Last week I was in Goa (yeah the Miami of India, though I prefer quote it as Rio of India). Anyways the reason behind the trip was not a vacation or a manifesto to lure my clients but a close friend’s wedding. A man whom I considered as a partner in crime, someone with an eye for style and business, finally tied a knot. Happy for him, cheers!!! The events were full of zest, the location was fantabulous and the dress-code attires – a cherry on the cake.
These dress-code events are fancy and dangerous, especially when you are attending a destination wedding (with a limitation to carry-check in baggage), the nightmares are frightening. I came across many men there, who had problems deciding what exactly to pack to optimize the baggage rules and look stylish at the same time.
So in order to ease your efforts for the next trip you book, here’s few basics to remember.
A normal Indian wedding would have many functions, majorly scheduled in the midst of dusk and dark starting from a Ring Ceremony, Pool/ Beach/ Forest/ Barbecue party, Sangeet, Haldi, Wedding and lastly sealing the occasion with a Reception.
Ring Ceremony - Mainly a night event for destination weddings
Dress-code – Formals
Dilemmas for Men
What exactly would formals mean? Trousers and Shirts? Will a waist coat look over-dressed? Will a tie be apt? Suit? Traditional, oh no its formal event!
Recommendations from I am Mr.
If it is your friend’s wedding and not a brother’s, suits are a big no. Normally in dress-code events it will always be notified if you will have to wear a suit or tie. But when the invitation says “Formal” it means something that is usually:
Top:
A well-fitted dress shirt with a collar, a full-length opening at the front from collar to hem, full –sleeves (with cuffs). If a layering is needed a well stitched waist coast might be a good option.
Bottom:
A well-fitted tailored trousers, preferably pleat-less or single-pleat, having back pockets, usually stitched out of a wool/ semi-wool based fabric.
Footwear:
Leather - Dress shoes, usually black & polished, lace-ups or monk-straps.
Accessories:
A smart watch, a sleek leather belt with a classic buckle, cuff-links, a clean pair of socks and a hand-kerchief.
Style Tips:
Always make sure that for this event your trousers are dark (black, grey or navy) and your shirt complementing that color. Black on Black is an all time ice-breaker if your blacks are of same fabric-family but if you are someone who opts to break rules, you can try:
a grey trousers with a navy blue shirt and a bow-tie adding up with a brown/ tan colored shoes and a belt.
Key-Note:
In formal dress-code events, never keep your collars open. Button it and put a bow-tie on it, you won’t need anything else to catch those lonely wandering eyelashes. If at all you need layering try a waist-coat but make sure your outfit is not the same as the caterers there.
Pool/ Beach/ Forest/ Barbecue Party - Mainly an afternoon event
Dress-code – Smart Casuals
Dilemmas for Men
What exactly would smart-casual mean? Jeans and shirt? Will a Bermuda and sleevless tank look under-dressed? Will wearing slippers be apt?
Top:
A well-fitted casual-shirt or a tee shirt in the shade of white, light blue, baby-pink, yellow, orange, green.
Bottom:
A bold colored chinos or cotton shorts. Yes that’s it, no swim shorts, boardies or even fancy payjama.
Footwear:
If you are going to be around the splashing water avoid any kind of shoes. Go for trendy flip-flops with slip-resistant soles. But if your someone who prefers to stick at the bar or under the sun boat shoes and loafers will make you stand out.
Accessories:
A water-resistant watch, a fedora (type of hat), sunglasses, a scarf, bracelets, sun-block
Style Tips:
Always make sure that for this event your outfit is colorful but not in a way that makes you look a clown. Wear neutral shades with one part of the attire being of a bold solid color like red, green, orange or even yellow.
Always accessorize yourself in such events with a hat and sunglasses, make it lively and colorful.
Key-Note:
Smart-casuals unlike formals is a well-defined dress-code. All it focuses on is that one should dress to be fun and not look fun(ny).
Stay tuned about more events…
