Style
Men want more

Aakriti Sinha writes a fashion primer for guys who want to stay cool and look cooler

Shades: It’s a fashion statement more than just a cover for the eyes. Guys with gelled hair and cool shades can be seen everywhere. It need not necessarily be a Ray Ban, Dolce and Gabbana or Armani. There’s so much more than mere brands to choose from. You can have single-shaded, double-shaded, straight jacket, half jacket, full metal, polished glass, wraparound, metal-framed, polarised, motorcycle or biking glasses (did anyone say John Abraham?), colourful (mirror-lens) glasses. The list is quite staggering and there’s something to suit every colour and occasion.

Sunglasses are indispensable for any sort of outdoor activity, especially when it comes to guys. Whether you are hiking, fishing, backpacking, or biking, a quality set of sunglasses does many things, and not just for your looks. They protect your eyes from the sun’s harsh rays, dust from the roads and other particulates in the pollution-heavy city air. Also, they protect the entire eye area and the sensitive skin around there.

But shades have a utility value much beyond just the great outdoors. For many style icons, a pair of shades is just as mandatory indoors as they are for outdoors. So, don’t think too much if you see Zayed Khan sitting pretty at an award function with sexy shades on or John Abraham with a dark black, metal-framed pair on in a club.

Baggy jeans: The older generation may think it looks odd, but the fact is, it’s ‘in’. Baggy jeans are an essential part of the dress code for all aspiring Mick Jaggers, Eminems and modern Bob Marleys. Baggys are available in beige, black and denims and when teamed up with sleeveless T-shirts or loose shirts they look smashing. For guys with long hair or muscular bodies a pair of baggys and a tee is a must in the wardrobe. Just look at how it suits guys like Zayed Khan and Akshay Kumar. There are baggys galore to be found on Mumbai’s Fashion Street and central markets, but branded ones like Wills or Weekender do have an unmistakable finesse.

Belts: You need some support for those baggys, right? Gone are the days when belts were only worn on formals. Broad belts (both leather and non-leather) in amazing new fabrics are available. The centre of attraction here are the broad metallic buckles – the ones with bull faces, the ever-famous danger sign, different flags or with messages like ‘Bullseye’ and ‘Hawaiian Punch’ are very popular among the fashionable gangstas.

Head/wrist bands: Why don’t you check out the wristbands and headbands available? Wristbands sporting the Nike swoosh, Puma’s leaping puma logo and the Adidas symbol look hot. As for the headbands, there are categories of dri–fit bands and inline bands or you can go for simply Puma classic bandanas. Jai ho guru eminem ki.

Bags: This attire, teamed up with the latest cloth bags from Lacoste, makes a killer combination. Bags from Jansport, especially the collection of sports bags in cool blues and military prints are irresistible. Leather bags, though priced nicely (with too many zeros), add to the perfect cool guy look.

Besides this funky stuff, checks and stripes on shirts are all over the place. Best available at Provogue, Wills and Van Heusen. It’s the most relaxed and attractive attire for the pretty young and not so young working guy. So, after macho movies and style icon men like Zayed and John, (the Dhooms & Dus) grab the dus bahane to stay cool this summer. — MF

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