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Think pink, dudes

Men wearing pink? Why not indeed, ask trend trackers

AMBASSADOR FOR PINK Saif Ali Khan

Five years ago, appearing for an interview in a lavender shirt would have been be considered hara-kiri; today it adds to the candidate's confidence and may be a few marks on his score sheet too. A few years ago 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. Yes, it's raining colours in the male wardrobe and the reasoning goes from the earthy to the cryptic. Last year when an international magazine, Man's Health, did a survey on colours in which women like their men the most, pink topped the list. 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, a merchandiser for Marks and Spencer. 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 yore. And the influence could be anybody - from your boss to a film star.

Boss in Ts

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 longer expect you to come to office in neutral colours seven days a week." Rajeev says there was a time when his wardrobe was stacked with 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 greens and yellows, says, "The biggest thing these days in certain jobs is packaging and dressing. 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. 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 a society and work place to find acceptance. I have seen girls recommending colours traditionally considered to be girlie to their male friends."

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, "I am open to give 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. With the NRI inflow and exposure colours have become niche."

Rathore adds that 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 and fabrics like lycra can't be used blindly here. 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, she 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."

That's why brands are coming up with complete solutions, from shirts to sandals. Are you still in the blue mood?

ANUJ KUMAR

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