Fashionably feminine

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A model showcasing Arjun Saluja’s collection

Weird hairdos, glossy lips, rosy cheeks, winged eyeliner and skinny jeans — men are trying it all and aren’t even reluctant putting on a skirt.

Androgyny, which is all about collaborating women’s clothes and accessories with men’s clothes, is a recurrent theme in designer Arjun Saluja’s collection “Rishta”, and was much admired at the recently concluded WIFW.
“Androgyny has always been existent in our culture. Even the royal men used to wear lungis, headgears, kurtas with intricate embroidered designs teamed with skinny churidars. Only people who are confident with their identity and personality can sport an androgynous look. It is not restricted to only the urban elite. A farmer wearing a lungi could be as androgynous as an elite guy wearing skirted pants,” says Saluja.
Men are seen sporting accessories, mix and matching bright colours, investing in jewellery — in short, they’re doing everything that was once considered girly. “Designer Kallol Datta, who participated at WIFW, has made kohl-rimmed eyes, a nose ring and beard seem as much part of his look as flowy kaftans, nail paint and bangles. I think it’s good to carve out an image for oneself,” says designer Mayyur Girhotra.
Yatan Ahluwalia, image consultant and specialist on men’s style and grooming, believes there is nothing wrong with men wanting to dress up like women. He says, “It is a personal lifestyle choice that certain people make. This is not always an attempt to stand out in the crowd, but a way to express oneself. One needs to respect people for the choices they make. Society cannot dictate how someone should dress or behave.”
The look is big internationally. Designers like Rick Owens and Alexander Wang have succeeded in making male models walk on the ramp in draped T-shirts and high heels.
Artist Julius Macwan who has been spotted at public gatherings in floor-length skirts believes, “I am expressing myself all the time in everything I do. I try to wear what I’ll feel and look good in. I have been told I look amazing in skirts. I think very few men can.”
Sushant Divgikar, model and VJ at UTV Bindass, whose unabashed androgynous style may get a few tongues wagging, manages to be the highlight of the parties.
“Feathered headgear, bright yellow and pink and even hot pants, I love to wear it all. If only black, white and grey are the masculine shades, then Simi Garewal must be considered a man according to such a wacky notion,” jokes Sushant.
The trend is quite popular among the Delhi social circuit too. Art curator Himanshu Verma who is often seen adorning a sari says, “Men had started dressing up in a very boring fashion, so I thought of experimenting. I love to flaunt a sari, my way. To complete the look, I also wear bindi sometimes.” Another known face, the talented designer Sumant Jaikishan feels absolutely confident in full-length skirts or bright coloured unconventional pants.