Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek shape. The casual ones are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile. The dress ones are commonly made for women. The majority of these have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles.

The upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but also made with openings or even a connected series of straps. For example, an open toe feature in women's shoes. Shoes with ankle length (covering the ankles) upper bodies are also available. They often have zippers.

The commonly shoe-style worn in India are in black and brown with gold and silver work. The youngsters usually wear keds with jeans a t-shirt. While there are a large number of branded companies here, yet some business people have also brought distribution rights of international names.