Versatile enough to be sported at a big fat Indian baraat and yet smart enough to be worn while soaking up the sun on the beach; the trusty dhoti pants have stood the test of time and sartorial fads. And, what better time than now – the wedding season – to take a sharp detour from the same ol’ and sport the simple yet statement making dhoti? If putting together a effortless but striking look is what’s on your mind, here are pointers to consider...
“Getting the length of your dhoti pants right is crucial in putting together a sharp look,” begins city designer Mayank Modi, who adds, “Your dhoti pants must end exactly at your ankle. Anything longer would hold up at the bottom, while anything shorter would appear odd.” While it isn’t cumbersome to find dhoti pants in myriad hues, stick to earthy and pale tones suggests fashion guru Prasad Bidapa.” Normally, Indian men shy away from loud, poppy shades. Colours like Ivory, cream and white are your best bet,” advises Prasad.
In keeping with the fact that dhoti pants can be worn and styled in various ways, it is important to be wise with your top wear options. “Dhoti pants are best paired under a sherwani drapped around with a nice dupatta or long stole. While you get dhoti pants in various fabrics, stick to richer fabrics like silk and satin to give the ensemble a luxe appeal. Pay attention to the drapes as that makes all the difference,” opines Prasad.
While outfit certainly takes the centre stage, and ensemble is never complete without the right pair of footwear. “The regal Peshawari look is very impressive. One of the most common bloopers to commit is to team dhoti plants with black formal shoes,” he suggests. Echoing similar lines, designer Ramesh Dembla adds, “I think pointy formal shoes are very trendy. Anything that’s not got to do with lace-up formals is cool.” Sharing an inside peek into colours that are trending this season, Mayank adds, “Dhoti pants are best suited for taller men, but men who on the shorter side can always sport the look keeping this hack in mind – always ensure the length of your top/ kurta/sherwani ends between your thighs and knees. Darker shades like maroon and green are also great choices for an illusion of an elongated look.”
