Through his films, he has shown men how to dress, from oversized jackets and hooded sweatshirts to comfortable sweaters and tailored suits. As SRK celebrates another birthday, we glance back on five of his memorable looks that made their mark on the fashion sensibilities of men in India.
Shah Rukh Khan has always been a trendsetter when it comes to men’s fashion, long before the era of fashion obsession inspired by celebrity airport looks and Instagram moodboards.
The same could be said about the long coat and mufflers worn in this film. There is no other movie that established leather jackets as the demand of the moment like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’. Shah Rukh Khan, aka Raj Malhotra, combined baggy leather jackets, denims, graphic tees, baseball caps, and sunglasses effectively to create a style that is as rebellious as it is charming. The fashion that epitomised the time was a trend in Western casual wear for young Indian men. His jacket and jeans became synonymous with the brand he represented, with accessories giving it a hint of youthfulness. This trend also signified the change that was taking place in India regarding the advent of international brands. Do you recall the vibrant T-shirts, trendy jackets, caps, wristbands and the now-famous ‘COOL’ necklace? Shah Rukh Khan’s character Rahul Khanna from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ was the epitome of fashion for students in the 90s. With the help of stylish designer Manish Malhotra, the wardrobe of Rahul embraced a perfect blend of sportiness and casualness. From sporty lycra T-shirts and printed oversized shirts to denim details, each look was a great reflection of the fast popularity of international sportswear and youth-oriented street fashion. The concept of layering in winter fashion was brought into focus by Major Ram Prasad Sharma in the film ‘Main Hoon Na’. The character embodied the change in the direction of winter clothing by donning long coats, sweaters, and shirts and layering them correctly. It depicted a happy blend of military style and everyday dressing. The half-sleeve sweater paired with the shirt was a memorable look, as it took the boring look out of winter dressing. The costumes in this film show us how winter basics can turn into fashion statements.
One would have never guessed that a seasonal garment could embody a great styling idea that one will not easily forget. In ‘Mohabbatein’, Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Raj Aryan Malhotra, embodied a softer and more refined romantic menswear style. He sported all shirts well-pressed, tailored trousers, and rimless eyeglasses, in addition to long hair and sweaters draped over his shoulders. This was a tutorial on eloquence in dressing, where simple clothes pay off. It made smart casual dressing accessible for men who wanted to obtain a neat but not too formal look. The sweater-on-the-shoulder style still counts among his most famous style moments on the cinema set.
His style was a twist on the oversized sportswear that was the mainstay of his earlier movies.