These Are The Season's Breakout Evening Jackets

Achkans and bandhgalas might work for sangeets and pheras, but a wedding reception or a red carpet affair calls for a sharp evening jacket with the potential to out-tux everyone else in the room.

Picture Daniel Craig making an entrance in Casino Royale (2006) in a classic black tuxedo featuring simple details like single button fastening, silk peak lapels, silk jetted pockets, and no vents. Another noteworthy look which comes to mind is of Tom Cruise's midnight blue dinner suit in Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol (2011). A gentleman never tries too hard. All he needs is some impeccable tailoring and confidence to take charge at any given opportunity.

Over the years, men's evening wear has come a long way - from being minimal and plain to being overly ornate and often whimsical. Globally, the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Haider Ackermann, Dries Van Noten, Balmain and Alessandro Michele have exemplified the power of statement making evening wear in the menswear space. We've definitely come a long way from the uninspiring basic tuxedos era of the nineties. Today's new-age dresser doesn't shy away from sporting look-at-me embroideries and details like sequins and feathers.

Not long ago, our very own Manish Malhotra dressed Moroccan-American rapper French Montana in a custom-made acrylic mosaic shimmer ombre jacket. The designer believes that the right evening jacket should say something about you before you even speak. "If you’re someone who enjoys glamour, an embellished jacket or tuxedo can be so powerful because it’s about celebration and it catches the eye. For me, a well-tailored fit is everything. The moment a jacket sits well on your body, you can feel the difference because it becomes less about clothes and more about personality," he says.

French Montana in a custom Manish Malhotra jacketInstagram/Manish Malhotra

As far as a beaded jacket is concerned, the designer believes that less is more regarding everything else. " Let the embroidery or beading be the hero, and that should be accentuated with textures, whether it be the weave of the shirt, the cut of the trousers, or maybe an accent like a collar pin or a statement brooch," he adds. A tuxedo, on the other hand, leaves room for play in a different manner. The designer is a sucker for bringing in personality through menswear brooches or even just the way the shirt is styled. "For me, eveningwear should always feel polished but also deeply personal. It really should look like it belongs to you," he notes.

The likes of Ayushmann Khurrana, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Ahan Shetty and Pulkit Samrat have all sported some version of an evening-appropriate beaded jacket. The recently-concluded FDCI-led Indian Couture Week too trained its focus on men's evening wear with Shantnu Nikhil paving the way for bold and unapologetic evening wear in their collection titled, Metropolis. Also worth mentioning is Sahil Kochhar's latest menswear collection, Mohar featuring an array of ceremonial blazers appliqued with his signature bloom embroidery.

Ranveer Singh wearing Rohit Gandhi + Rahul KhannaInstagram/Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna

Designer Kunal Anil Tanna suggests investing in timeless evening wear that ages like fine wine. "For dinner jackets, deeper tones such as charcoal, navy, deep burgundy, or marine blue are enduring classics that never go out of style. A well-tailored jacket in a plush fabric is a wardrobe essential, it works across occasions, pairs effortlessly with trousers or ties, and when styled with a crisp white shirt and black trousers, it exudes understated elegance. While these may sit at the higher end of the spectrum, they are smart investments that stand the test of both trends and time," he says. Moreover, accessories are having a moment, and men are embracing statement pieces more than ever. "While brooches in various styles are popular, I believe lapel pins paired with a pocket square remain the ultimate classic. To achieve effortless elegance, keep the pocket square subtle... ideally in the same tone as the jacket, and let the lapel pin be minimalist and chic. If the brooch is more ornate, balance it with structured, understated styling. The key is to avoid going flamboyant; refined and classy always makes the strongest impression," he adds. An evening jacket or tuxedo is not just a garment, it's an extension of one's personality. When investing, look beyond trends and focus on pieces that resonate with your natural style. Designer Sarab Khanijou notes that if one's bold enough then embellished dinner jackets with texture or hand-beading can make a strong statement. "If you lean toward understated elegance, a sleek, well-cut tuxedo in classic black or deep jewel tones will carry timeless appeal. The fit, fabric, and finish are paramount; they should complement your frame and feel effortless to wear," he quips. For ceremonial occasions and red-carpet moments, balance is key. "Let a beaded or embellished jacket take center stage by pairing it with solid-toned shirts and trousers to avoid visual clutter. A crisp white shirt, patent leather shoes, and a discreet bow tie or brooch can elevate the look without overpowering it. With tuxedos, experiment with subtle accessories - a silk cummerbund, a velvet bow tie, or a metallic lapel pin to inject personality. The goal is refinement with individuality, so you command attention without looking forced,” he adds.

Here are our picks of some striking evening jackets you must invest in for the upcoming party season.

For the maximalist party goer

This Manish Malhotra acrylic mosaic shimmer ombre jacket spells quintessential dandy

Instagram/Manish Malhotra

Embrace Quiet Elegance

This shawl collared velvet jacket by Kunal Anil Tanna embodies understated elegance

Be a Cape Crusader

This sharply tailored cape blazer by Siddartha Tytler is meant for the daring dresser

Out-Tux Them All

Sarab Khanijou's bold tux with placement-oriented embroidery epitomises cocktail hour

Old School Dandy

This metallic striped evening jacket by Shantnu Nikhil takes one back to Edwardian-era elegance

Va Va Bloom

Sahil Kochhar's bloom-appliqued jackets are for the new-age romantics