I often look at a newly married couple and wonder at the many visible symbols of her married state that the bride sports: sindoor, chooda, mangal-sootra etc. The groom looks no different from his pre-married state. The fact is that women in India are usually more traditionally dressed than men. We see modern India women in sarees and slawar-kameez all the time, but we rarely see modern Indian men in a dhoti, mundu, veshti, sherwani, kurta-pajama, pathani etc. except during weddings and festivals.
You know how Indian women look so graceful draped in those six yards of cloth? Guys, you look great in a dhoti and kurta too! And not just for some occasions; even as you lounge around the house, go to office and so on!
Traditional outfits for Indian men are usually comfy and airy; traditionally light coloured and perfect for hot weather. They are loosely draped and don’t cling to the legs as trousers do; much better suited to our hot and humid conditions.
Now I am not saying that every guy can carry off that shirt – and the turban – and the accessories. However that is a guy who looks excessively cool in that dhoti.
The jooties, the airy sandals, the Kolhapuri chappals… you cannot really wear all that with a three piece suit. You can with a dhoti!
An unbuttoned jacket shows off a toned chest and flat midriff, the drape of the dhoti hints at a muscular leg or two… you can show off if you like.
Traditional clothing hides a lot too! Notice how some of the guys in that picture have not the slightest hint of toned midriff, but they manage to look good! Whereas the shirt and trousers will betray the overhang of that beer belly, the graceful kurta or long shirt will hide a bunch of physical features you're not proud of.
There are plenty of options: various ways to tie the dhoti or the mundu or the veshti
In a sea of similar, generic pants and shirts, the elegant kurta or the smart pathani truly stands out!
Who says that white kurta-pajama with the waistcoat is only for politicians. It is objectively a cool, practical and really smart outfit.
While you can make your outfit simple and unfussy and look effortlessly classy you can dress it up as much as you want as well. The colours, fabrics, embroidery, embellishments, the accessories, the headgear… the options are endless! Now contrast this with the shirt-pant or even the suit… boring!
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