PM Narendra Modi has become the unlikely arbiter of a fashion fad waistcoats
Dhanush rocks the waistcoat look
Who would have thought that our Prime Minister would become an unexpected brand ambassador of a rising fashion fad today. Inspiring speeches and social networking fame aside, Narendra Modi has revived the bandhgala-style waistcoat or the Nehru jacket, as it was popularly known, and given a whole new twist to the garment for the urbanite. Entrepreneur and freelance model Alagiri Samy says that he’d often flaunt a fun bandi with jeans, leaving friends wondering about his quirky style.
“What’s cool about our Prime Minister advocating this look is that the bandi is an Indian version of the suit hip and ethnic. It’s become a staple part of his identity now, and he takes care to actually match his waistcoats with his kurtas, which is awesome. And it needn’t necessarily be always formal or semi-formal; there are casual waistcoats as well of different fabrics and styles that can even be used to give a rugged look,” he says.
Even Chinese president Xi Jinping decided to jump onto the bandwagon of the ‘Modi look’ when he visited the Sabarmati ashram recently: what he was wearing was presented to him by our Prime Minister.“We have been getting many requests now even though the humble bandi has been around forever the PM has reinvigorated interest in it! A lot of customers want to be styled like him; with different permutations and combinations of course, as it’s can be used to reinvent any wardrobe. It gives that quintessential look you need for any occasion,” says designer Vivek Karunakaran.
Lots of actors sport the look nowadays most noticeably, Dhanush, on an episode of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa when his swanky coal-grey waistcoat drew admiring looks, not least from fashionista Sonam Kapoor herself! Fashion choreographer Karun Raman points out that it can be used outside formal occasions too. “A sit-down dinner or a casual hangout with friends; it’s an absolute style statement. As far as colours go, dark blue would be perfect for this season. Our PM is extremely stylish in whatever he does; and now in fashion too!”
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