They design exclusively for men and are elated with the way the menswear market is evolving and growing steadily in India. Men earlier thought of fashion as a women’s forte but are now making personal style statements. Thanks to social media, cinema and frequent travel around the world, men too are following seasons, fashion weeks and trend reports. “Modern Indian men are investing time and money on their image and wardrobe. What we wear is the easiest way to express ourselves and assert our individuality. A well-dressed person inspires confidence and aspiration,” says Delhi-based fashion designer Suket Dhir.
Office wear
Throw in a little bit of fun into your office wear with quirky, colourful socks, ties, stole/scarf and other accessories which can instantly enliven a drab outfit.
Designer Sahil Aneja suggests playing with basics like the colour of the shirt. “When wearing suits, try ties in different colours and prints and add pocket squares in complementing shades and patterns. Pocket squares work solo as well. Another trend that is catching up is ‘sportification’. Adding sports shoes or sneakers to your formal attire is the in thing. It looks chic and also gives you immense comfort to be always on the move.”
Accessories
Nothing screams style like ‘accessories’ and with the increasing options, men now are making more room in their wardrobes for them.
Whether it’s a smart leather bag, watch or sunglasses, accessories are the easiest way to go a notch up on the style radar. Suket suggests suspenders, cuff links, watches and hats to accessorise. More men prefer derby hats, bowlers, fedora and top hats. “I remember my grandfather’s generation donning the most dapper hats and then we lost the sense of style somewhere along the way. It is about time men started wearing them. Suspenders are both practical and look quirky,” he says.
Festive dressing
Whether it’s a Diwali party or a wedding, a basic suit or a kurta simply isn’t enough anymore. A well-balanced Indo-Western style is the perfect festive look. Like a kurta with a classic two-button blazer or a classic collar shirt with a Nehru jacket. “When shopping for weddings or festivals, go for fabrics and colours that stand out. Self-textured fabrics look excellent for festive wear. As far as western formals go, double-breasted jackets are back. Shirts with elegant prints can be worn under a suit to make it more playful. They are also good for an evening out. Well-tailored / bespoke clothing is a must, readymade is out,” adds Sahil.
Style tips
Some classic wardrobe essentials for men would be a black suit, a classic white shirt, blue jeans, khaki pants, sunglasses, black formal shoes and Timberland boots. Keeping Chennai’s weather in mind, the designers recommend breathable and light fabrics like cotton and fine linen, or a blend of both. Full sleeve cotton-mulmul shirts are a good remedy for thehumidity. Linen pants/pyjamas or traditional mulmul dhotis can help beat the heat. Suket believes the true signs of a stylish man are, “Well-groomed hair, clean and colourful socks, fused collars and cuffs, clean shoes, creased trousers or a smart pair of denims, sunglasses, good posture and the thought that ‘everyday is a brand new day’.
