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Pink is no more girlie

It's no longer man in blue or black, for the hunk is willing to hit a purple patch, says ANUJ KUMAR

SPOT THE CHANGE Today's man knows as many shades on the colour spectrum as traditionally a woman does PHOTO: V. GANESAN

Five years ago, appearing for an interview in a lavender shirt would be considered hara-kiri; today it adds to the candidate's confidence and may be a few marks in his score sheet too. A few years earlier even Govinda's ardent fans would not have dared to wear pink on a date, today, it's a thumb rule for it supposedly brings forth a man's sensitive side to the beloved.

Yes, it's raining colours in the male's wardrobe and the reasoning goes from the earthy to the esoteric. Last year when an international magazine, Man's Health did a survey about colours in which women like their men the most, pink topped the list. Turning a few chapters in fashion history reveals colour has something to do with culture. Orange is considered to be loud in North America but in Japan, it denotes love and happiness. Pink is universally said to have a calming effect. Similarly, purple has its own connotations from death in Europe to brothels in West Asia. In India, white is considered to be serene and auspicious in the North East but in the North no bride and hardly any groom can dare to wear pure white on the wedding day.

Traditional twist

But in the globalised world, tradition has to ultimately take a walk. This past week, Marks & Spencer, traditionally known for their subtle colours, launched a vibrant summer collection.

"Pink and purple which used to be considered hi-fashion colours have now become classic," says Munish Rishi, merchandiser for Marks and Spencer in New Delhi. Munish says with the environment at the work place changing more and more men are getting adventurous. "Like a pink tie on a pink shirt makes you feel edgy. Solid colours are passé." From Friday dressing to smart dressing, concepts are in plenty and the bottom line is, formal has been the biggest casualty in the liberalised era. Jobs like in PR agencies, media and BPOs don't actually require you to dress like the babus of the yore. And the influence could be anybody - from your boss to a film star. Says Rajeev Choudhary, a senior PR executive, "I realised the importance of smart dressing when I saw my boss coming to office in jeans and T-shirt. Employers no more expect you to come to office in neutral colours seven days a week."

Blue to red

Rajeev says there was a time when his wardrobe was full of the shades of blue. "Now blue is there just in the form of denims." Indeed. Once blue was for men and red for women. Today, there is a colour reversal. Man knows as many shades on the colour spectrum as a woman does. Rashid Suhaib, a media executive who doesn't mind sporting from green to yellow, says, "The biggest thing these days in certain jobs is packaging and dressing is an essential ingredient. I want to get noticed and these colours really help. But one must have the confidence to carry them." And he is not conscious that these colours are considered girlie. Suhaib says he saw Aamir Khan in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak singing "Ae Mere Hamsafar" in a yellow shirt and this changed his perspective. Munish says film stars have always been the biggest influence. "These days Saif Ali Khan has become a sort of ambassador for pink. However, a colour has to work in society and work place to find acceptance. I have seen girls recommending colours traditionally considered to be girlie to their male friends."

Societal changes

If designer Raghavendra Rathore puts it to the mix of availability and societal changes, Rina Dhaka calls it a fashion cycle. Says Rathore, who is designing for a BPO, he is open to give his classic colours a twist. "The mills in India provide the largest bandwidth of colours. So the choice was always there and now there is demand as well. Too much colour is no longer attributed to the labour class," Rathore says. "With the NRI inflow and exposure colours have become niche."

Rathore analyses novelty is the buzzword. "It's no longer about brands or designer stuff. The BPO I am designing for categorically stated they don't want designer wear. Climate plays a key role in the country and things like lycra can't be used blindly. The fabric sticks and has to be used in the right proportion to work well."

Designer Rina Dhaka points out, "Pink has always been associated with classic English style. It had to come to India." Though wary of purple, Rina agrees that pink is complimentary with most skin tones but more than that she says, "guys look quite masculine" in baby pink provided they match it well. "I think fashion should not take out the male sense of dressing. I don't approve of using colours to make man look effeminate. Like you can go for a pink jeans with subtle wash but it has to be matched with a white shirt."

Munish agrees: "Otherwise things can go horribly wrong. You can't wear black trousers with a green shirt. It has to be a neutral shade or beige. A yellow could be highlighted with green embroidery." That's why brands are coming up with complete solutions, from shirts to sandals. Are you still in the blue mood?

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