Spring 2016 is here and as usual at the on start of the year we often long for a prediction or a clue as to what the year ahead is going to be like. While not much can said about your career or personal life as the writer is by no means an astrologer, what we can do is predict and spell out fashion trends for the upcoming year. In 2016 fashion trends for India is all about going back to the roots of our culture with ethnic wear and exploring ethnic fashion with a healthy dose of experimentation with western wear. This is clearly the year for indo-western fashion for men. Ethnic garments paired with western wear, ethnic footwear with western wear, indo-western sherwanis, button less kurta type shirts, bandhgala suits are Nehru jackets with western wear are the primary trends for a man’s look book this year. Read further to know more.
Ethnic Footwear with Western Wear
Jeans and t-shirts are a staple that we can barely avoid on a day to day basis. These clothing items for men are so widespread that on any given day one can step out of home and see multiple men on the streets wearing them and looking like clones of each other. There is also a good chance that you look exactly the same as everyone else with your jeans and t-shirt on. To break this monotony without completely bypassing denims and tees, one can match everyday casuals with casual ethnic footwear. This will lend your casual wear a classic yet subtle ethnic element. Kolhapuris, jootis and ethnic sandals are ideal choices for teaming up with your jeans and tees.
Kurta and Denims
If you take a fair amount of pride in Indian ethnic wear than is no reason to limit its use for wedding and festivals. Everyday casuals can be spiced up with a touch of desi swag in the form of ethnic wear. Team up your kurta with jeans for that casual outing to the mall, dinner with friends or even college for that predominantly Indian with a touch of western look. Opt for slim fit kurta in vibrant colors for an evening look while it’s best to stick to whites and beige in fabrics like cotton and linen for morning casuals. This mix and match ensemble has been around for a while now and will continue to trend in 2016, more so during the summers. Read further for winter fashion trends for men in twenty sixteen.
Nehru Jackets
While the Nehru Jacket widely refers to a blazer or waist coat with a mandarin collar, the blazer is also known as bandhgala blazers to better differentiate between the two. Let’s start with the bandhgala waistcoat which is most widely known as the Nehru Jacket. This mandarin collar waistcoat was initially worn with a kurta pyjama for that festive ethnic look however more and more fashion stylist are experimenting with this garment and matching it up with western casuals and formals. This trend will be a big part of the indo-western look book for men this year. Team your Nehru jacket up with your tees and denim or wear it over a casual shirt with denims for that western look perfectly juxtaposed with a touch of Indian charm.
Ethnic Motif Laptop Bags and Backpacks
One accessory that will continue to trend this year is ethnic motif laptop bags. Laptop bags and laptops which are conventionally western ideas are now being reproduced in an all new ethnic avatar for the Indian market. These bags and laptops are getting a touch of desi swag with Indian designs and motifs on Indian handloom fabrics. Pair up these bags with your western casuals for that perfect indo-western look or even carry along one of these laptop bags to work to break the monotony of your western formals.
Slim Fit Kurta Pyjama
The slim fit kurta pyjama has been trending for a while now and will be the preferred ethnic garment for 2016. Match these sharp cut kurtas with pyjama bottoms that are close fitting and gather at the ankles. Best worn for special festive events and weddings, this ensemble is perfect in whites and beige in fabrics like cotton and linen for morning wear and in bright vibrant colors with high sheen fabrics like silk for evening wear.
Bandhgala Blazer
The Bandhgala blazer will also continue to trend this year as an ethnic garment that is perfectly suitable for indo-western styling. Like the mandarin collar waist coat this bandhgala full sleeve jacket can be teamed up with denims or semi formal trousers and can be worn over tees and shirts. For a more pronounced indo-western look, wear the bandhgala blazer with Jodhpur style trousers and a great slim fit shirt.
Indo-Western Sherwani
While the indo-western sherwani gained currency in 2015, it will really catch on in 2016 possibly being considered as a serious contender to the traditionally sherwani. This modern day interpretation of the traditional sherwani is characterized by its shorter blazer like bandhgala upper worn with churidar pants. Detailing like zari, zardosi and resham embroidery will range from subtle and delicate to full on desi bling. This high fashion ensemble will be popular for festive wear and many Indian grooms will also opt for this ensemble for their wedding day.