There was a time in the not too distant past when the sherwani was considered an outfit worn only once in a lifetime, by a groom to his wedding ceremony. After that, it'd be relegated to the deepest, darkest recess of one's wardrobe, collecting dust as an ancient, outdated relic. At times the man who dressed up as a groom all those years ago would stumble upon said sherwani when searching for something in old closets; the memories of his wedding would come flooding back, making him nostalgic and reminisce about those days when his physique was lean and his head was full of hair! However, that scenario has completely changed these days.

A sherwani has become a wardrobe staple for fashionable young men who reach out for it on a semi-regular basis. Weddings and reception ceremonies require one to dress in a sherwani, and apart from that there are sundry celebrations. The sherwani as we knew it has come a long way. Gone are the days when they were made with stiff, starched fabrics with sharp collars that chafed the neck. Not to mention the shape and style of it has undergone major transformation as well.

Firstly, let's talk about cut and style. Sherwanis of yore had a bulky, heavy appearance owing to the traditional, wide silhouette. Newer cuts of sherwani are slightly tapered, slimmer in contrast. The lining is relatively less thick, which not only leads to a streamlined appearance, but is also universally flattering on all body shapes. Next, the choice of fabric is extensive. Brocade, silk, velvet -- you name it! There are all kinds of them from prints to embroidery to solids. While rich, opulent fabrics with heavy work and detailing are perfect for grooms, his entourage can settle for elegant, solid coloured ones with minimal detailing.  The colour palette is also rather extensive too. White, beige and light gold are perennial favorites, but bolder, richer colours such as maroon, navy, deep green, black, brown are all equally in fashion. 

Lastly, the style range is broad to say the least. The long, traditional, straight-cut sherwani worn with churidaars is always regal and dapper. It is a classic, timeless style that is forever in fashion and is a popular choice among grooms. Those who want to try something different can always opt for shorter sherwani styles that have an asymmetrical, bias-cut neckline and embroidery. This style can be worn with a dhooti-style shalwar as well as churidaars. Another classic is the all-black sherwani with a chest pocket. It is a great option for those who want to steer clear of something too colourful. When worn with a loose, white shalwar this is a fabulous option for everyone. In terms of details, the choices are endless. From heavy embroidery to bejeweled buttons to stonework, nowadays all is fair game as far as a sherwani is concerned! One can go all out or cut back on the bling; it really depends on personal choice. So whether you choose a blinged-out sherwani or a black one, make sure you are comfortable in it because only then will you truly shine!

Model: Farhan, Imran and Shuhat
Wardrobe: Almira
Styling: Sharukh Amin
Make-up: Ban Thai