A stroll through malls and other public spaces throws up a lot of interesting observations when it comes to fashion. Frumpy comfortable seems to be on its way out and urban chic is in. But there is enough and more being said and written about what women wear and how they wear it, so the question is where do men stand when it comes to fashion?
“One thing I’ve noticed is that Kerala youth now pay a lot of attention to their style and are usually well dressed, not just in the cities, but in the suburbs and outlying areas as well. The common theme is that men are now choosing sophisticated and elegant clothes. Gaudy designs are on their way out and they have been replaced by simple prints and monochrome shades,” says fashion designer Hari Anand.
While this is the common theme, there are always a select few who sport outlandish hairstyles and bright clothes. This budding subculture, loud as it seems, is still constrained to a small group of people, though city youth do agree that men have become a lot more open when it comes to their colour choices. “A few years back, it was unusual to see men wearing bright colours like yellow or pink, but that has changed now. Now, we see lots of men wearing such colours and it is in style, so I think colour choice is one of the main changes that has come about in men’s fashion,” says Rameez Rahim, an employee of a professional services firm.
Even in the brightly decorated and creatively named stores that offer affordable good quality clothing and accessories, the theme of the season is subtlety. According to Shaan P.S., one of the partners of a fashion outlet in Kochi, simple prints and plain clothing is replacing even checks, the evergreen favourite. “We get a lot of young people who are looking for semi-formal clothes, and they like to keep things simple. The one area where youngsters still like to flaunt their individuality is with balaclavas and neck gaiters with designs on them that they wear under motorcycle helmets. These have become very popular among young bikers,” he says.
Since motorcycles are objects of desire and affection among youngsters, functional clothing that aids in their riding pursuits is also highly appreciated. “Waterproof jeans are a real boon,” Rameez explains, adding, “they are a little on the expensive side, but they look good in regular use and remove the need for extra rain gear if a shower strikes. It’s good to see regular clothing sporting extra functionality of this sort.”
Shaan also explains that college students are now bringing messenger bags back in style. “Now you have a lot of very premium-looking options when it comes to messenger bags, so a lot of people work that into their regular style.”
Hari does not hesitate to express his appreciation of the fact that fashion trends are taken seriously in the State these days. “People know what is in vogue and what isn’t. It may not always be that they can afford whatever the latest rage is, but they are no longer unaware. We can now see Chinese collars making a comeback, linen being replaced by cotton and the styles of shirt prints changing. Being stylish and comfortable is what people look for.”
So, does he have any tips on clothing and accessories that guys who are still figuring out their style should be aware of? “Accessories can always depend on mood or societal situations, but everything from shirt buttons to a good watch can matter. As for clothing, I think every man needs to own a white shirt,” he explains.
New styles have cropped up and old ones have made comebacks. Men’s fashion has adapted over time, and settled into a style that suits most and pleases all. The mantra is simple: wear the colour of your choice, keep it simple and comfortable, and turn heads wherever you go.
