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PAGRI OR SAAFA (WEDDING TURBAN)
The pagri or wedding turban is an extremely majestic
accessory but a lot of guys may take much convincing
before they are seen sporting one on their big day!
If you're in love with your spiky hair style and wont
let anyone touch it, then it's unlikely that a pagri
is for you!
Pagris should always be individually and stylishly
draped to suit the shape of your head and complement
the shape of your face. They should never be an over
the counter purchase which is parked on your head
to make you look ridiculous. Common varieties of turbans
are those in simple bandhani designs and crushed fabric.
Do ensure that your pagri works with the rest of your
outfit, and dosnt look like something which you plonked
on your head as an after thought.
MOJHRIS
OR JHOOTIS
There are likely to be times on your wedding day where
you will have to remove your shoes and mojris are
the ideal slip on slip off option. Mojris are considered
as the royal ethnic footwear to go with traditional
Indian dressing like sherwanis and kurta pyjamas.
They come in a plethora of colours and designs, and
are normally hand crafted.
Choose mojris that match one of the dominant colours
in your outfit. A current trend is for mojris to be
designed with the same material as your khes or pagri
or can be custom embroidered with small motifs to
suit your tastes. You should ideally have a separate
pair of mojris for each outfit that you will be wearing.
If mojris are just not for you, Indian chappals in
a neutral shade are the ideal option. Don't make the
mistake of wearing western shoes with traditional
ethnic clothes - its like putting ketchup on biryani!
COLOURS
& STYLING
Before you unleash your credit card on the boutiques
in Ealing Road and Green Street, it's a good idea
to do some research. Browse through design books and
magazines and surf the net to get an idea of the styles
and colours, which appeal to you. By gaining an insight
into the variety of outfits on offer, you'll be making
an informed choice and will ensure that you buy a
fabulous outfit, second to none that has your name
written all over it.
Today it is perfectly acceptable for a man to flaunt
colour. The wonderful thing about ethnic clothes is
that they give you the chance to experiment with colours
that previously have not entered your wardrobe. The
final choice will depend on your personal taste and
what you feel comfortable wearing, though you should
take the following into account.
Your skin tone should be a deciding factor in choosing
the colour of your outfits. Generally speaking, if
you are fair, darker deeper colours will suit you
very well. Guys with a wheatish or dark complexion
should opt for creams, whites and beiges or vibrant
colours to offset their skin tone.
The type of event that you are choosing the outfit
for is also an important factor to take into account.
For pre-wedding functions like Sangeets, Mehndis and
Sanjis you should go for an ethnic look to match the
theme of the occasion. A kurta pyjama in bright vibrant
colours like blues, maroon, deep green or rust with
tasteful embroidery and a matching waistcoat or snazzy
bandhani duppatta will be right on the mark. Kurtas
with ornate Jamevar work are also very popular this
season.
Colours chosen for the wedding ceremony tend to be
more traditional with most grooms sticking to some
combination of cream, beige, ivory, gold, maroon and
red, with rich traditional embroidery. A maroon kurta
with white pyjamas and a long sleeved embroidered
white overcoat will look stunning. Accessorise this
with a maroon khes shot with gold thread and you can't
go wrong.
For receptions, blacks, in particular black Sherwanis
and Jodhpuri suits are still a hot favourite, though
deep rust, navy blues, bottle greens and deep mauves
are also making an appearance. A back outfit with
tasteful embroidery using swarovski crystals and a
matching khes in black crushed material will look
simply stunning.
Whatever colours you choose, always consult with your
bride to see that your outfit meets with her approval.
The last thing you want to do is to start your married
life committing the unforgivable crime of wearing
an outfit that draws more attention to you than your
bride! Ensure that the colours and style you are wearing
for each function will complement her clothes and
the theme of your wedding (if you have one). You may
even want to match your outfit colours exactly for
that coordinated look!
SIZE
MATTERS!
No matter how good the outfit looks on a model in
a magazine or on a mannequin in a shop, it doesn't
guarantee that it will look as good on you. You need
to make an honest assessment of your body shape and
take this into account when choosing your outfit,
to make sure that you show up on your big day in an
outfit that makes you look your best.
Men who are short in stature should wear clothes,
which add some height to their frame. Well cut Sherwanis
& Kurtas which are below knee length will give
you a taller look. Keep embroidery to a minimum, just
around the neck and down the front of the outfit.
Drape a long khes around your neck and wear a pagri
on your head to add some height to your frame.
Very tall guys or those who are noticeably taller
than their brides should not over emphasise their
height but use it to their best advantage. Grooms
who carry their height above the waist should opt
for shorter Sherwanis
or Kurtas, which are heavily embroidered. Conversely
guys with long legs should go for long Sherwanis
and Kurtas and stay away from tight fitting churidar
bottoms. If possible, avoid wearing a pagri as this
will only add to your height.
Guys with a broad well-built upper body but with a
narrow waist and slim legs should go for a shorter
Kurta or Sherwani length, no longer than the knee,
thereby giving the impression of longer legs and a
more streamlined figure. You should be careful to
avoid Kurtas, Sherwanis and Jackets with excessive
embroidery as these will draw attention to the upper
half of your body and re-enforce your top heaviness.
If you choose to wear a Dupatta, it should be draped
over one shoulder to add balance to your stature.
Skinny guys with a very lean build need an outfit
that provides some bulk and shape to their body and
gives them a more manly frame. Choose an outfit that
is well cut but which doesn't cling to your body.
The idea is that you want to add the appearance of
more weight to your frame. A top with lots of embroidery
will make you appear broader than you actually are
and wearing a dupatta over one shoulder and draping
it over the other arm will also give the impression
of a more masculine build.
Gents who are "well rounded" or have got
a bit of excess girth should choose clothes that are
well tailored but hang loosely on the body to give
it some shape and take attention away from their beer
bellies! Try and go for embroidery or prints, which
runs in lines down the outfit, which will give the
impression of a slimmer body. A dupatta worn around
the shoulders or draped elegantly around the neck
will also add height to your frame.
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