Tag: formalwear

Sleeve style: Make formalwear fun to wear with carefully-picked cufflinks

As most men would know, men’s formalwear has stood the test of time and changing fashion trends to remain a truly classic, timeless piece of clothing. But while wearing a suit never fails to get a nod of approval, some may say wearing formalwear is ‘playing it safe’, as it seldom leaves any room for experimentation. In fact, it is only the tiny cufflinks adorning the sleeves that give us any clue as to the wearer’s unique personality.    

Tateossian’s designs will appeal to the mechanical-minded man

However, cufflinks are not a recent trend. Far from it, actually. Originating in the 16th century, the first makeshift cufflinks were actually strings that were used to tie the sleeve ends in place. It was only when French King Louis XIV ascended the throne in 1643 that these functional items evolved as status symbols, with the nobler classes wearing bejewelled versions to show off their wealth and power.

Dior’s teddy bear cufflinks add a dash of cute to an outfit

Centuries later, cufflinks have shifted from being status symbols to fashion statements, adding a dash of individuality to an otherwise strict dress code. In fact choosing the right cufflink can not only add a touch of uniqueness to your suit, it can also add oodles of charm to your outfit.

Burberry’s signature check pattern will keep things classy

Gentlemen who prefer to keep things classic can choose time-honoured patterns like Burberry’s popular ‘House Check’, the very same print that is found on the underside of its famous trench coats. Those who like to shake things up a bit, however, may opt for something a bit more outré, like Prada’s futuristic robot motif or Tateossian’s mechanical designs.

Prada’s robot motif can lend a bit of futuristic fashion to your suit

Meanwhile, car lovers can wear their heart on their sleeves with Paul Smith’s racing car cufflinks, while those who want to evoke their youthful side may choose Dior’s Teddy Bear cufflinks that were re-introduced to celebrate the brand’s 70th anniversary.

Paul Smith’s racing cars are for speed lovers

Whatever your choice, there’s a cufflink for every mood and occasion – one that is sure to make your formalwear much more fun to wear.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Knotty affair: How bow ties became the most indispensible accessory in a man’s wardrobe

What do Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra and James Bond have in common? Yeah, you guessed it right – bow ties, of course!

Bow tie
Winston Churchill was seldom seen without his trademark bow tie

Ever wondered how this jaunty piece of clothing came into existence? Apparently, the tradition of wearing a knotted piece of fabric around the neck dates back to the 17th century, when Croatian soldiers wore these unique neckties during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), as good luck charms for the battle. The French soldiers picked it up soon after, from where the humble piece of clothing travelled to the upper echelons of society becoming the latest haute item of men’s attire in the early 1700s.  

From France through the royal corridors of England’s elite, the bow tie crossed the Atlantic in October 1886 when Pierre Lorillard V – American tycoon and, evidently, fashion influencer – designed a unique style of formalwear and wore it to a ball at the local Tuxedo Club. His ‘black bow tie with black tuxedo’ look became such an instant hit that it quickly replaced the tailcoat and white bow tie as the primary formal attire for men – a trend that continues to this day!

Bow tie
James Bond, from the time of Connery to Craig, sports the dapper bow tie

Fast-forward a few years and we see the bow tie co-opted on silver screen by the likes of iconic heroes like Humphrey Bogart, Sean Connery, etc. However, it is British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose penchant for bow ties – apparently inherited from his father – immortalised this neck accessory for years to come!

But bow ties of this day and age are a far cry from the stiff, formal affairs of yesteryears! Of course, it is still the go-to accessory for a gala night, a formal dinner or an awards ceremony! After all, you can’t really go wrong in a tuxedo and bow tie! But to a modern gentleman looking for creativity, the bow tie can morph into something so much more than a formal accessory – it can be quirky, bold, fun, individualistic, all the while lending an air of cool suaveness. Topping our list of such men is Hollywood A-lister Robert Downey Jr who turned heads in a turquoise bow tie at an awards night. Another celebrity, Jared Leto, upped the fun quotient even higher when he wore a red carnation bow tie at the Oscars 2016.

bow tie
Being cool comes naturally to Robert Downey Jr, a bow tie does help once in a while

Women too seem to have discovered just how versatile this small piece of fabric can be, with the likes of Ellen De Generes, Kim Kardashian and Salma Hayek all sporting different trends on numerous occasions.

Passing fad, did you say? We think not! Bow ties seem rather neatly tied with the rite of passage in fashion corridors to fade into oblivion just yet!

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay