Flower power comes to the fore

When one thinks about men wearing florals, one is immediately reminded of potbellied uncles in loose shirts, cavorting on the beaches of Hawaii or Goa.

Synonymous with beach wear, floral and bold prints have been relegated to the sidelines for a long time in the usually staid and sober world of menswear. But with change being the only thing that is certain, nowadays men are not averse to sporting a bit of flowery cheer on their broad shoulders.

Designer Surbhi Pansari says, “Men are now open to experimenting with new trends, patterns, prints and silhouettes. This trend is not just limited to the Indian industry but also the global fashion scenario. Gone are the days when only women were said to be able to carry off quirky prints, it’s time for men to step out. If floral prints are used in the right way, it adds a lot of style to the garment.”

Celebrities like Ranveer Singh help in breaking conventions when it comes to men’s fashion and florals seem to be one of his favourite ways of declaring to the world that he sets his own path. Though his unique and sometimes downright wacky dressing sense has earned him both bouquets and brickbats, Ranveer certainly comes in as a breath of fresh air in a scene dominated by solid colours and conventional cuts — a distinction that more and more youngsters are aiming for.

“Nothing is taboo when it comes to fashion,” says Smino Thomas, a professional. “Floral shirts are setting a new trend among the youngsters. While these were considered girly initially, the truth is that when used properly, they create a style statement that says you are not afraid to be yourself.”

So how does one ensure that they don’t cross the thin line between being bold and being a fashion disaster? “It should not look too messy or cluttered,” explains Surbhi. “Avoid big floral patterns as it might not suit all body types. Teaming up a floral printed pocket square in your party wear suits or incorporate floral printed linings in ‘Bandi’ jackets to add a special touch to the outfit. Including floral prints in earthy shades along with hand embroidery and sequin work in ‘sherwanis’ can also give a regal feel to the ensemble.”

For people who want to go a step further and include blooms in their everyday wear, the designer says, “Lightweight resort wear shirts can be teamed up with printed shorts for casual outings while floral printed trousers matched with plain shirts are perfect for a relaxed evening.”

But not everyone is convinced. “It still looks like beach wear to me,” laughs Mohammed Yaser, Lead manager in an MNC. “I don’t think I will be able to step out onto the streets wearing something like this.”

Diptaman Hazarika strikes a balanced note. “Men and florals sound like an unlikely combination but as long as one doesn’t go overboard, these can be carried off with elan, just like bold prints. Go for small floral prints in bright or pastel colours to make a statement. If that feels too loud for you, go for embroidered or textured petals in earthy or dark shades. For more formal occasions, go for a ‘blooming’ bow tie, pocket square or embroidered collar. One can even sport the print on the insides of your shirt sleeves and roll them up for a little colour in your outfit,” he says.

After all, what is life without a little experimentation? After all, only dead fish go with the flow.