A menswear guide on how to look stylish while attending weddings

From picking the right classics to thinking out of the box, here’s how to ensure your clothes make you look dapper and cool at any wedding 

Dear men, it’s understandable if dressing up for weddings is tedious for you. Chances are, your outfit options can get monotonous–wearing the same beige sherwani or black tuxedo at multiple weddings, making you look like a clone of ten other male guests. While yes, as the bride or the groom’s best mate, you don’t want to overshadow their big day, but if you’re not a famous celebrity, then weddings are as close to your ‘red-carpet’ moment as it can get. We are not saying you need to have a Timothée Chalamet-like backless moment courtesy this year’s Cannes Film Festival (but you can bookmark that as your Halloween costume). We are talking about a sleeker, chicer and a more sophisticated version of you. We asked some experts to help you look beyond the ill-fitted suit or sherwani you keep recycling for every wedding. Sorry groom, but we are arming the boys with some expert advice to look their very best (and maybe even better than you) at any wedding function.

Not-so-boring basics

There’s a reason why classics never go out of style; the tried-and-tested staples are the building blocks of your wardrobe. So when it comes to Indian wear, one must-have that designer Arjun Khanna suggests is investing in a good-quality bundi as an appropriate wedding ‘uniform’ that can be worn with several variations. “You can never go wrong with a bundi—wear it with a white shirt with a contrasting pair of trousers or over a kurta with a fitted churidar,” says Khanna, who has styled actors like Saif Ali Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Siddhant Chaturvedi, among others. “Another classic combination is having a black suit and a pair of black or cream trousers–it is universal and versatile enough for multiple use," he adds.

For a more formal ceremony, designer Anushree Reddy recommends the evergreen bandhgala. “The polished look and the sharp silhouette of a bandhgala is the best amalgamation of classic Indian wear with formal western wear. Top it up with a printed pocket square for the ‘it factor,’” says Reddy, who recently showcased her occasion wear collection at Lakme Fashion Week. Her ‘Mystic Fantasy’ collection included a pastel colour palette for menswear ​with classic thread work on bandhgalas and Nehru jackets. 

While investing in absolute basics is a given, the problem with classics is that it can get monotonous if you run out of ideas to wear it in different ways. So once you have your basics of blacks and blues in place, try different colours, as designer Sandeep Gonsalves suggests. “Contemporary colours like slate grey and pastels heighten the overall look and set you apart from the rest. Shades like maroon, sand and emerald green also tend to create a sense of royalty and elegance,” says Gonsalves, director and co-founder of bespoke label Sarah & Sandeep. Khanna agrees when it comes to choosing pastels. “Don’t shy away from pastels, especially baby pink. I think baby pink really suits Indian men but a lot of them are hesitant to wear it,” he says.

Apart from trying out new colour combinations, play around with fabrics. Pick a linen suit for a beach wedding or a thicker fabric like hand-woven jacquard if it’s in the cooler months. Tailor them around classic silhouettes that work for you and it’ll look like you made an effort to think outside the box.

Don’t ignore accessories

Before you roll your eyes and groan at how cliched it might sound, hear out why the designers, stylists and people who actually know about fashion love the phrase “accessories can make or break your outfit.”. With the sharp lines of gender slowly blurring out, accessories like jewellery are now becoming a part of men’s wardrobes, too. Embrace accents of pearls, gold or silver the way Harry Styles or Ranveer Singh do. “Accessories are very important. Cufflinks, tie pins and lapel pins are some accessories which I recommend men incorporate while putting their looks together as per the outfit. When you are wearing a tuxedo, add a brooch on a lapel,” he says.

Another way to accessorise is by incorporating ties and bow ties. Khanna suggests playing around with fabrics and colours. “Use a velvet bow tie or a bottle green bow tie. It really adds to the overall look of the outfit and makes you stand out from the rest of the men.” Gonsalves agrees with this. “Concept ties and bow ties can really set you apart. Accessories like geometric brooches and asymmetrical drapes with dupattas also add character to your entire outfit,” he says. Reddy, on the other hand, suggests adding a splash of prints into the mix when it comes to ties and pocket squares. 

The subtle touch of experimentation

“Menswear fashion is getting experimental, and so should everyone. A fusion of different silhouettes from across cultures and current trends is also a way to look at styling this season. A tailored silhouette, in fact, has the power to stand out. Even classic silhouettes can be styled into something more comfortable, but at the same time, not take the spotlight away from the groom,” says Gonsalves, who likes the idea of power shoulders. “Power shoulders and larger lapels add value to the look of the ensemble. Manipulated and detailed ties and bow ties with contemporary cufflinks can add to these exaggerated silhouettes,” he says. 

Khanna, too, suggests trying a different silhouette, and playing with the length, especially when it comes to kurtas. “Men can definitely try the shorter version of kurta, even more fitted ones. Another thing that a lot of Indian men shy away from is wearing dress pants. I really feel men should wear dress pants—it really looks good and quite different from what others are wearing,” says Khanna. Reddy is also of the belief that for someone who is a little shy in trying new things, soft pastels and off whites can be a way to introduce a new colour palette into their wardrobe. “A pastel chikankari kurta is a perfect example of this. Subtle, still trendy and fashionable,” she says. When it comes to curating an outfit for a destination wedding, Reddy gives a big thumbs up to co-ord sets.  “Men should definitely give a shot to resort-indie kurta sets–they are comfortable, quirky and still look formal and presentable,” she adds. For an engagement dinner or a mehendi function, whatever your dress code is, attempt to experiment a bit and step outside your box of comfort in order to dress to impress.

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