What do Indian men want to wear in 2024? Are they flocking to Western clothes since anything brand name and Western seems popular right now in India? Or do they still like the kurta pajamas that their dads wore? This article will answer those questions by exploring what’s popular fashion in India for men this year.
Ethnic With a Western Twist is In
You have seen Indian men (and even women) wear a traditional Indian Kurta/Kurti with jeans. That’s an example of mixing stylish Eastern outfits with practical and traditional Western ones. But now, that’s mild compared to what’s on the horizon for Fashion in India for men this year. As India continues to open its economy up to the world, it’s becoming more Westernized.
Indian designers are responding by redefining fashion for men. That’s most evident in the Sherwani – the go-to outfit for going out for Indian men. The Sherwani now looks like a dressed-up Western business suit with all of its asymmetrical cuts and layers. Indian men look even more stylish in these suits than they did in traditional outfits. So, ethnic with a Western twist is here to stay.
How Ethnic With a Western Twist Began
But Western-inspired Indian outfits weren’t always a stable fashion for men. There was a time when ethnic wear like the Saalwaar Kameez and the dhoti were popular. That started to change, especially among the Indian elite when the British colonized India. The British wanted to mold the Indian aristocracy to think, act, and dress like them.
So, they influenced Indian men (and women) to dress like British men and women. That meant that fashion in India for men began to get more of a Western makeover. Men started to wear pants and shirts more often, especially outside. After a while, the Western influence became permanent. The traditional Kurta and pajamas became something that was only worn on special occasions.
Men are Into Accessories
While most men are nowhere near the jewelry connoisseurs that some women are, they pair their fusion outfits with fashionable accessories. That includes bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, and necklaces, among other items.
Western Outfits Get an Indian Makeover
When people think of Indian clothes, they think about fun, lightweight, and colorful cottonwear. Indian designers remember that when they come up with men’s fashion lines. It’s not uncommon to see ethnic fusion clothing decorated with art and embroidery work that you wouldn’t find in Western clothes. That’s part of what makes Indian clothes so unique. It’s also why Indian clothing has always been popular, especially among Westerners.
Fashion in India for Men is Getting Help From Bollywood
Indian movie stars aren’t just celebrities in India, they are gods and goddesses. So, not surprisingly, Indian men will eagerly buy clothes that a designer like Manish Malhotra makes and an actor like Varun Dhawan wears. People around the world want to dress like their favorite movie stars, and Indian men are no exception.
Bollywood stars and movies did Western wear a real favor by promoting it in India. Movie stars have worn Western-style clothes for decades now, and many Indian men only wear either Western clothes or Western-inspired outfits.
Men are Environmentally Conscious
It’s not inexpensive to produce clothes. Companies spend millions doing so. They pollute the water, air, and ground with waste runoff from manufacturing clothes. All of this harms the environment and threatens our ability as a species to survive long-term. Indian men are well aware of that. So, they support those designers and manufacturers who use eco-friendly materials and sustainable methods when making clothes.
Expect to see more Ethnically inspired Indian and Western clothing made from natural fibers like cotton and jute. Not only are these materials easier on the environment, but they last longer. That’s a real bonus because making even one outfit leads to a lot of waste materials that aren’t good for Mother Earth.
Many clothing manufacturers are recycling fabrics. That puts less stress on the environment. It also makes fashion in India for men much more affordable. Manufacturers are getting innovative and creative with eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics. They are starting to use bamboo threads and pineapple leather in their outfits.
Men are Dressing Up, Even at Home
Previous generations of men may have worn the kurta pajama, the dhoti, or an undershirt with plain shorts while at home. But today’s Indian man wants to look sharp, even at home. Designers and manufacturers are responding with comfortable clothing that looks nice. Think of cotton or raw silk jackets like Jawaharlal Nehru wore paired with colorful and floral kurtas and Western pants.
Fashion in India for Men is Getting a Makeover
Indian men want to look good. They want to blend into the global fashion scene as well. They find that wearing eco-friendly and stylish ethnic fusion wear made under sustainable conditions allows them to find affordable ways to make a real fashion statement while preserving the environment.