Switch it up

As Daniel Craig recently demonstrated, vibrant colours are becoming a popular pick for men’s formalwear

British actor Daniel Craig’s fifth and final turn as James Bond in No Time To Die had people talking for more than the obvious reasons. Dressed in a hot pink velvet dinner jacket, which he paired with a black bow tie and crisp white shirt, he challenged popular notions about what constitutes contemporary formal menswear. “For the longest time, men would reach for black, navy or white tuxedos or jackets for formal events. Fortunately, that’s changing now and for the better, in my opinion. We’re living in a day and age when people are breaking rules and antiquated and gendered notions about apparel, and using their clothes to express themselves. In many ways, what we wear now is an extension of who we are,” says fashion designer Sanjana Bubber. Choosing a vibrant colour for formal dos can help you to stand out and create your own fashion ‘moments’ on social media.  

(From left) Tejeshwar Sandhu; Sanjana Bubber

Styling it right

When selecting bright colours for your formalwear, Bubber recommends choosing rich tones and fabrics. “Velvet or any other fabric that has a slight sheen can elevate the look. Contrary to popular opinion, wearing the same colour across your entire outfit — shirt, blazer, trousers and possibly your waistcoat and pocket square  can look more sophisticated than random splotches of colour. That’s because monotone looks are trending right now and that’s always a safe bet as far as vibrant colours go,” she explains. Another important consideration is the silhouette of your garment — stick to classics, such as a double-breasted peak lapel jacket, trenches or even a sherwani (as Tan France did, on the red carpet) so that the colour remains the focal point of your outfit. Retro fits are also in vogue and lend themselves well to bright colours, Bubber adds. 

Lil Nas rocking a neon suit at a music awards show

Play with contrasts

Fashion influencer Tejeshwar Sandhu often styles himself in softer, pastel tones while picking suits. “A dusty rose, for instance, when paired with a jacket with a knotted belt detail, stands out because of the contrast it creates,” he says. Bubber emphasises that colour isn’t the only way you can experiment with your formalwear.

“Metallics, whether in terms of your entire fabric or embellishments, are another cool way to make heads turn. For instance, a smart black blazer with gold embossed details works well when paired with a simple white shirt and black trousers. Another option is sticking to a muted colour palette with embroidered patterns. Finally, for those who dare, adventurous prints and neon colours make for an electric combination,” she adds. When wearing a statement jacket, make sure to keep your accessories simple and limit them to one or two pieces, such as a bowtie and a pocket square. “Don’t try to do too much all at once, or you run the risk of looking costume-y,” Bubber signs off.

Tan France wore an embellished sherwani on the red carpet

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