Manish Malhotra’s guide to ultimate groomsman’s outfit for Indian weddings

Through major transitions in the fashion industry the Indian wedding scene has witnessed a slight shift in focus from the bridersquos repertoire While the Indian bridesmaidrsquos outfits are now garnering attention and importance the groomsman and his clothes continue to play second fiddle Celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra believes the brother and the close friends of the groom have the responsibility of ldquocreating the right impression through their sartorial choicesrdquo right from the prewedding festivities till the lsquoI dosrsquoIn a conversation with Midday Online Malhotra the fashion guru for desi weddings gives a lowdown on the importance of the groomsmanrsquos wardrobe and ways to get the look rightEmbrace Indian wearA groomsmanrsquos outfit need not only be a matter of convenience So when you start building your collection for the special day ldquomake sure to keep it ethnic because one can never go wrong with a classic sherwani and comfortable pantsrdquo says Malhotra On the day of the wedding an exquisite sherwani in neutral colours with a piece of vintage heirloom as an accessory will make for a wholesome look he adds For accessories one might also choose a bejeweled brooch or rings and buttons with coloured gemstonesGroomsmen outfits from Manish Malhotras bridal collection Nooraniyat Photo Manish MalhotraFor a more casual look he says ldquoopt for a regal Jodhpuri suit or a bandhgala and finish the look with a good pair of sunglasses and a classic timepiece A pair of dressy shoes is important toordquoWhen shopping for the event he says ldquoInvest in timeless neutral piecesrdquoDay to nightWhile Indian wear is a safe and obvious choice for Indian weddings there is no rulebook that directs partakers to not experiment However dressing in accordance with the time of the day and the eventrsquos formality is necessary says MalhotraIf you donrsquot want to take major risks he believes you can never go wrong with various sherwanis bandhgalas or differently cut jackets paired with edgy pants or simple kurtas with a separate embellished jacket or even a classic tuxedoFor a daytime event in the warmer months go for breathable fabrics in lighter hues such as kurtas with bandis in neutral tones Embroidered kurta bandhgala kurta silk kurta dhoti kurta pathani kurta and layered kurta are some options that would suit a groomsman wellGroomsmen outfits from Manish Malhotras bridal collection Nooraniyat Photo Manish MalhotraFor formal affairs in cold evenings go for an elevated look with dark suits bandhgalas and sharp tuxedos Accessorise with dressy shoes wellfitted socks ties and cufflinks When you feel confident with the look elevate it further with either a bowtie or a pocket squareFit the billldquoIf you want to avoid last minute emergenciesrdquo Malhotra says ldquoit is imperative to start the trials a month earlierrdquo Many a time we are forced to go ahead with an illfitted outfit because we did not have time for alterations Uneasiness due to size mixups or bad fittings can hamper the final look no matter the beauty of the outfit itself Also picking up the accessories along with your clothes will help you build the look step by step Feel free to change the accessories if you decide to change the outfit or the look Give yourself ample time to put all the pieces together so all of them complement each other Not to mention try to make offline purchases as far as practicable so you are fully aware of all the aspects of the outfit right from the beginningFinal thoughtsMalhotra says ldquoGroomsmen always take the easier path of wearing something common and comfortablerdquo but a significant way of portraying how important an event is for you is by dressing well for it Today they are much more informed about fashion and are not afraid to experiment With fashion labels and designers going out of their way to give a facelift to the Indian wedding industry the friends of the groom need not stay away from the spotlight anymoreFor a better understanding on how to get Indian wedding looks right attend the online edition of Vogue Indiarsquos Wedding Show 2022 on httpsweddingshowvoguein where designers including Malhotra will be showcasing their styles