Not boring, not weird, just festive: Fashion tips for men

Its festive season and nothing beats a man clad in traditional Indian attire -- try wearing a vibrant kurta while pandal-hopping and you will see how the gazes keep coming back. So gentlemen, get ready, Durga Puja fashion tips coming your way: from what kind of kurtas to wear to what pants are in.

Its festive season and nothing beats a man clad in traditional Indian attire -- try wearing a vibrant kurta while pandal-hopping and you will see how the gazes keep coming back.

“Pujas are a great time to embrace something ethnic. Kurtas or sherwanis in warm colours like browns and greens are perfect for a festive look,” says menswear designer Sharbari Dutta.

Photos courtesy: Tarun Tahiliani (left) and Sharbari Dutta

So gentlemen, a quick pick to make you look Puja-ready is an embroidered kurta pyajama -- comfy and easy to carry off. But for a rich sophisticated look, flaunt a sherwani instead. And to highlight your brawns simply throw on a bright dupatta or stole over your shoulders.

"To give your festive wardrobe a contemporary twist, try a suit jacket with dhoti pants, teamed with nice brogues. Or take your ethnic look a notch higher by teaming a long or even short kurta with a well-fitted jacket; wear denims for a casual look," says Dutta.

“The rule is simple: focus on mixing. Wear Nehru jacket with a shirt and trouser or a badhgala with a dhoti or jodhpurs to add a modern touch to traditional clothing,” she adds.

This is also the time to flaunt that silk stole in your wardrobe: team it with a sleeveless jacket or shirt, jodhpurs and matching juttis. A gleaming pair of cufflinks or a slightly more ethnic brooch, kamar bandh or pearl necklace can add the right amount of bling to your ethnic attire.

Oh and don’t forget your shades just in case the fiery looks get too hot to handle!

But in case traditional Indian wear scares you or just doesn't excite you enough, there are many other options to try before you reach out for that good old white shirt-blue jeans ensemble.

Coloured pants are still very in and remain the trend to beat this season (yes, you read that right!). They're everywhere -- on the streets, in the malls and even on the campus. If you ain’t sporting this look already, leave your blacks and greys behind and start playing with some colour this Puja.

“Men are experimenting with coloured jeans and pants. Bright green, maroon or rust pants are anything but boring,” says designer Abhishek Dutta.

But should you feel like a clown in coloured pants, then you can tame down and try different shades of whites, blues and browns and throw on a printed stole or wear some fancy shoes.

If you find this look too hard to pull off, then invest in some versatile trousers that compliment the colour and pattern. Try colours like light grey, plum or chocolate to stand out.

“Printed, graphic and draped pants are quite trendy. Pair these with laptop bags, stylish belts or other accessories, and you get a look that’s quite high fashion and metrosexual,” says Dutta.

But remember, you can’t go from black pants to orange in a day. So don't go overboard if you aren't up for it.