who adds life to the worn and torn shoes. Again, not everyone can afford to get their shoes mended. But in the end, for such people, cheap and durable shoes which act as a “humsafar” (companion) in all the tasks that they perform, are the go to.