Mens Style and Grooming by Yatan Ahluwalia: Style files

Main view decoding

Hair: Long and pulled back evenly. Sideburns that cut the cheeks to increase the length of the face.

eyebrow: Thick and bushy with deep eyes.

Face: Face fresh and clean shaved. We use Coffee Face Wash by Bombay Shaving Company to leave skin looking bright and fresh.

lip: Thin upper lip. We use a lip serum roll on from Bare Body Essentials to soften, repair, repair and moisturize lips.

Ethnic, modern & print shirts

How do you tell the difference between shirts?

There is a fine line between the three and the difference lies in the details: more specifically the collar cut (ethnic & casual shirts usually have round, Mandarin or longer collars whereas formal shirts have short and sharp collars with buttons down or turn up options), cuff styles ( formal shirts have clear sharp cuffs with double button fastening and slots for adding cufflinks, which is not suitable for casual or ethnicity), fit (most formal shirts have a slim or pointed fit, while casual ones have a relaxed or comfortable fit), options buttons (formal ones usually have high-quality transparent buttons that don’t stick out at the base of the shirt fabric) and embellishments (contrast colored threads or prints on casual shirts and lack of almost anything on formal shirts).

Style guide

1.Season: Full sleeve and half sleeve shirts are and are not limited to seasons.

2.body type: Men with bulging shoulders and broad chests wear half-sleeved shirts better than those who are slender or thin.

3.Combination: If you like wearing half-sleeved shirts, it’s a good idea to wear them over a contrasting full-sleeved t-shirt style top.

4.Silhouette: When wearing a casual shirt over a t-shirt (plain or printed), you can either button it up (partially) or leave your shirt open and fully detached.

5.Style: A semi-formal or stylish full-sleeved shirt can look casual if you unbutton the first few buttons, roll up your sleeves, and wear it with jeans or casual pants.

How to wear it?

Put in: When you tuck a shirt into a pair of jeans or pants, it’s a good idea to leave the hem flush with the underwear for a snug and crease-free fit. This will also prevent the shirt from gathering around the waist especially when you are sitting or doing activities.

Abandoned: If you don’t like tucking your shirt down you can always leave it as long as the hem of the shirt isn’t lower than your hips, anything longer won’t work as it tends to visually change your body proportions. In this case, shirts with a tapered round cut or slits on both sides are preferable to those without. This of course can only be done with a casual shirt in an informal setting.

My choice: A line of shirts by studio SajKe made from organic cotton and khadi fabric. Some styles have an authentic block printing technique, and the range comes in pastel floral colors. The t-shirt is very light and made with breathable material.

My choice: This color block shirt from Andamen is made with Egyptian Giza cotton and has a soft feel and a taller look. The Oxford weave pattern makes it comfortable and durable. This shirt is perfect for a casual smart day look or an evening event. Looks better on online zoom calls.

My choice: Unique rickshaw print half sleeve shirt in cotton by Souled Store. This particular shirt is all about a very vivid desi print and very comfortable on the body. It has a sharp, structured fit and can be tucked into any casual outfit but will look best when left out.

Accessories

Conventional watch & smartwatch

The fashion watch revolution started in the early 80’s and only became famous in the 90’s. These watches usually reflect current fashion trends and act as a means of personal expression. Anything goes with a fashion watch, and this allows for maximum creativity in its look, feel and design. In general, fashion watches are more affordable because they are often replaced to keep up with fashion trends and current trends.

My choice: Aaren Naturals Collection by Skagen. This timepiece is eco-friendly and sustainable as it uses leather alternatives such as Mulberry and Cork leather for the strap. The watch is available in four color variants and two sizes: 36mm and 40mm to fit a variety of wrists. This watch has a classic and vintage retro look and feel, which I personally love.

The first smartwatch was made in 1927 with mapping technology. Today, smartwatches are multifunctional and can be connected via Bluetooth to your phone and computer. Smart watches are and will always be changing, as technology evolves.

My choice: Fitbit Sense, the world’s most advanced health smartwatch, features innovative sensor and software technology with the world’s first electrodermal activity sensor (EDA) to help manage stress. It comes with advanced heart rate tracking technology and a skin temperature sensor on the wrist. Housed in a smart, precision-crafted swim-resistant body, this smartwatch offers everything you need to manage your physical and mental health. It looks super slick, feels light in the hand (even when dancing, doing intense sports or heavy-duty workouts) and a must-have for those of you who are conscious of your overall health.

Sports shoes & ankle length boots

If you enjoy running, soccer, golf, tennis, or basketball, be sure to wear footwear that has been specifically designed for the surface on which the sport is played. Sports-only footwear doesn’t give you a better grip, but it also increases your overall performance level. Sports shoes must be activity specific because each style is designed with the end use in mind.

My choice: The Gel Kayano 28 running shoe by Asics thanks to its low-profile heel structure that makes this shoe extremely comfortable. Running looks a lot lighter when you wear this pair. This pair delivers a subtle and supportive feel every step of the way. Available in two colours: electric red & black and a dark orange & sky blue combination.

Ankle-length sneakers

Ankle-length footwear has always been a hot commodity and for good reason: they are durable, versatile and will make you look taller and tougher. You have a choice of extendable straps (very modern) or buckles, zippers and metal strips (for an 80s look). I suggest you opt for a gloss finish over a matt finish.

My choice: The Phenom high-top leather sneaker from Escaro Royale features a cemented construction. This pair has an Italian rubber sole, French sheepskin lining and is made with rare Argentinean white crust leather. The super soft lace style has a zipper on the side, which gives them a trendy urban look. Just as perfect for nightclubs as for driving your evil machine.

Leather accessory cases & bags

A leather bag for storing watches, cufflinks and glasses is a must-have for the stylish man. Choose colors and textures based on your personal preferences, but always make sure they are both practical and functional.

My choice: If you collect accessories like me, then this clever cufflink bag from The Leather Story is a must have in your closet or wardrobe. The leather case has multiple compartments to house 16 cufflinks and allows you to take a glance and then choose a pair from your collection that suits the look or mood of the day. Available in smart navy blue or brown.

Bags have an inherent quality to reflect who you are. What you carry, always seen and noticed. Choose a bag that makes a strong yet functional style statement and fits all your needs. I suggest colors that match the dominant palette of your wardrobe. As a rule, your men’s bag should always match the belt and shoes you wear.

My choice: The Orion by Paul Adams is an unusual yet attractive camera-inspired messenger bag. Crafted from genuine Napa leather, this bag features a sleeve so you can easily fit your tablet in, with ample space for documents, an extra pocket to store your phone, and a looped zip pocket at the front. It features an adjustable long leather strap and one pocket on the back as well. The bag framed the handmade painting precisely so that it looked like a camera lens. It has a soft, water-resistant sheepskin finish and is UV coated for maximum durability.

The author is an image, style and grooming consultant and coach.

From HT Brunch, 18 July 2021

Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch

Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch