Designer Ashish Soni urges men to play with colour, experiment more
A classic white shirt and a great black jacket are must-haves for Soni.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
Agencies
By Shashi Sunny
Designer Ashish Soni urges men to be bold with their sartorial choices, be it wearing colourful socks, velvet jackets, or a bowtie.
My wardrobe
“I love dandy dressing and experimenting with colour. I love suits, though the weather in Delhi doesn’t permit me to wear them round the year. But during the winter months and when I’m travelling abroad, I wear suits as much as possible. I even like wearing a tuxedo, though it was considered a waiter’s uniform in our country until recently. During the summer months, you will usually find me wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.”
The essentials
“Every well-dressed man should own the following: A classic white shirt, one that looks crisp yet is comfortable; denims that sit easy on you; a great black jacket; a fantastic pair of sneakers in whichever colour you fancy; and a T-shirt. Give me just these items, and I could live out of my suitcase for days.”
A dash of colour
“A really cool touch for men is a pair of colourful socks. You add these to whatever you are wearing and you get an element of zing. Most Indian men are shy of bright socks, but I would tell them to earnestly try it.”
“Attention to shoes is vital. You don’t have to have dozens of them, but pick 3-4 in classic styles. Sneakers are the rage currently, and the younger crowd has some good options. When choosing sneakers, go for a style that suits you. A good pair of shoes should make you forget you’re wearing it. I have three pairs: A classic brown, a custom-made black lace-up from Gucci, and mix leather sneakers from Louboutin.”
Down to a tie
“I believe ties should be as colourful as possible, a knit or a seven-fold tie. I am partial to the classic Windsor knot and don’t like small-knot ties.
“I also think a red tie is a powerful style statement, but just don’t go to a business meeting or to your boss’s room wearing one.”
Accessorise it right
“I am not personally excited by watches anymore, but a digitised smartwatch is the best accessory a man can have.
Suits and more
“My power suits would not be black. Instead go for a classic Oxford grey or a doublebreasted ink blue suit. “A bandhgala, especially in black, is your best bet for a wedding. I would also recommend an old-school, well-made achkan in white or navy blue. It’s sure to get you a second glance. “When you’re out partying with friends, I would suggest jeans and a jacket. A velvet jacket is something I personally love. Especially in the winters, it’s my go-to party wear. And it works in any colour, so you can experiment.”
“Thanks to social media, trends don’t stay for long. They last just a week before something else takes over. Sportswear was once just for comfort, but is all the rage now, and people have begun experimenting with it. It would be interesting to see how long this lasts.”
Do experiment with
“A bow tie. It sets a man apart, so don’t be shy. Just go for it.”.
Designer Ashish Soni urges men to be bold with their sartorial choices, be it wearing colourful socks, velvet jackets, or a bowtie.
My wardrobe
“I love dandy dressing and experimenting with colour. I love suits, though the weather in Delhi doesn’t permit me to wear them round the year. But during the winter months and when I’m travelling abroad, I wear suits as much as possible. I even like wearing a tuxedo, though it was considered a waiter’s uniform in our country until recently. During the summer months, you will usually find me wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.”
The essentials
“Every well-dressed man should own the following: A classic white shirt, one that looks crisp yet is comfortable; denims that sit easy on you; a great black jacket; a fantastic pair of sneakers in whichever colour you fancy; and a T-shirt. Give me just these items, and I could live out of my suitcase for days.”
A dash of colour
“A really cool touch for men is a pair of colourful socks. You add these to whatever you are wearing and you get an element of zing. Most Indian men are shy of bright socks, but I would tell them to earnestly try it.”
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Shoe talk“Attention to shoes is vital. You don’t have to have dozens of them, but pick 3-4 in classic styles. Sneakers are the rage currently, and the younger crowd has some good options. When choosing sneakers, go for a style that suits you. A good pair of shoes should make you forget you’re wearing it. I have three pairs: A classic brown, a custom-made black lace-up from Gucci, and mix leather sneakers from Louboutin.”
Down to a tie
“I believe ties should be as colourful as possible, a knit or a seven-fold tie. I am partial to the classic Windsor knot and don’t like small-knot ties.
“I also think a red tie is a powerful style statement, but just don’t go to a business meeting or to your boss’s room wearing one.”
Accessorise it right
“I am not personally excited by watches anymore, but a digitised smartwatch is the best accessory a man can have.
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“A medium-sized tote bag is a great buy. You need a bag to keep your laptop, travel case, wallet, etc., and I would suggest this bag over a briefcase.”Suits and more
“My power suits would not be black. Instead go for a classic Oxford grey or a doublebreasted ink blue suit. “A bandhgala, especially in black, is your best bet for a wedding. I would also recommend an old-school, well-made achkan in white or navy blue. It’s sure to get you a second glance. “When you’re out partying with friends, I would suggest jeans and a jacket. A velvet jacket is something I personally love. Especially in the winters, it’s my go-to party wear. And it works in any colour, so you can experiment.”
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Trend prediction“Thanks to social media, trends don’t stay for long. They last just a week before something else takes over. Sportswear was once just for comfort, but is all the rage now, and people have begun experimenting with it. It would be interesting to see how long this lasts.”
Do experiment with
“A bow tie. It sets a man apart, so don’t be shy. Just go for it.”.
Take some styling tips from Jeff Bezos, from left, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella.
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