Weddings in India have gone beyond being about just ceremonies; they have now become a whole fashion show with the sangeet being the outfit of fashion choice. With music, dancing, and getting pictures taken, the outfit for the sangeet must be festive yet comfortable, and stylish without trying to be stylish. In this case, the men’s waistcoat kurta has quickly become one of the best “hacks” for the sangeet as it is both classic and trendy.
If you are wondering why so many grooms, groomsmen, and guests are now wearing kurtas with jackets for men, this guide will highlight all the reasons why. With a range of versatility and comfort as well as being stylish to follow trends and have the ability to style it your way, the waistcoat kurta is going to be the perfect outfit for your sangeet night.
The Sangeet Style Challenge for Men
Choosing clothing for the sangeet can be difficult for male guests. Most outfits can meet at least 1 challenge from the list below:
- Outfits that are festive yet not over the top formal (not too fancy);
- Outfits that give the wearer the ability to dance (move);
- Outfits that will be easy to photograph due to the lighting on the stage;
- Outfits that will be comfortable to wear throughout the duration of the event.
The traditional sherwani is bulky and restricts the ability for movement, while some plain kurta for men can be “too plain” for a lively venue. The waistcoat kurta set is able to fill this gap.
What Exactly Is a Waistcoat Kurta?
The waistcoat kurta is an ethnic style achieved through layering the waistcoat over a kurta. Start with the base of your outfit; choose a long (knee-length or longer) kurta. Then add a fitted waistcoat/jacket (such as a tailored waistcoat) on top of the kurta. Lastly, complete the outfit with bottom (churidar, straight pant, dhoti, etc.). This creates a great look for any occasion and you can take a basic kurta and make an entire outfit in just a few short steps. With its silhouette similar to the sherwani, the waistcoat kurta has more structure (support, visual appeal, and contrast) than the sherwani.
Why the Waistcoat Kurta Is a Sangeet Winner
1. A Fun, Stylish Way to Dress During a Wedding Sangeet
People are busy socialising, having fun, dancing, and walking around. The easiest way to get this type of feeling is to wear a kurta-style outfit (relaxation) and add a waistcoat-type jacket (formal look). With this combination, one appears to be dressed up yet comfortable. A very rare sight in wedding attire!
2. How to Layer for a Great Look
Layering (in this case, wearing a kurta with a waistcoat) is an excellent way to create many different looks. A solid kutra can also help create a fashion statement when paired with a tailor-made (fitted) waistcoat. This explains why so many celebs/influencers are currently wearing the trendy combination of kurta and waistcoat in their social media posts. Designers this season have created a plethora of new cuts, embroidery techniques, and textures to continue to build the waistcoat into the “coolest” part of the complete outfit.
3. The Choices Are Endless
The waistcoat and kurta set combination will be the dominant style at your sangeet. You will find all sorts of combinations to fit the needs of your sangeet regardless of whether you are attending a formal sangeet (inside) or an informal one (outside). For example:
- You could wear an embroidered waistcoat if you want to dress nicely and have a more regal appearance.
- You could wear a printed waistcoat if you want to dress stylishly and have fun with bright colours.
- You could wear a solid-coloured (Black or Navy Blue) waistcoat if you want to wear something elegant and have a more minimalist look.
- Asymmetric or open front waistcoats are also stylish and trendy ways to dress up for your sangeet.
Why It’s Trending Right Now
The growth of the trending waistcoat kurta set can be attributed to many different fashion and cultural changes that have influenced its growth in popularity.
Celebrity Influence
Waistcoat kurtas are currently receiving major attention from high-profile individuals such as Bollywood actors who have opted for this attire, especially at wedding functions (whether the groom is wearing one or not) and grooms who wear this outfit to high-profile destination weddings. When celebrities start to wear layered kurta outfits instead of the traditional heavy sherwanis, it is likely that the trend will follow.
Modern Groom Preferences
Today’s grooms want to have an outfit that is very stylish yet authentic. They do not want something that is overly traditional and/or looks like a costume. A waistcoat kurta provides the groom with a way to express themselves through Indian clothing while still looking modern.
Mix-and-Match Appeal
Many men like to have clothing that they can wear again. By wearing a waistcoat kurta set, men can do the following:
- Wear the kurta by itself for smaller ceremonies
- Wear a waistcoat over a shirt or a short kurta on another occasion
- Pair the waistcoat with various bottoms
The versatility of the waistcoat kurta set provides tremendous value.
How to Style a Waistcoat Kurta for Sangeet Night
Color Choice
Sangeet nights should be very bright and colorful, so you should wear color. Make sure that the color you wear is :
- Ajeweltonelikeemeraldorroyalblue
- Apastelcolorfordaytime or nighttimefunctions
- Abeigeorivorykurtawithanintensecoloredjacket
Contrast is important so that one of these two items (either the kurta or the overcoat or waistcoat) is the focus point.
Focus on Fit
Everything from the waistcoat to pants can look brand new, but if the waistcoat doesn’t fit to the body, it will not be flattering. Here are some guidelines for the fit of your waistcoat: it should fit well in fit and fabric on the shoulders, fit comfortably when buttoned with no pulling at the waist, and be finished just below the waist to provide a clean silhouette to the body.
A waistcoat kurta that is tailored the way a tailored suit is should look like it was custom-made for its wearer.
Accessorize Smartly
Accessories that are subtle and effective will help to complete the outfit: mojaris or embroidered loafers, a signature brooch on the jacket, a pocket square to give the look an extra touch of class, and a time piece such as a classic watch or bracelet. The purpose of accessories is to enhance the overall appearance of the outfit, not overtake it.
Waistcoat Kurta vs Other Sangeet Outfit Options
Let’s do a quick comparison of the waistcoat kurta versus other sangeet outfits with the following reasons for its success:
- With a sherwani – It is lighter, more comfortable, and allows for easier dancing
- With a plain kurta – The kurta with jacket is more festive, has better style and looks great in photos than a plain kurta
- With Indo-western suits – The kurta with jacket is a more traditional and culturally rooted outfit than Indo-western suits are.
This makes the waistcoat kurta with jacket the best option for men attending a sangeet.
Ideal for Everyone: Groom, Groomsmen, and Guests
- One of the biggest advantages of the waistcoat kurta is that it is an outfit that everyone can wear.
Grooms should wear rich fabrics and lots of intricate embroidery
Groomsmen should have the same style of kurta but wear different jackets, to complement the groom
Guests can wear simple yet stylish versions of the kurta and jacket without looking better than the groom
It is hard to find one outfit that fits everyone, and the waistcoat kurta manages to be this type of outfit for all three categories.
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Sangeet Hack
There’s no better way to express your personality at a traditional Indian wedding than with a waistcoat kurta set. This combination of tradition and trend, celebration and comfort, and simplicity and style is the ideal way to reflect the energy and fashion-forward vibe of a sangeet.
The popularity of waistcoat kurta sets at weddings has not gone unnoticed by brides and grooms alike. If you’re getting married yourself soon or attending someone else’s wedding this fall, choosing a kurta with a jacket could turn out to be the smartest style move you make all season long!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are waistcoat kurtas only appropriate for sangeet functions?
Not necessarily. A waistcoat kurta is a versatile garment, and can be worn for occasions such as weddings, receptions, festivals or other cultural events, provided the right style and material are chosen.
Which are the best fabric selections for men’s waistcoat kurta sets?
Typically, the best waistcoat kurtis use lightweight cotton or silk blends, linen blend materials (for casual wear) and soft finish brocade because they are all very easy to wear and are suitable for festive occasions.
Is a waistcoat kurta appropriate for a summer wedding celebration?
Yes! In fact, one of the greatest advantages of wearing a waistcoat kurta versus a traditional expensive bulky sherwani is that the lightweight fabric allows for air circulation and thus keeping the wearer cooler than other heavier clothing items would in a hot summer wedding setting.
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