Hmm … adjust that hair to let that few strands fall across your forehead . aah purrfect! …stand behind and admire, that impeccable shirt tucked in, coupled with that crisp ironed pant . wow the girls are gonna fall flat no no no … pls let them fall on me instead I think I can tackle them. All of us are bothered .or should I put it as most of us are bothered about our attire, the clothes we wear, the fit …but recently we have this major exposure of international brands in India and all of us love to fold our elbow on the table and motioning feverently “ You dumbo look that at that lovely A on my shirt its my new Arrow shirt dammit ”. A very positive point about this exposure it is that we have better brands and more to choose from.
I have always been a prosperous young man … the prosperity showing in my physique, I used to get my trousers tailored earlier . but I always felt something missing … I went to all the good tailors but still that crispness, the happiness in wearing something new was amiss. As for shirt I used to get em tailored but then preferred readymades … I always loved great brands and u see I am a bit of that Showoff type and why not guys! Its my money that I spend( until I started earning . till then it was my natural banker … my DAD( oh don’t I love him) who used to finance me) and I believe you live once, yes I also believe in reincarnation but then… if I become a giraffe in my next birth I cant go to an Allen Solly showroom to buy a shirt can I? So here is my high five brands for shirts and trousers!
Allen Solly
This American brand came in …and the people stayed away . great shirts great trousers … but awful prices.I could buy a shirt but then I would resemble Bo Derek as I wouldn’t be able to afford the trouser to cover the lower half of my beautiful self. Now of course people have got into that “Brand Buying” habit and are willing to spend on clothes and these guys have some great summer collection of Shirts, I like their colors and the designs bright yet subtle. But the best I like about Allen bhai are the Cotton Trousers, they fit you like you are born for it and makes any Jackass look sexy!( I am always born sexy so I don’t need to mind). The shirts are priced at Rs 1000 above but the trousers are around Rs 1500 and worth every penny.
Color Plus
I was desperately in need of a trouser and off I went to the new shopping mall. I saw, picked and kept it back, saw again and hem hawed and kept it again. I kept getting this Grrrrrrrrrr looks from the salesmen and the saleswomen . I reached the Color plus rack and saw this “Trouser from heaven” in front of me the Chinos loose fit, it was great felt soft and smooth like my girlfriend’s cheek. I decided to buy it and saw the tag … then suddenly I saw a black sky with lovely stars blue, white and yellow shining brightly …then it started raining and I opened my eyes to see the beautiful saleswomen hovering around me sprinkling water over my face calling out “Sir Sir” … I got up to my feet and saw the Price tag and grabbed the rack for support it read Rs 1995 , why leave that Rs 5 … my my too expensive. Mumbling something like I am anemic? I made my way out, but then I thought “ to hell with it yaar ” and purchased it … great trousers I must say, one must keep looking at the mirror as it feels like you are wearing nothing at all. The shirts are quite good but the trousers are a better bet.
Arrow
Man likes to display his superiority his ability to spend, this trait is more in abundance with Indian men and Arrow has exploited it very well. The American Arrow( made in America one) doesn’t have any A on its right hand sleeve but then the Indian Arrow has one. I personally prefer Arrow Whites Crisp and Ivory White, it has superior fabric and impeccable stitching. It does cost a bomb but then must make its way into ever man’s wardrobe. I like to wear this brand and I also like to walk with my right hand in my head showing I have an Arrow shirt. The Trousers are good too, but the Shirts are better.
Van Heusen
This is one brand whose trousers and shirts make for a good buy. This one doesn’t have any marking to show off but impresses you by the sheer fabric, the feel, the tailoring, the colors, the designs! I remember as a collegian I loved to see Caroline and Brooke of “The Bold and the Beautiful ”, but more so I loved the shirts that Ridge Forrester and Thorne used to wear. Once during my Diwali Shopping I saw the same shirt that Ridge wore and purchased it … oh how I hated when it wore off after several years of existence. Sigh! I miss that shirt, impressively white with Prussian blue lines bordered by thin green lines bordering those blue lines. Their shirts are great!, coming to the trousers, I prefer this brand, they cost you only Rs 950/- and are a great value for money. Fits great, looks great and feels great!
F S
FS! whats that? you might ask, well this is the most preferred brand in Mumbai. Its called Fashion Street. Alight out of VT(CST) Station, dance across Azad Maidan and presto you see a row of shops …that’s fashion Street for you. You get a vast array of shirts with brand you might never have heard! I see this great shirt and ask the shopkeeper the price “ he says Rs 350 only sir … without flinching an eye ”, I say Rs 100 and walk off, he calls me back we haggle and I buy it finally for Rs 150 bucks … cool aint it. This purchase is based on judgment and haggling techniques. I still have one shirt I got at FS in 1995 for Rs 100/-. U can buy anything from T shirts, pants and on and on …
That’s my high five for you … try em out and lemme know … Do rate and comment on this review.