While Barack Obama makes news for his sartorial and casual dressing sense, seems like there’s still a long way to go for our Indian politicians to try a new look apart from their white Khadi dress code.
Planning to follow a casual style, Rahul Mahajan, who is aiming for the next elections was reportedly quoted as saying that when he will be politically active, he’ll prefer to attend Parliament in jeans and shirts and “won’t dress like Rahul Gandhi in a kurta-pyjama”.
While white kurtas and khadi Nehru jackets have become an intrinsic part of our politicos’ dress code, do budding politicians feel that our Indian politicians should go casual?
“It depends on individual choice. But youngsters, who are joining politics, would any day prefer to look more casual. Rahul Gandhi likes white kurtas, as he believes in following his party’s philosophy. But I feel that politicians can try innovative looks. Maybe a tee or shirt with denims, a smart suit or a tailored waistcoat, would look great. It will help them get rid of that serious look and connect with the masses,” says Vikas Dahiya, vice president, Delhi BJP Youth.
Agrees Nupur Sharma, ex national executive, VJYM. “I feel that if one dresses to suit one’s profession and the environment he is working in, there’s no harm in experimenting with clothes. Over the years, many politicians have been spotted dressed in vibrant colours like green kurtas and shirts. Even women leaders can try wearing well-fit trousers and a shirt, which looks elegant and sophisticated,” she adds.
And many give suggestions for sprucing up the look, even though politicians seem unlikely to give up their urge to dress down.
Shikha Rawat, a media professional sums it up by saying, “All politicians like Sonia Gandhi, Praful Patel, Omar Abdullah or Milian Deora have a dignified dressing sense. I feel politicians can afford to experiment. Apart from the kurta and bandhgala, one can always go in for the two-button or four-button suit. Also, darker colours are cool. Women can try interesting accessories.”