Peshawari Sandals for Men: The Complete Guide to India's Most Underrated Ethnic Shoe

What Is a Peshawari Sandal?

If the Kolhapuri chappal is the hero of Indian ethnic footwear — celebrated, GI-tagged, globally acknowledged — the Peshawari sandal is the quiet, consistent performer that works harder than it gets credit for.

It is more structured than the Kolhapuri. More versatile than the Jutti. And in 2026, increasingly visible in the collections of Indian menswear designers who recognise its strong, masculine silhouette and its compatibility with both ethnic and contemporary outfits.

This is the complete guide.

The Peshawari sandal is a closed-toe sandal originating from the region around Peshawar — historically a major city and cultural centre that now sits in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, though the design has been worn across North India and is widely produced and sold throughout the subcontinent.

The defining features of the Peshawari: a closed toe that covers the front of the foot, a fabric or leather upper that wraps the sides, an open back with an adjustable strap or buckle for fit, and a flat or lightly cushioned sole. It has a strong, grounded profile — wider and more structured than the Kolhapuri, less embellished than the Jutti.

The construction varies by version. Traditional Peshawaris use genuine leather throughout. Contemporary versions may use faux leather or suede-finish fabric for the upper, with a leather or EVA sole. The adjustable back strap is the defining functional feature — it allows the sandal to fit a range of foot widths and shapes, and it can be loosened slightly as feet swell through the day in warm weather.

The History of the Peshawari Sandal

The Peshawari sandal has been part of the dress tradition of the North-West Frontier for centuries. Peshawar sat at the crossroads of major trade and military routes — the Silk Road, the routes through the Khyber Pass — and its dress traditions reflect this history of diverse cultural influences. The sandal's construction is practical and robust: it was designed to handle the varied terrain and conditions of a region that stretches from hot plains to high mountain passes.

In India, the Peshawari became widely associated with Pathani dress traditions — the Pathani suit, named for the Pashtun people of the North-West Frontier, pairs naturally with the Peshawari. As Pathani suits became popular across North India through the 20th century, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab, the Peshawari sandal travelled with them.

Today, the Peshawari is worn across India without any specific regional or religious association — it is simply one of the standard forms of Indian ethnic footwear, particularly for men who want something more structured and closed than the Kolhapuri.

Peshawari vs Kolhapuri — Choosing Between Them

The most common question about the Peshawari is how it compares to the Kolhapuri — India's most well-known ethnic sandal. Here is a direct comparison on the dimensions that matter.

Kolhapuri chappal for men →

How to Style a Peshawari Sandal — Five Outfit Combinations

1. The Classic — Pathani Suit and Peshawari

The most historically and culturally authentic combination. A well-tailored Pathani suit in khadi, linen, or cotton — in neutral tones — with a tan or dark brown Peshawari. This is a strong, masculine look that requires no styling thought. It is its own coherent tradition.

2. Formal Ethnic — Kurta-Pyjama and Peshawari

For formal ethnic occasions — weddings as a guest, cultural events, office ethnic days — a structured kurta-pyjama in a quality fabric paired with a Peshawari reads as polished and deliberate. The Peshawari's closed-toe structure elevates the combination above what a Kolhapuri would achieve in the same setting.

3. Everyday Fusion — Jeans and Peshawari

A more deliberate fusion choice. Dark or indigo jeans with a linen or casual kurta worn untucked, paired with a tan Peshawari. This is a look that reads as intentional — an Indian man who has thought about his footwear choices. It is not for everyone, but for those who want to express Indian identity in everyday dress, it works consistently.

4. Smart-Casual — Nehru Jacket and Peshawari

A Nehru jacket in olive, charcoal, or navy over a plain kurta, paired with a Peshawari sandal. This is one of the most consistently stylish ethnic looks available to Indian men — structured, contemporary in its proportions, and grounded by footwear with genuine cultural identity.

5. Avoid — Heavy Sherwani and Peshawari

The Peshawari is not the right footwear for a heavily embellished Sherwani or a full groom's outfit. In this context, it reads as too understated. The Sherwani deserves a Mojari or Nagra that matches its formality and embellishment level.

Peshawari sandals for men →

STEPSOFT Peshawari Collection — What to Know

Our Peshawari range includes multiple upper material options — suede-finish faux leather, patent-finish faux leather, and standard faux leather — each with an adjustable back strap and a sole designed for daily use on a range of surfaces. The suede-finish version in particular has become one of our most popular options, aligning with the 2026 trend toward matte textures in Indian ethnic footwear.

Sizing for Peshawari follows standard UK sizing. Because the back strap is adjustable, the Peshawari is somewhat more forgiving of between-size measurements than the Kolhapuri. If you are between a UK 8 and UK 9, a UK 8 with a loosened strap will typically work, or a UK 9 with a tightened strap. Both approaches are valid.

Caring for Your Peshawari

Faux leather Peshawari sandals require less maintenance than genuine leather, but benefit from occasional cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap. The adjustable strap mechanism should be kept free of dust and debris, as grit in the buckle can affect the adjustment range over time.

For suede-finish Peshawaris, a suede brush removes surface marks and restores the nap. Avoid heavy water exposure, as suede finish materials can mark when wet.

Explore the STEPSOFT Peshawari Collection