SHERWANIS NOW MORE CONTEMPORARY
Happy Father’s Day! The time has come to celebrate and cherish all our dads out there. Even more exciting is the array of clothes and accessories offered on runways for the men (or little boys!) in our lives! From wedding and party wear, to get-together and pooja wear, every look is as trendy as ever.
Gentlemen, notice how popular sherwanis have become? They’re being worn more and more, no matter how distant from the groom or guest of honor at weddings and functions the guest may be. These long, padded silk coats with churidaars underneath look formal and elegant. Now, however, designers have spiced them up to be more contemporary and appropriate for any and every generation.
Traditional sherwani – The traditional sherwani is almost always in a white, cream, or beige color. It’s adorned with moghul-style embroidery, usually including the good-luck and always tasteful meena-kaari colors: red/maroon, sage green, and gold. The churidaars underneath are always white, as has been the custom for ages. A more sober color emerging, that’s much darker yet still equally refined, is navy blue. It’s surprisingly stunning! The bold at heart will jump at the turquoise and silver, maroon and white, and pink and gold creations, but the current groom who’s not as secure with these louder colors may opt for a twist on the traditional look, such as a beige sherwani with silver or white work, or a white sherwani with only maroon embroidery and sequins. A flashier version of the traditional white or cream sherwani is the same color, only mixed into a gold brocade fabric. This small texture /pattern change transforms the outfit completely, making it look extremely current.
Modern sherwani – Bridegrooms now are demanding a sherwani that is more exclusive and more upmarket looking. Runways achieved this goal by offering these pieces in a more couture variety. A short brocade vest underneath a long open-jacket sherwani is becoming prominent, as a built-in dupatta attached to the sherwani is. These looks are catching even the most discriminating critics’ eyes, and will definitely keep the spotlight on you a little longer! Prints, too, have become a phenomenon, appearing in paisley or ambi prints on sandsilks, and pinstripes or tie-dye hues on brocade. Experimenting is not scary, gentlemen! Be confident and try these sure-to-please styles!
Either way worn, the sherwani is now strongly here to stay and has even put its contender, the jodphuri (a blazer/suit jacket ornamented with Indian embroidery and regular pants/slacks), at risk of losing it’s number one position in mens’ choice of desi wardrobe!
Send us your fashion questions and concerns. Follow the trend! E-mail us at [email protected], and we’ll answer any and all your fashion dilemmas! Here’s this month’s Fashion Drama Question of the month:
Q: My daughter has just informed me that lehngas are out of style, and that she wants to wear a sari – she’s only 14 years old! Is this appropriate? Sunita – Riverview
A: Hi Sunita! And Happy Father’s Day to the men in your lives! To be honest, saris are extremely popular now, especially for younger girls. To be sure the sari is age appropriate, just focus on less torso exposure to ensure a cleaner impact. Short cholis are in, but not so short where when arms raised, the view is indecent. Also, being your daughter is only 14 years old, opt for a more traditional sari blouse, instead of going overboard with halter-top or strappy looks, which would indeed be inappropriate in most cases.
Once again, Happy Father’s Day to every dad out there in every form, dads-to-be included! Ladies at times may seem overwhelmed with their motherly duties, but everyone knows and agrees, the more help, the better! Four hands are always better than two! And we thank you, dads, we appreciate you wholly. And as always, remember to gro with style!
Kiran Bahl of Gro Styles, "An Indian Boutique," 2035 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33612, can be reached at (813) 843-9040 or (813) 903-8334.