STORIES BY MANYAVAR & MOHEY
Lifestyle
Nehru Jackets: Your Versatile Style Companion From Weddings to Weekend Brunches
Date 12 August 2025 Reading time: 7-10 mins
The kurta pajama's dapper cousin, the Nehru jacket, has been a style staple for desi men since the 1940s. But if you thought this timeless silhouette was just for weddings, think again! Today's Nehru jacket styles come in a mind-boggling variety of fabrics, colours, and embellishments, making them the perfect pick for literally ANY occasion on your social calendar.
Whether you're the dulha's dapper dad or the best man at your BFF's destination shaadi, heading to the office Diwali party or Friday movie night with the gang, there's a Nehru jacket waiting to amp up your style game. Ready to give your wardrobe the royal treatment? Let's dive into the fascinating world of Nehru jackets and explore how to style this iconic piece for weddings, festivals, formal events, casual outings, and more!
Understanding the Nehru Jacket: A Brief History
The Nehru jacket, named after India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is a hip-length tailored coat with a mandarin collar, modelled after the Indian achkan or sherwani. Nehru popularised this garment as a modern, minimalist alternative to the traditional achkan, and it soon became a symbol of Indian pride and identity, worn by everyone from politicians to Bollywood stars.
Over the decades, Nehru jacket styles have evolved from a political fashion statement to a versatile wardrobe essential for the modern Indian man. Today, you'll find Nehru jackets in a spectrum of styles, from classic black and white versions to heavily embroidered wedding wear, printed casual jackets, and even avant-garde asymmetrical designs.
The Versatility of Nehru Jackets
The Nehru jacket is the ultimate choice for versatile festive wear, perfect for a variety of occasions for Nehru jackets—from weddings and festive celebrations to casual gatherings and formal events. It's the Swiss Army knife of men's Indian fashion—one piece, countless possibilities! This wardrobe essential can be dressed up or down, layered or worn solo, offering endless styling options based on your personal flair and the vibe you want to project.
What makes the Nehru jacket a standout for these occasions is its clean, fuss-free silhouette that pairs effortlessly with both Indian and Western outfits. From weddings to casual celebrations, the Nehru jacket ensures you always look sharp, no matter the occasion.
Nehru Jacket Styles: A Comprehensive Guide
Modern Nehru Jacket Styles
If you love experimenting with fashion, then you'll adore the cool, contemporary avatars of the Nehru jacket. Designers are having a blast deconstructing and reinventing this classic silhouette, giving us styles like:
- Asymmetrical Nehru jackets with one-sided lapels or innovative front closures
- Longline Nehru jackets that graze the knees, creating a trendy layered look
- Nehru jackets with attached capes, stoles, or draped kurtas for a fusion vibe
- Printed Nehru jackets in quirky patterns like micro florals, abstract motifs, or pop art Embellished Nehru jackets with tone-on-tone threadwork, sequins, beads, or metallic embroidery
For an outfit that's equal parts regal and ramp-ready, check out the designer nehru jacket sets from Manyavar.
Classic Nehru Jacket Styles
Purists, this one's for you! If your personal style is more timeless than trendy, then you'll appreciate the enduring appeal of these classic Nehru jacket styles:
- Solid-coloured Nehru jackets in rich jewel tones like emerald, ruby, sapphire, and amethyst
- Subtle self-patterned Nehru jackets in paisley, brocade, or jacquard weaves
- Luxe Nehru jackets crafted from regal fabrics like silk, velvet, or fine wool
- Minimalist Nehru jackets with elegant piping, contrast buttons, or a pocket square
- Bandhgala Nehru jackets with a sleek, rounded mandarin collar and a hook-and-eye front closure
How to Style a Nehru Jacket for Different Occasions
Nehru Jackets as Versatile Festive Wear
It's no secret that Nehru jackets are the MVPs of wedding wear. But why limit their festive fabulousness to just shaadis? The right Nehru jacket can add just the right dose of desi tadka to your look for ANY festive occasion, be it Diwali, Eid, Holi, Rakhi, or even your office Ganesh Chaturthi celebration!
For festivals, choose Nehru jackets in bright, auspicious hues like yellow, orange, red, or green. Ornate weaves like banarasi silk or jacquard lend a rich, celebratory vibe, while embroidered details in gold or silver add a touch of shimmer. Complete the ensemble with a matching or contrasting kurta pajama and juttis or mojaris for a festive look that's 100% on point.
Occasions for Nehru Jackets: Casual Gatherings
Who says festive wear is only for big bashes? A well-styled Nehru jacket can be your go-to even for low-key hangouts with friends and family. The key is to choose lightweight, easy-breezy fabrics like cotton, linen, or khadi, and opt for minimal embellishment or prints.
For a casual-cool vibe, pair your Nehru jacket with slim-fit jeans or chinos, a plain tee or shirt, and loafers or sneakers. Stick to neutral hues like white, beige, navy, or olive green, and let your Nehru jacket be the star of the outfit. Kurta pajama for men in coordinated colour palettes also work well for laid-back lunches, movie dates, or impromptu gedi sessions with the gang.
Occasions for Nehru Jackets: Formal Events
Need to make a power move at a business meeting or a black-tie gala? A sharp Nehru jacket is your secret weapon! The structured silhouette and crisp, clean lines of a well-tailored Nehru jacket convey confidence, authority, and a strong sense of personal style.
For formal occasions, stick to neutral colours like black, charcoal, navy, or grey, and opt for rich, luxurious fabrics like wool, silk, or velvet. A tone-on-tone self-pattern adds a touch of understated elegance, while a contrast lining or piping can be a subtle way to show off your style chops. Pair your Nehru jacket with dress trousers, a button-down shirt, and classic oxfords for a look that means business.
Pairing Nehru Jackets into Your Look
The best thing about Nehru jackets? You don't need a special occasion to rock one! With so many colours, styles, and silhouettes to choose from, it's easy to incorporate this desi staple into your everyday wardrobe. Mix and match with kurtas, shirts, jeans, trousers, or even shorts to create unique looks that showcase your personal style.
For an outfit that scores high on both comfort and style, you can't go wrong with Manyavar's range of men's outfits featuring Nehru jackets. From classic combos to trendy fusion ensembles, there's something for every taste and occasion. So go ahead, experiment with layering, play with proportions, and have fun with accessories—and let your Nehru jacket be the pièce de résistance of your look.
Trust us, once you start styling Nehru jackets for different occasions, you'll wonder how you ever got dressed without one! It's the ultimate style hack for the modern desi man who wants to look effortlessly put together, no matter where the day (or night) takes him.
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