Forgotten Pieces From Indian Men’s Fashion That Must Be Brought Back

Somewhere between anglicisation and global trends, Indian menswear shifted from instinctive to a rather imposed look. We pushed them into a box of ‘traditional wear’, only to be considered for certain functions or festivals, and never gave them the space they deserved in our daily wardrobe. What we once wore was curated to our needs and culture; now it just feels borrowed and disconnected.

Forgotten Indian Men’s Fashion Pieces

Here are some pieces that should probably make a comeback into our daily conversations.

Angarkha

Fluid, layered, and tied—not buttoned. The angarakha is one of those pieces that feels elaborate at first, but really isn't. Instead of rigid seams, it wraps around the body naturally, creating a silhouette that adjusts according to you. Although uncommon in the wardrobe of today’s urban man, this is a functional garment that can act both as a simple layer or a decorative piece. You can pair it with churidars or straight pants for the need of structure, or let it flow with looser bottoms for a more relaxed feel.

Bandhgala

We need to bring back the bandhgala. It’s already in, but not in enough. It shouldn’t just live at weddings or traditional functions; it belongs in everyday chic, relaxed formals, and those strict corporate settings bound by blazers in the sweltering heat. It almost feels redundant now, wearing three-piece suits in a climate that never asked for them. The bandhgala is a far more considered answer to short blazers and those overdone coats. Clean and structured, it does everything a blazer does, but better. Indian men just need to start wearing it as they mean it.

Sadri

The Indian waistcoat. When you think of a sadri, you think of the khadi waistcoat, the Nehru jacket, a political statement rather than a fashion choice. But this perception is only one part of the story. The sadri is actually a traditional sleeveless jacket worn for centuries across our country and adorned with embroidery. It works just as easily over a kurta as it does over a shirt or even styled casually with denim. Times have evolved, and so have fashion choices, and I think it’s high time we add them to our closets now.

Jodhpurs

Much ado about the upper vastrams, let’s get talking about pants. Not the snug fit, straight-tailored ones, but a creation that was born out of necessity and still bore a silhouette that was no less than a fashion statement in itself. Jodhpurs, an equestrian utility uniform, when styled with thought and carried with confidence, can set you apart from the crowd almost immediately. Jodhpurs are one of those pieces that quietly slipped out of the everyday wardrobe, even though they were born right here.

A monotone suit with jodhpurs instead of straight pants will instantly help shift the silhouette.  With a bandhgala, they almost fall back into place, a natural pairing that doesn’t need much thinking. For your everyday, get a not-so-exaggerated pair and wear it with a crisp shirt, rolled up sleeves and a leather belt.

Kamarbandh

The kamarbandh was once a beautiful addition, an ornamental touch to a simple look, whilst not forgetting utility and the need to add shape to a silhouette's form. It could just bind the whole look together (pun very much intended). The colonial adaptations turned it into the cummerbund, becoming a staple in European formals, but disappearing from our everyday wardrobes altogether.

Treat the kamarbandh like a belt but with more personality. Wrap it over a shirt and trousers to break a basic look, throw it over a blazer to add shape without stiffness. Or better yet, wear it with a simple, breezy kurta and give in to the whole ethnic look. Keep it subtle and let it move with you.

Dhoti

You and I both know a dhoti isn’t something we have forgotten, but we choose to ignore it nonetheless. Look at the heat, the ill-fitted trousers and the shorts that you cannot obviously wear to formal meetings. It is time to bring back the dhoti into our regular clothing cycle. They’re light, soft, and airy enough that you don’t feel the heat sitting on your legs.

Styling them is easier than the drape. Pair the dhoti with a crisp shirt or a short kurta to keep things clean and balanced. Stick to neutral colours and simple layers. And if a self-draped dhoti feels too confusing, there are innumerable dhoti pants in the market that can do the trick just fine or even better.