groom-essentials

MALE OF TWO CITIES

The sherwani vs the suit!

By newadmin | Posted Sat 03 July 2010

THE SHERWANI
The first rule of tradition is looking the part. And however modern you may be, it’s more than likely that your family will want to give you a traditional send off, complete with all the zardosi trimmings. And there’s nothing quite like a sherwani to make you feel every bit the prince

While you can look classy in a designer suit, why risk the stuffy image of the boardroom when you can don the preferred uniform of the Moghul nobility?

Our survey of menswear retailers found many grooms-to-be find the sherwani rather feminine. The long top and loose trousers do look like they belong in a girl’s wardrobe when you see them hanging up, but in all cases, the manliness comes out in the way it is fitted to suit the man in question.

It can create sharp, masculine lines where none exist while discreetly hiding a pronounced stomach. But because a wrong one can make you look fatter or shorter than you are, every retailer advises that you get properly fitted before you buy.

And with a bigger range of colours and innovative cuts being introduced to the market, choosing your perfect attire has never been more exciting.

Mani Kohli at Khubsoorat believes all grooms should wear a sherwani for their wedding day. She says: ‘The traditional wedding is the one day where people really get involved with their cultural heritage. It’s no longer fair to say there isn’t enough choice because we do a brilliant range of groomswear. Even if you don’t see anything you like, we can incorporate any ideas or designs you have to create the perfect sherwani. For instance if you don’t like a lot of embroidery, don’t be forced into wearing an outfit with heavy work because you’ll feel uncomfortable and this will show through on the day.’

And it’s not just about looking good for your sake – remember, you’re there to make the leading lady look all the more radiant. As a couple, you’ve probably never worn matching outfits before but this is the one occasion when it’s imperative that you complement each other in every way possible. There’s no better way to achieve this than by co-ordinating your outfits. It doesn’t mean you have to match your bride-to-be’s heavy embroidery down to a tee, but incorporating small touches instead. Mani explains: ‘If your bride is wearing lavender you don’t need to have a matching coloured sherwani. Instead you could have the inside lining reflecting the same colour or copy a tiny pattern of her embroidery around the borders.’

Although sherwanis are emblematic of tradition it doesn’t mean they can’t be styled in a versatile way. Grooms not comfortable with the whole traditional look can accessorise their sherwanis with formal western shoes and opt for virtually no embroidery, while grooms who desire a complete outfit can give themselves the full regal treatment with a vast range of turbans, mohjri and even ornamental knives.

But be prepared. The finest designer sherwanis are not cheap and can cost anywhere between £600 to £1,000. While women don’t mind spending lavish amounts of money on their wedding dress, some men resent having to spend lots of money on an outfit they’ll probably never wear again.

For most men, spending £1000 on a suit that doesn’t have an Armani tag borders on insanity, and if you count yourselves among them it’s worth looking at alternative options. More and more Asian designers are going down the Moss Bros-inspired suit rental hire route.

THE SUIT
There’s nothing that brings out the modern, sophisticated gentleman in you than a dashing three-piece suit. Matched with a pristine tailcoat and top hat, the tailored suit embodies a quintessentially  British style, evoking masculinity, purity and elegance.

Compared to traditional garb, suits are much more comfortable to move around in and are easily adaptable to the climate. If you should get hot under the collar, you can simply take off your jacket and waistcoat.