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

The designer says 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. Photo courtesy: Manish Malhotra

Through major transitions in the fashion industry, the Indian wedding scene has witnessed a slight shift in focus from the bride's repertoire. While the Indian bridesmaid's 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 "creating the right impression through their sartorial choices" right from the pre-wedding festivities till the ‘I dos'.

In a conversation with Mid-day Online, Malhotra, the fashion guru for desi weddings gives a lowdown on the importance of the groomsman's wardrobe and ways to get the look right.

Embrace Indian wear
A groomsman's outfit need not only be a matter of convenience. So, when you start building your collection for the special day, "make sure to keep it ethnic because one can never go wrong with a classic sherwani and comfortable pants," 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 gemstones.

Groomsmen outfits from Manish Malhotra's bridal collection Nooraniyat. Photo: Manish Malhotra

For a more casual look, he says, "opt 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 too."

When shopping for the event he says, "Invest in timeless neutral pieces."

Day to night
While 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 event's formality is necessary, says Malhotra.

If you don't 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 tuxedo.

For 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 well.

Groomsmen outfits from Manish Malhotra's bridal collection Nooraniyat. Photo: Manish Malhotra

For formal affairs in cold evenings, go for an elevated look with dark suits, bandhgalas and sharp tuxedos. Accessorise with dressy shoes, well-fitted socks, ties and cuff-links. When you feel confident with the look, elevate it further with either a bow-tie or a pocket square.

Fit the bill
"If you want to avoid last minute emergencies," Malhotra says, "it is imperative to start the trials a month earlier." Many a time we are forced to go ahead with an ill-fitted outfit because we did not have time for alterations. Uneasiness due to size mix-ups 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 beginning.

Final thoughts
Malhotra says, "Groomsmen always take the easier path of wearing something common and comfortable" 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 anymore.

For a better understanding on how to get Indian wedding looks right, attend the online edition of Vogue India's Wedding Show 2022 on https://weddingshow.vogue.in/ where designers including Malhotra will be showcasing their styles.