Mix it up

Connaught Place in New Delhi is a mix of the old and the new—stately baroque architecture dating from the British Raj and the colourful bustle of modern India. Thousands come here to work everyday amidst these glorious aesthetic surroundings. Why not add some of that spirit to your work attire? Banish the tyranny of solid-coloured shirts and standard diagonal striped ties and enter the world of shirts with stripes and ties that bind.

Walking to work, at least part of the way, is something you should do more often. As our cover story tells you, there’s probably no better way to keep fit (apart from climbing stairs that is). If you’re wearing a sleek self-printed shirt, you could always pair it with a subtle polka-dotted tie or better still, a houndstooth patterned tie. You can’t argue that it doesn’t look good! If you are not comfortable wearing anything other than a white shirt—and let’s face it, a white shirt always looks good—go for a light-coloured tie with enmeshed geometric patterns.

A fitted shirt is nothing to scoff at, especially when its dressy enough to be worn to work and to the party afterwards. There has never been a better time to chuck your chunky ties and go for a slim one. And if you do, how about a natty criss-cross pattern? 

He’s wearing: Shirt from Esprit for Rs 3,500
Tie from H20 for Rs 2,745
Belt from Viavero for Rs 2,750
Trousers from Esprit for Rs 5,500
Sunglasses from Ermenegildo Zegna for Rs 13,000

He’s wearing: Shirt from Canali for Rs 14,000
Tie from Viavero for Rs 1,950
Belt from Viavero for Rs 2,950
Trousers from Canali for Rs 21,000
Bag from Da Milano for Rs 7,995

He’s wearing: Jacket from Canali for Rs 35,000
Shirt from Cue for Rs 1,750
Tie from H2O for Rs 2,745
Trousers from Esprit for Rs 5,500
Belt from Viavero for Rs 2,750
Watch from Hamilton Khakhi for Rs 85,700

The well-cut power suit will never go out of style, especially a classic two-button grey suit with imaginative details. It’s a normal diagonal striped tie, but with a fitted suit and a selfprinted shirt, it rocks.

He’s wearing: Suit from Cue for Rs 28,500 Shirt from Cue for Rs 1,750
Tie from H2O for Rs 2,745
Belt from Ermenegildo Zegna for Rs 11,000

{mosimage} Here’s a way to wear as many stripes as possible, and yet mix it up so you get a unique look. If you’re wearing a shirt with bold vertical stripes, balance it out with a tie that goes the other way. A nice touch would be to coordinate the colours of your shirt with your tie.

He’s wearing: Shirt from Canali for Rs 14,000
Tie from Esprit for Rs 2,500 Trousers from Lacoste for Rs 3,450
Briefcase from Da Milano for Rs 7,995