Essential Guide On How To Buy The Best Nehru Jackets For Men
A Nehru jacket is a timeless piece in every man’s wardrobe and elevates any look from a Western shirt to a traditional kurta. It is named after first Prime Minister – Jawaharlal Nehru, who was often seen sporting this jacket.
The Nehru jacket has some distinctive features that set it apart from other kinds of jackets. This piece of clothing is a perfectly tailored, hip-length, tight-fitting jacket with a mandarin collar and a buttoned front.
Although the Nehru jacket was originally a sleeveless coat that was worn over kurtas, today you get it with full sleeves as well that’s better paired with a shirt. Let’s explore how you can style this coat for various occasions and seasons.
Understanding The Nehru Jacket
The Nehru jacket gained popularity in the 1960s when the British era had just ended and the jacket symbolised India’s decolonising spirit. The Nehru jacket is a combination of the Western overcoat/ blazer and the Indian kurta, and the amalgamation represents our freedom struggle and the onus of our independence. Making the features of a Nehru jacket even more prominent.
- Collar: Unlike other Western jackets that have a pleated collar and lapel, Nehru jackets have a mandarin collar that looks like a band giving it a sleek, crisp, and modern look.
- Button: Almost all Nehru jackets are buttoned in the front and they are kept that way, unlike coats and blazers that can be worn unbuttoned, this offers a perfectly tailored look helping you appear formal and toned.
- Length: Most Nehru jacket are waist-length and offer a tailored look making you look authoritative and slimmer.
The Right Fabric For The Nehru Jacket
A Nehru jacket is a type of stitch that can be custom-made with a number of different fabrics. Depending on the occasion, location, comfort level, season, and personal preferences you can choose a fabric.
- Cotton: A cotton Nehru jacket is breathable and lightweight making it the perfect material for warmer climates, especially during the summer. You can wear them for daytime events, weddings, school and college events, and formal outings.
- Brocade: A brocade Nehru jacket is more festive than formal. You can pair a plain cotton kurta over the brocade material to make it more regal and festive. This is perfect for religious ceremonies, weddings of a close relative or friend, Diwali, and New Year.
- Wool: If you belong to regions with colder climates, a woollen Nehru jacket would keep you perfectly warm, toasty, and stylish for the right event. From evening events to formal parties, a woollen Nehru jacket is a practical choice to emulate the old-money aesthetic.
- Crepe: A more fun and playful fabric like crepe can add a mirthful touch to your outfits. Crepe Nehru jackets come in a variety of patterns and designs and when paired with solid non-white shirts and kurtas, they can make you appear youthful, ideal for young people's parties at weddings, Haldi, Mehendi, and small family festive gatherings.
- Khadi: Khadi Nehru jackets are nostalgic pieces that look great for serious social gatherings and community events where decision-making people make an appearance. This is an elegant, subtle, and formal jacket that imbibes a regal spirit without any flashiness.
Get The Fit Right
A Nehru jacket is all about the fit, an ill-fitting Nehru jacket takes away from the appeal and makes you look shabby, this is how you can buy the right jacket for you.
- Shoulder: Whether you opt for a full-sleeved or sleeveless Nehru jacket, make sure the shoulder stitch is just right. The shoulder length can make or break the silhouette as a loose shoulder will look snug on you and a tight shoulder will restrict your movement.
- Chest: Ensure your Nehru jacket is not too loose around the chest, because they are often worn fully buttoned and a loose jacket will look cheap. Avoid those pesky peepholes that form when your jacket is too tight.
- Length: The right length for a Nehru jacket is one that ends at the waist. If your jacket is too long, you will appear shorter, and a short Nehru jacket will look disproportionate.
- Sleeves: Nehru jackets come with either a full sleeve or no sleeve. If your Nehru jacket has a full sleeve, make sure it ends at the wrist bone, the cuff of your shirt should be outside your jacket for a more discerning look. If your jacket is sleeveless, make sure the stitches of your jacket and shirt are aligned.
Key Takeaways
Other than the fabric and the stitch pattern there are other things to keep in mind before you buy a Nehru jacket. Make sure the colour of the jacket matches the vibe of the event – neutrals for formal, bold for festive, and pastels for casual events. You can either pair a Nehru jacket with a shirt, kurta, or a turtle neck depending on the occasion and weather. Finally, make sure you invest in a good-quality Nehru jacket, because these timeless pieces are never going out of style.
