Nehru jackets perennial fashion

Strutting around in her khadi jacket in Jawahar Lal Nehru University’s (JNU) Campus, Gazal Mullick exudes confidence. “Nehru jackets are a power symbol of sort,” says Gazal, adding that she pairs her jacket with almost every sort dress, be it a salwar-kameez, T-shirt or shirt.

While Gazal owes her selection of clothing to the Parineeti Chopra - inspired Nehru jacket in Ishaqzaade, there are a horde of youngsters gushing over the latest auction of John Lennon’s teal blue Nehru Jacket that fetched a whopping 7000 pounds in London.

From the traditional Nehru jackets adorned by Saif Ali Khan casual ly to the filmy avatar of Jimmy Shergil  in films such as Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster, Nehru jackets (or Bandi as its called sometimes) emanate an alluring spark. Metrolife spoke to City based designers to get their take on these classy jackets that never seem to be going out of season.

Engaged with her latest Nehru-jackets collection for the renowned air rifle shooter Gagan Narang, Minakshi Shangle, a Delhi-based designer, tells us, “Gagan’s collection would have a lot of solid colours, say red, white, maroon and black. With just a touch of gold and silver through handicraft, I am keeping its design minimalistic and emphasising the shoulders for bringing out the clothes’ masculinity.”

While this collection would be a part of Minakshi Shangle’s couture, there are an array of option for regular wear ranging between Rs 4000-6000 as well. “In the regular wear Nehru jackets, I give very basic details over the collar or put some hand embroidery, to add a touch of funk for youngsters.” These jackets have an Indo-Western appeal.
Sticking to tweed, linen and silkwear for menwear in Nehru jackets, another City based designer,  Rajdeep Ranawat believes that in this year’s autumn-winter collection Nehru jacket will stay very popular.
Quizzing him over
women-specific Nehru
jackets reveals, “These jackets are usually inspired by the biker look. They don’t always have to be made from
leather though. These are trendy and edgy and have a lot of embellishments to
play with.”
Ranawat adds that to give an exotic appeal to these jackets, he gives a “European-rioty look to the clothes by using digital prints on raw silk and putting velvet piping around the jacket.” In this autumn winter collection, the designer spotted Chanel’s round neck and band collar classic jackets that could be teamed up with anything to make
for a chic look.