I wouldn’t say I ‘know’ Sawai Padmanabh Singh. But our paths have crossed a few times—at one of the many fashion events hosted at his home, the City Palace in Jaipur, or through a laptop screen, where he has always been a curious and engaged interview subject, generous with his time and insights.
But you don’t really need to know the young royal and polo player to recognise his innate sense of style. Mulmul kurtas, block-printed shirts, achkans with bandhani safas, or head-to-toe white with handcrafted juttis: there is a touch of India in his wardrobe, even when he is jet-setting around the world. And the cue doesn’t come from a carefully curated, stylist-approved mood board. It’s simply the way he knows how to dress.
“I grew up around tailors, jewellers and craftspeople who could make the smallest detail feel significant. That ease with which the old and new come together has deeply influenced me,” says the titular maharaja of Jaipur. “It has never been a city afraid to make a statement. Its pink walls, brightly coloured safas, painted rooms and extraordinary jewellery all coexist effortlessly. It taught me that elegance can have colour, character and presence, while still feeling entirely personal.”
Following his summer shopping excursion to Bicester Village in the English countryside, Singh—or Pacho, as he is more widely known—gives Esquire India a peek into his suitcase and shopping bags—and the classics he keeps coming back to.
On his shopping MO
“I rarely shop with a very specific list. I usually know quite instinctively what I like when I see it, whether it is the cut or simply how a piece feels. I do look for good craftsmanship, the right fit and a sense of character—if it feels like something I will keep for years, I am usually convinced.”
On wearing India around the world
“This was never a deliberate decision; I simply kept returning to [staples from India] because they work for the way I live. A mulmul shirt can take me from polo to dinner, linen works almost everywhere, and juttis can be dressed up or down. Over time, I realised these were not traditional additions to my wardrobe, they were its foundation. I also often travel with a pachranga pocket square in the five colours of Jaipur's flag. It is a very simple piece, but it immediately makes whatever I am wearing feel connected to home.”
On cultivating taste in an age of sartorial sameness
“I think it helps not to dress for approval. We are all influenced to some extent by what we see online, but personal style should still reflect who you are. For me, taste is simply about knowing what I like and choosing accordingly.”
On his travel staples
“A farmer's shirt—it is the one thing I never travel without, accompanied by well-cut trousers, a lightweight jacket and a comfortable pair of sneakers.”
On his most recent indulgence
“I am always saving up for horses. That tends to be where most of my indulgent purchases lead.”
On his Bicester Village experience
“The sense of discovery is what made the visit stand out for me. I was curious to explore a variety of brands in one place and come across pieces I might not have found otherwise. I had the time to explore at my own pace, revisit familiar favourites and discover new brands and pieces that I may not necessarily have been looking for.
I enjoyed exploring the eyewear at David Clulow and fragrances at Creed. Both are very personal finishing touches that can completely change how one feels. And of course, being in the English countryside made the experience feel like a relaxed day out than simply moving from one store to another.”
On his top shopping advice
“Buy fewer pieces but choose distinctive ones that you genuinely connect with and can make your own. Look for pieces that pieces that actually earn their place in your wardrobe, rather than just filling it. For instance, I find this easy to do across The Bicester Collection—each Village brings together a range of brands, and you can take your time and be deliberate, even while discovering something unexpected.”