Ultimate Guide to Mens Ethnic Wear [10 Traditional Styles for Men Infographic]

Last Updated on 1 year by Maya Jayaram

“Do it RIGHT, Do it BIG and Do it with STYLE!”

Ranveer singh is the name that rings in our head when it comes to fashion in bollywood men for his verstile vogue statement. Not just party wear he pulls off the ethnic Sharwani more than anybody else in the town.

Just like women, men too, like to dress up! Wedding seasons or ethnic festivities (Diwali, Ethnic Day at office, Onam, name it all), men want to look classy and stylish, driving them to experiment with the different traditional and ethnic outfits, and browse through various styles and trends to create their unique style statement. They always want to pick out something than the usual ones.
With the Indian ethnic clothing scenario being very rich and elegant, men have so many different options to choose from, like Sherwanis, kurtas, jackets and more, be it for weddings, religious events or simple family get-togethers.

So here is comprehensive guide of the different types of ethnic and traditional dresses for men, from formal to casuals for different occasions or ceremonies in India.

Kurta Churidar

In the ethnic game, the kurta-churidar combo definitely has more fans than any other ethnic outfits among men. Apart from being extremely comfortable, it is easier to wear and style and hence is a popular choice among men.
The best part about a kurta churidar is that it is extremely versatile, from being your savior for an Ethnic day or Diwali celebrations at office to wearing it to your cousin’s Haldi ceremony!
Moreover, if you feel that your solid colored kurta is too bland and boring, you can easily pull on a printed jacket or use a elaborately decorated brooch and maybe a turban in a contrasting shade and Juti to complete the look.

Kurta Salwar

Just like the kurta churidar, the kurta salwar is another great combo that provides lot more comfort along with style. The salwar, being much more of a loose fit and a bit baggy, provides a totally different look. There are even Patiala kind of Salwars, as well as salwars with embroidered patterns or gold or contrasting borders to create a modern or contemporary look.

Sherwani

The groom’s favorite, the classic Sherwani! Usually worn for a grand affair, from simple ornate ones to Indo Western exquisite and designer wears, today, there are so many different varieties of sherwani, in myriad fabrics, that it has become difficult to choose one. Sherwanis, originated as the northern Indian dress for the Mughal royalty, have evolved to wedding wear for men in the modern day.
More so often, they come accompanied with a safa, churidar/dhoti pant styled bottoms as well as a dupatta.

Achkan Sherwani

A variant of the classic Sherwani, is the Achkan Sherwani, which is a perfect choice to make a style statement. It is a dapper and fashionable attire that can add jazz to your looks. It is one of the most popular choices in sherwani that anyone would love to wear on their wedding day to make it classic. This knee-length coat is more trimmed and fitted to give a compact masculine look. The main difference between sherwani and achkan lies in their length, fabric and the massive flare from the waist. The sherwani is little longer than the achkan and is more flared from the waist till the bottom.

Tip: If you are of a short stature, then Achkan is a good choice than the normal Sherwani that needs you to be slightly on the taller side to be able to carry off the flare and length.

Bandhgala or Jodhpuri Suit

Often referred to as the prince coat, a bandhgala has now become a must-have in every man’s wardrobe. It will lend you a sophisticated yet masculine look, be it for a wedding or a celebration dinner with family.
The ultimate benefit of owning a bandhgala is that it can flatter any body type and promises a royal look. To achieve the original look of a bandhgala, one needs to be extremely particular about getting the right cut and fit. It should always be like second skin. The length is ideally dictated by the body type.
Moreover, you can easily accessorize it with a brooch, pocket square or turban with kilangi.

Tip: As a general rule to follow, the length of the suit should end just at the root of the thumb while the arms rest against the body.

Pathani Suit

The Pathani suits are among the most stylish and popular mens ethnic clothing which can be worn on all occasions. This ethnic and elegant outfit exudes a sense of style and class. The traditional suits feature simple kurtas with front buttons and stand collars. However, the modern suits feature beautiful embellishments with stylish collars in so many different shades and fabrics.

Indo Western Outfits

An amalgamation of Indian and Western styles, resulted in a category of their own, popularly known as the Indo Western style outfits. They feature the usual ethnic attires with a western twist, like asymmetric or cowl hemlines, exquisite collar designs, printed long coats etc. They have become hugely popular in the recent times with more young men opting for these contemporary outfits.

Nehru Jackets

Named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, these mandarin collared vest jackets, are a trendy and one of the ‘must haves’ in a man’s closet.
Nehru jackets can easily compliment each and every look flawlessly and is capable of taking your traditional look to a whole new level. They can transform your outfit instantly and making you look ethnically fashionable.

Dhoti Pants

Always dreaded the dhoti falling off in the middle of a function or a wedding? With the introduction of dhoti pants, you can bid adieu to that fear. While you can just slip it on like any normal pants, it has the flare of a dhoti giving the illusion that you are actually wearing one. Available in so many different shades and fabrics, you can easily team it up with a bandhgala, kurta, Sherwani or Nehru jacket for a style that will surely make heads turn.

Tip: Choose in contrasting shades to the kurta.

Kerala Dhoti or Mundu

Kerala Dhoti or Mundu is a popular attire, in the regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Despite the considerable influence of Western dressing, mundu still garners all the love and attention among the men here. It is not just for ceremonial and customary purposes, but men find it easy and comfortable to wear it on a daily basis. No traditional occasion is complete in Kerala without wearing the mundu, that is usually doubled and draped around the waist.
Available in fabrics like khadi, silk, dupion and cotton, they come in shades like creme, ivory, off white,and white, with borders in gold, silver and other shades.

Men’s Ethnic wear Accessories

If you thought accessories were a women’s domain, then you are completely wrong. In fact, today, men have a number of accessories to choose from, that they are literally spoilt for choices.
Accessories are a game changer! They are capable of creating a huge impact on a man’s outfit and his sense of style. But having said that, you also need to exercise caution to ensure that you are not overdoing it.
So here are some of the top accessories that men could use to their advantage and elevate their ethnic look. So men, be ready to grab some attention!

Turban & Safa

Dupatta

Kilangi

Pocket Square

Jhuti

Brooch

With every passing day, more and more styles and trends are being introduced in men’s ethnic wear. Do you think we have missed out on something? Let us know through your comments.