For traditional celebrations, Indian men have always trusted their pair of kurta pyjama. While for a long time, the timeless kurta set was worn unquestionably, now it is not the case. In today’s times, there are many types of Indian clothes for men that can be worn for various occasions. Besides this, men’s fashion has seen a creative boom as many designers have brought their interpretation of men’s Indian outfits. Because of these factors, there are many fashionable options that men have to dress up for joyous occasions. From the classic kurta sets to must-have sherwanis to trending fusion attires, we have curated a list of Indian dresses for men that need to be there in any man’s ethnic wear closet. Without further delay, let us understand them all. 

Kurta Pyjama 

As mentioned previously, this traditional Indian mens clothing has always been trusted by men when they need to attend a festive function. This is because the kurta pyjama set is known to feel comfortable and make a man look utterly handsome. A green kurta with golden yellow pyjama is great as these bright colors are considered auspicious for festivals. Pick a set with an intricate embroidery patch on the front and the sleeve cuffs. You may also go for a monochrome royal blue kurta pyjama for a more understated look. Golden pointed juttis can be paired with either of the ethnic sets. 

Dhoti Kurta 

While festivals demand a certain level of glamour, religious occasions require a more traditionally authentic look. For events such as religious ceremonies and temple visits, lightweight but stylish dhoti kurta sets are ideal. To dress up for a close-knit event, solid-colored viscose dhoti kurta sets with hues like dark blue, yellow and olive green can be opted for. If the event is grand, red or orange banarasi silk dhoti kurta sets are highly recommended as they have zari woven motifs on the kurtas that give them much-needed opulence. A pair of neutral mojaris can give this Indian dress for men a hint of ethnic sophistication.

Short Kurta 

While knee-length kurtas have always been popular and come in a wide variety, short kurtas are also an ethnic topwear you can experiment with. Typical short kurtas have the length of a shirt and a relaxed appearance. These kurtas are made of fabrics such as cotton, cotton blends, linen and rayon which makes them easy to wear for long hours. As these kurtas are casual, they are adorned with striking prints rather than heavy embroidery. Floral or ethnic-printed short kurtas can be worn at family gatherings or festive parties. Well-tailored jeans can look very flattering on these short kurtas. You can pick dark-washed jeans on light-colored kurtas and vice versa. But if it is an office daytime event, geometric print short kurtas are perfect as they give a laid back yet put-together look. The formal pants that can be worn with these kurtas are cotton or linen trousers. Select neutral colors such as white, beige and fawn as they can balance the prints of the topwear. Some of the footwear options include brogues, moccasins and mojaris. 

Sherwani

This topwear has always remained in fashion and popular amongst men. This long and structured coat goes back a long way in fashion history as Indian royal members wore it. Therefore, it is no surprise that this Indian men's clothing is great for getting a regal look. Plain and solid-colored jodhpuri sherwanis made of viscose or polyester can be worn on engagement. Pick the jodhpuri in hues like dark blue or black for the occasion. Shiny black brogues can be paired with your jodhpuri. Silk sherwanis with intricate embroideries and striking embellishments are the ones that can be worn for the wedding day. Dark red, champagne gold and ivory are the classic choices for the d-day sherwanis. Select metallic juttis to wear with the sherwani as they match the splendour of the sherwani. 

Achkan Sherwani 

This traditional Indian mens clothing has historical roots that run parallel with the angarkha and is often compared with the sherwani. Also known as baghal bandi, achkan sherwani is a well-known knee-length jacket worn by men throughout the Indian subcontinent. Achkan traditionally featured side openings with strings rather than front openings like a sherwani. But in today’s times, they have the front opening but with a few buttons at the neckline as a closure. 

Achkan has a trimmed and lengthier silhouette than the flared sherwani, giving a more compact and voguish look. Because of these factors, achkan is preferred for formal festive events and grand parties. In the case of weddings, achkan can be considered an alternative to sherwani for the big day as they are made of silk or georgette and are spruced up with traditional embroideries such as gota or badla. This kind of sherwani is mostly paired with a dhoti or churidar pants. Dhoti achkan set can be perfect for a religious ceremony while Achkan churidar pants are perfect to don at social get-togethers or the wedding day. Some of the colors you can opt for for evening wear are purple, navy blue and wine. In case of daytime occasions, hues like beige, grey and cyan are ideal. For the final touch, either loafers or juttis can be selected. 

Pathani Suit 

Comfortable and stylish, Pathani suits comprise a distinctly designed kurta and baggy trousers. Some of the standout features of the pathani kurtas include fashionable neckline options, curved hemlines, pockets and button plackets in front and interesting sleeve cuff details. A cotton or linen Pathani suit in colors like dark blue, cream and maroon should be great for a casual day to run errands or a family get-together. For Diwali celebrations or a festive party with closed ones, pick silk or polyester pathani suits in hues like mustard yellow, crimson red or teal. Pathani suits that have printed kurtas are great for a fresh look. Kolhapuri chappals can be worn for a casual day out while sleek formal shoes can be paired with Pathani suits for festive events. 

Bandhgala 

This mens Indian clothing is considered to be the Indian equivalent of Western suits. Bandhgalas are short coats that are mostly made with lighter fabrics and have a more sleek look compared to sherwanis. As they come in many different varieties, they can be worn at formal, festive or wedding occasions. The plain polyester bandhgalas in colors like navy blue  and black can be worn at formal occasions as they have embellished buttons or cufflinks. Velvet ones are great for evening or winter weddings in colors such as grey, maroon and brown. Printed bandhgalas can be worn at weddings or festive occasions. Bandhgalas are often paired with churidar pants for a sleek look. Loafers or juttis can complete the look and can be selected based on the events. 

Nehru Jacket 

This ethnic jacket is considered an important addition to Indian men's clothing as it can make the outfit go from drab to fab instantly. Printed ones with floral, geometric or ethnic motifs can be worn on formal occasions as they give you a minimal yet voguish look. For festive occasions or wedding functions, Nehru jackets with zari embroidery can be worn. Nehru jackets made with jacquard fabric are also trending due to their plush raised patterns. Contrast-colored Nehru jackets add vibrancy to the look, while a Nehru jacket in the same color as the ethnic set exudes harmony. Nehru jacket can be paired with kurta sets such as kurta pyjama or dhoti kurta to level up the ethnic ensemble. 

Indo-Western Menswear 

As previously mentioned traditional Indian men’s clothing has changed as the design sensibilities have evolved tremendously over the decades. Gone are the days of boring and monotonous cuts, fabrics and decorations. With globalization and social media, you can see experiments done on collars, sleeves and hemlines of the men's Indian clothing. They can be either in a fusion style, asymmetrical or futuristic. While traditional embroideries such as zari and zardozi are still loved, designers are also dabbling with works such as mukaish, cutdana, beads, sequins, and thread work. The Indian clothes for men of this kind can be worn for an engagement or a wedding. 

These are some of the staple men’s ethnic wear that can certainly make heads turn in appreciation. If you are searching for them online, then Mirraw is a place where you can buy them all, from traditional men's Indian clothing to Indo-Western outfits.