Sherwani guidelines for the groomsmen

A sharply cut suit is ever stylish and classic, but the sherwani is in a league of its own. Steeped in tradition and history, it embodies our culture and heritage like nothing else. Donning a sherwani immediately makes a man stand taller, adopt an elegant gait, and revel in his masculine grace.

A regal attire, the sherwani is a stylish south Asian rendition of the western jacket, but it is a lot more princely and sophisticated. Paired with churidar shalwar, it becomes traditional wear par excellence.

This classic attire has become an indispensable part of a stylish modern man's wardrobe. Up until a few years ago it was reserved for the wedding ceremony only. It used to be a shapeless garment and the fabric was a stiff, thick brocade that rendered the poor awkward groom uncomfortable and itchy, making the whole experience of getting married a horrid memory. Then it would collect dust in the deepest recesses of the groom's closet, never to see the light of day ever again!

That scenario has now changed a lot. Modern sherwanis have come a long way in terms of fit, construction, fabric and style. There are many variations of it, making it occasion-appropriate. As the wedding season is in full-force, many men out there need help picking a sherwani for weddings, and it can be quite the task.

This week Lifestyle has put together some guidelines that anyone can follow and make a sherwani his own!

Firstly, the occasion in question is important. A sherwani is an investment in many ways so picking the right one is crucial. If you have multiple weddings to attend this season then choosing a neutral colour is a good idea.

Black is a classic and is always occasion-appropriate. Other shades such as beige, cream and ivory are good options. Deeper shades such as brown, maroon and copper look regal. Experimental shades such navy blue, deep, dark green, and grey look cool and edgy if one can carry those off.

Speaking of colours, keep your skin tone in mind. Try on fabrics in good or sunlight to see if it's working for you. Picking the right fabric is very important as you want it to be rich, but not stiff. It should be fluid and movable.

In terms of embellishments, remember 'less is more.' Simple buttons, a little bit of piping on the collar and sleeve, and maybe a little bit of embroidery around the neck and sleeve is all one needs.

Give heavy embroidery and bling a miss; the idea is to be elegant and dapper, not like a soap opera actor!

The fit is all-important when it comes to modern sherwani. It is a good idea to pay a little extra and get your sherwani tailored from a place with good repute such as Ferdous, Bashir, etc. The modern silhouette calls for a slightly fitted, tapered sherwani with a churidar so custom tailoring is the way to go.

An important tip is to never upstage the groom in any possible way. It's his big day and your job is to make it a fabulous one for him.

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed