Types of Punjabi Juttis explained and how to choose the right one for you..

Not all juttis are created equal, and once you know the difference between a velvet and a sequin jutti shopping for them becomes a completely different experience. You stop browsing and start choosing with intention.

Whether you're buying your first pair or adding to a growing collection, this guide walks through every major type of Punjabi jutti by base material, embellishment style, and occasion so you know exactly what you're looking at and which one is right for you.

All styles mentioned are available at House of Estela and are handcrafted and shipped across Australia and worldwide.

If you could only own one jutti for formal occasions, make it a velvet one. Velvet is the richest, most luxurious base material used in jutti making, it holds embroidery beautifully, carries colour with incredible depth, and has a tactile quality that looks as good in person as it does in photographs.

Velvet juttis are traditionally associated with weddings, Diwali nights, Eid celebrations and sangeet parties or any occasion where you want your footwear to match the occasion's energy. The embellishments applied to velvet such as  zardozi, dabka, pearls, sequins, and mirrors, all look more dramatic against the plush surface.

What to look for:

• Deep, saturated colours  such as teal, maroon, black, midnight blue hold especially well in velvet
• Rich embroidery that sits flush with the surface. Well-crafted velvet juttis have no loose threads
• A soft inner lining: velvet against bare skin should feel comfortable, not scratchy

From our collection:

• Pavo Dark Teal Punjabi Jutti features gold zardozi, dabka, and sequins on a deep teal velvet base.
• Aarzoo Maroon Punjabi Jutti—pearl, mirror, and stone floral work on luxurious maroon velvet. 
• Midnight Elegance Black Velvet Jutti features sequins, cutdana, pink pearls, and dabka on a black microvelvet base.

A sequin jutti is exactly what it sounds like and that's precisely why it's beloved. Sequins catch the light with every single step, which makes them ideal for evening events where the lighting is warm and the dancing goes late.

What separates a great sequinned jutti from an ordinary one is the density and quality of the sequins and whether they're hand-applied or machine-stitched. Hand-applied sequins lie flat and even; machine-stitched ones can pucker and lift. All House of Estela sequin juttis are handcrafted.

Best for:

·       Evening weddings and receptions

·       Diwali parties and festive dinners

·       Any occasion where you want your feet to glow

From our collection:

• Moonlight Gold and Silver Sequin Jutti – our most gifted style, gold and silver sequins that photograph beautifully. 
• Sparkle Golden Jutti — warm golden embellishments with a rich, celebratory feel.

Mirror work (also known as shisha embroidery) is one of the oldest and most distinctive embellishment techniques in South Asian craft. Small pieces of reflective mirror are hand-set into the embroidery, catching and throwing light in a way that sequins simply cannot replicate where sequins shimmer softly vs mirrors flash.

Mirror-work juttis are particularly loved for their Indo-fusion appeal. They look just as extraordinary with a denim outfit as they do with a lehenga. The contrast of a crepe or silk base against the bright flash of the mirrors is a combination that never goes out of style.

The craft behind it:

Each mirror is individually hand-set and secured with thread. It's painstaking, time consuming work that requires real skill. The mirrors used in quality juttis are thick enough not to shatter during wear.

From our collection:

• Lime Green Mirror Jutti  — mirrors, threads, pearls and cutdana on a lime green crepe base.
• Shadow Black Jutti —Golden Cutdana, Mirrors, and Mukaish work on a black crepe base.

Zardozi is a form of heavy metal embroidery that originated in the Mughal court, the word comes from Persian, meaning 'gold sewing'. It uses metallic threads, wires and beads to create raised, three-dimensional embroidery that looks almost sculptural on the surface of the jutti.

Dabka is a closely related technique using thin coiled metallic wire to create dense, shiny embroidery. Both techniques are extraordinarily labour-intensive. A single pair of zardozi juttis can take a skilled artisan several days to complete and the result is a level of opulence that's genuinely hard to describe until you see it in person.

The difference between zardozi and dabka:

·       Zardozi uses flat metallic threads woven into elaborate patterns think of as gold lacework

·       Dabka uses coiled wire laid and stitched down and creates a raised, rope-like texture with intense shine

·       Both are typically combined with sequins, beads and pearls in the finest juttis

From our collection:

• Pink Paradise Punjabi Jutti features zardozi and dabka combined with sequin embroidery on velvet. 
• Exquisite green Punjabi Jutti features intricate dabka and cutdana embroidery on a vibrant green base.

Cutdana refers to tiny faceted beads usually metallic or crystal that catch and scatter light like miniature diamonds. Paired with pearls, they create a jutti that feels genuinely luxurious without being over-the-top.

This combination is a favorite for brides and wedding guests who want something that photographs beautifully, reads as elegant rather than flashy, and holds up through hours of wear. The embellishments are small enough to not overwhelm the design, but together they create a surface that's unmistakably handcrafted.

From our collection:

• Candyfloss Pink Jutti—silk threads, mirrors, metallic copper coins, and pearls. One of our most-loved styles.
• Nora Black Punjabi Jutti — sequins, cutdana, pink pearls and dabka are all four combined.

Ghungroos are the small metallic bells that have been part of South Asian culture for centuries. A ghungroo jutti incorporates these bells directly into the design, giving it a soft, distinctive chime with every step.

Wearing a ghungroo jutti is a different kind of experience to any other style. There's a soulfulness to them and a connection to tradition that you simply feel. They're particularly loved for Navratri, Diwali, mehndi ceremonies, and any occasion with a strong cultural resonance.

Things to know:

·       The sound is subtle — a soft jingle, not a loud clatter

·       Ghungroos are usually attached along the upper edge of the jutti or the toe area

·       They're especially beautiful on velvet or silk bases where the contrast between soft and metallic is pronounced

From our collection:

Heer Ghungroo Jutti — traditional ghungroos on a deep wine base, double-cushioned for all-day wear.

Not every jutti needs to be a showpiece. Minimalist juttis have clean lines, tonal embroidery, restrained embellishments plus have become increasingly popular as women incorporate them into everyday wear and Western outfits.

These juttis work beautifully with linen trousers, midi dresses, wide-leg jeans, and simple contemporary outfits. They bring just enough cultural reference and handcraft quality without overwhelming a casual look. 

From our collection:

• Nora Black Punjabi Jutti  — sleek black base with delicate embroidery.
• Shadow Black Jutti — understated crepe base that works as effortlessly with contemporary outfits as with traditional ones. 
• Pixie White Jutti — crisp white, delicate embellishments, endlessly versatile.

The honest answer is it depends on the occasion and what makes you feel like yourself. But here's a quick guide:

Ready to find your style? → Shop All Women's Juttis at houseofestela.com