REVELRY REGALIA
This month is all about celebration. Akanksha Maker helps decide on looks for an upcoming important occasion
Festive fashion trends
December calls for all things festive. Whether it’s Christmas you’re celebrating or your best-friend’s wedding, it isn’t easy to pick the right garb. From choosing the style to colours, fit and pattern, the outfit you select is crucial to making that ideal first impression you’re looking to pull off. With the plethora of options and brands around, it’s hard to narrow down on what works best for you.
Apart from the classic black tuxedo, the trendy Indian man has expanded his horizons to alternative outfits for revelry. It’s safe to say that Indian designers have overhauled ethnic wear for men. It’s no more just about a plain kurta paired with jeans; the fashion forward man experiments with the variety of Indian fashion available around him. Think of bandhgalas (highneck Indian suits) or Jodhpur pants (polo pants that have descended from the Rajasthani royal city), the choice is plenty.
Here are some options that will help you put your best foot forward at a significant soirée.
NEHRU JACKET
A hip-length tailored coat with a mandarin collar was the preferred choice of attire for Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. It was marketed as the Nehru jacket in Europe and America in the mid-1960s. Also referred to as the “prince coat” or the bandhgala, it has taken Indian fashion by storm since a few years now. It is a regular jacket that has its front buttons closed and a high-collar, giving a very royal look and feel to the wearer. And it’s no surprise why; it was also the outfit of choice of the princes and kings of Rajasthan. The jacket has created quite a stir internationally as well, with the likes of Narendra Modi and Jeff Bezos sporting it on global platforms. (Known as the Modi jacket, a khadi made vest in pastel colours (like chrome yellow and sky blue) is the preferred outfit of the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, to promote and popularise khadi material.) Today, it is adorned by men of all ages and is a sophisticated option for a wedding or even a formal event that calls for Indian wear. While tailoring your bandhgala, it is crucial to get the fit right. The jacket must be cut high on the armhole while fitting like a glove on the chest — like second skin. Ideally, the length of the
bandhgala is dictated by your body type. While the arms are resting against the body, the sleeves must end at the thumb. Getting the length wrong can work against the look of this posh piece of clothing. Pick a pocket square in a bold colour or a pattern to add a finishing touch to your outfit. Go for fabrics like silk and velvet to luxe up your ensemble. A number of international designers such as Paul Smith and Corneliani have also presented the bandhgala, exemplifying the global relevance of this royal Indian outfit.