SPOILT FOR CHOICE

For long, menswear was associated with staid, clear- cut designs and patterns. The market of men’s fashion which was confined to wedding wear from sherwanis, bandhgalas and formal suits has now expanded to semi- formal to casual wear. Today, we see coloured trousers, neon shirts, customised shirts and funky printed tees on the streets. The anarkali kutra, slim fit shirts, double cuffs, dhoti trousers and customised styles in collars and pockets have already made it to the contemporary man’s closet. Things have taken a right turn with several national and international fashion labels making shopping adventurous for the buyer. Right from the men’s wedding trousseaux which have become as glitzy as those of their female counterparts, the heavily encrusted sherwanis and Jodhpuri jackets which often outshine the bridal lehengas to the casual trousers and jackets, men are spoilt for choice. Designer Sreejith Jeevan who recently won an award for his film on fashion says, “Men’s style has become eclectic. The coming together of Indian and western wear, the availability of fashion tips at the press of a button through apps, a wide range of apparels offering something for everyone to suit their colour, size and occasion, have all contributed to men embracing fashion. We’re bombarded with images when we’re travelling, or watching TV or surfing the net. Earlier, fashion used to be a solid or a pinstripe shirt accessorised with a good belt and shoes. Now there’s so much more. There are fantastic jackets, usage of pleating and plenty of embroideries, intricate or otherwise.”