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With wedding season in full swing, men are going the traditional route and going beyond the predictable achkan or sherwani to designs that Indian royalty can enjoy. And the latest men’s fashion style is the age-old silhouette, called choga, which is being redefined by Indian designers. From re-ceremonial to Heena Kochhar, designers are breathing new life into this fabulous attire.
This stately silhouette became a prominent feature in the attire of Indian royalty and aristocrats during the Mughal period and the early 19th century. The robe is a loose-fitting, open garment originally worn as outerwear in Central Asia, Russia, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. It has a rich history intertwined with it.
“The robe is still a new take on menswear, but it has an old-world charm that people are slowly rediscovering. And honestly, just as women have already embraced heritage fashion, I’m now seeing men doing the same. They’re attracted to clothes that look a little bit dated, that feel meaningful, and that are still incredibly comfortable to wear. There’s a trend towards reviving the past through what we choose to wear. There’s this conscious effort, this thoughtfulness. And the choga, I think, becomes this easy entry point for men into this whole landscape of heritage dressing.
The robe was very similar to the tunic. But the main difference was that the robe was more lavish and more embroidered. It was mostly made of silk. Furthermore, the tunic was considered a part of the inner garment, while the robe was the outer garment.
“The royal attire is now being reimagined as a mix between a kurta and a kaftan. While women have been adopting this silhouette for a while now, men are also loving this design. The choga is a wedding-guest-appropriate outfit and is perfect for winter weddings too, when you opt for velvet attire,” suggests Ativ Anand, designer of Re-Ceremonials.
A pro-styling tip to keep in mind when styling a robe is to balance its volume. Wear slim bottoms or churidar to brighten up the choga. Stylist Isha Bhansali says, “You can wear a simple angrakha or long fitted kurta under your choga. Complete your look with embroidered juttis or fusion loafers in velvet or brocade for a regal touch.”
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