Sherwani

Origin

Sherwani is a well known traditional attire worn by Asian men its origin can be traced back to the 16^th century when it was the dress code of Persian and Turkish nobility in the Mughal Empire and Dehli Sultanate. This attire seemed like an odd choice in the sweltering heat of India, but the foreign rulers were insistent on maintaining their traditions. Sherwani remained prevalent in the during King Babar’s reign (1526-1530) when men of title wore a Chafan and Postin (Long coat and Sheepskin) to retain their Turkish identity. It resurfaced again during Akbar’s reign who took a keen interest in court costumes; he restyled the original sherwani by removing the slits and adding a fuller skirt with rounded hemline. He called in the Chak Dar Jama, and it became the official attire for men in Akbar’s court. This open jacket style garment also featured a sash called the Patka which was handwoven and was used for suspending jewelled swords.

Akbar tried his best to unify two prominent faiths; Islam and Hinduism during his reign. Although the Chak Dar Jama was a fusion of both religions, the Mughal Emperor ordered Hindus to tie the garment on their left side as per their tradition and Muslims to tie theirs on the right side. The Chak Dar Jama trend did not trickle down to the masses who were mostly farmers toiling in the fields as it was not practical for them to wear this attire in the sweltering heat while doing manual work. Another historic version indicates that sherwani originated from Azerbaijan where locals wore a garment that resembled sherwani and were known as chokha. In fact, the word sherwani is derived from “shervan” which is a place in Azerbaijan .The chokha made it to Lucknow, a city in India where it was adopted by Muslim nobles and aristocrats of that time.

Sherwani has retained its glory over the centuries as most Indian grooms choose to wear sherwani on their wedding day; it is still a significant symbol of cultural heritage. Sherwani gives a royal and masculine look to the Indian groom; it makes one look dignified and sophisticated. Sherwanis are uniquely designed with the finest fabrics such as cotton silk, velvet and brocade, keeping in mind the grandeur of Indian weddings. In many cultures, a safa or head turban can take the sherwani to a whole new level; it is an essential part of the groom’s attire. There is a vast variety of turbans out there that have plumes, feathers, jewellery and tassels on them; leaving one spoilt for choice. Another accessory you can add to make your sherwani look mesmerizing is a velvet stole or pashmina shawl with traditional embroidery or embellishments on it. Make sure your turban and velvet stole is of the same colour, but you don’t need to worry too much about this as most readymade sherwanis come with matching accessories these days.

(Source : manyavar.com)

Types of Sherwani

Indian grooms have become more conscious than ever; they are taking a keen interest in their wedding sherwanis and are personalizing them with small details. They are breaking norms by wearing pink, peach and green instead of the usual black, white and maroon sherwani. They are taking risks with their neckpieces, turbans and shawls by breaking away from the conventional designs and opting for bolder, brighter designs including floral prints.

There are many types of sherwanis available in the market these days as designers are experimenting with different materials, cuts and designs. Below are a few popular types of sherwani that are usually worn by Indian grooms on their wedding.

Chipkan Sherwani

Origination of Chipkan sherwani can be traced back to the Mughal era in the Indian region; this type of sherwani is associated with royalty. The designs are derived from the wardrobes of Mughal kings and princes and have strong influences from Islamic calligraphy.

If you want to add a touch of magnificence and royalty to your look, then Chipkan sherwani is all you need. Indian grooms usually carry a sword with their Chipkan sherwani to complement their look. It is essential to discuss your preferences with your fiancée before you finalize your wedding attire as you both want to wear something that follows a theme or complements each other instead of looking worlds apart. You don’t want to end up wearing a traditional Chipkan sherwani if your bride is opting for a modern lehnga.

(Source : pinterest.com)

Indo-Western Sherwani
The millennial Indians are strongly influenced by western culture and love adopting western trends; the Indo-western sherwani breathed new life into this traditional attire and made it relevant to the requirements of the modern age. Its introduction was a turning point for menswear as it brought a much-needed change to the traditional sherwani.The Indo-Western sherwani is a blend of Indian traditions with western influences; young men particularly love this fusion as they want to look modern and trendy on their big day.

The Indo-western sherwani is a complete package for the modern Indian groom as it is available in a variety of contrasting hues, intricate embellishments including precious stones, gems and beads that are paired with a straight trouser. The length of the Indo-western sherwani is shorter than traditional sherwanis and has minimal embroidery on it. Most designs are personalized to include the groom’s initials on the front making every sherwani genuinely unique.

(Source : IndiaMART)

Achkan Sherwani

The word achkan is translated roughly as something that protects the body; in other words, it means clothing to cover your body. Achkan sherwani was worn in many parts of the Indian subcontinent. The achkan sherwani has a distinct design; it has a different cut at the front and is occasionally worn with a sash like cloth which is tied around the waist. The achkan sherwani is paired with a churidar pyjama or dhoti, and the jacket’s length is kept a few inches above the knee. It has a slim-fit look and would only suit lean body types; men with a bulkier physique should avoid this style.

(Source : cbazaar)

Angrakha Sherwani

The angrakha sherwani is the most traditional sherwani on the market. It emphasizes the torso and is popular among physically fit grooms as it highlights their well-structured physique. It is typically wrapped around from left shoulder to the opposite side of the waist with a knot. This sherwani does not have any buttons down the length and is more comfortable for men who feel suffocated in a traditional sherwani. The angrakha sherwani takes inspiration from the wardrobe of Mughal kings; it is heavily embellished with stones, beads, sequences and motifs. This type of sherwani is mostly found in shades of red or maroon, but you can always ask for a customized colour if you are not keen on wearing red.

Pastel colour sherwanis are a hot trend as Bollywood celebrities have been spotted wearing them on their own weddings (Ranveer Singh, Virat Kholi) and are a perfect choice for a summer wedding. This type of sherwani is in huge demand by young grooms as it gives the illusion of a well-structured physique and can be worn for a day or night time wedding.

(Source : pinterest.com)

Pakistani Sherwani
Sherwani is not only famous among Indian grooms, but it is also a massively popular among Pakistani,Malaysian, Indonesian, Turkish and Bengali grooms as well. The simple black sherwani was put in the spotlight by the country’s founder, Mr Jinnah in Pakistan. He would wear black sherwani with buttons down the entire length and pair it with a white salwar during official visits and engagements. It has become a national dress for men and is worn on special occasions such as weddings, formal events and dinner parties.

(Source : IndianClothStore)

Indian Sherwani Designers

Indian sherwani is no less than a masterpiece; it is cut, stitched and styled to perfection. It includes intricate printing and hard work like zari, Resham, stone, Dori and beadwork. At Reeshma we offer Indian sherwanis in a variety of fabrics such as cotton silk, velvet, satin and brocade.

Sherwani is integral to the groom as lehnga is to the Indian bride. The sherwani symbolizes masculinity, status and sophistication. That is why the Indian man does not leave any expense spared when choosing a sherwani for his wedding. The best place to start is to browse through collections from top Indian sherwani designers like Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Rohit Bal, Raymond and Mohanlal sons. These designers have years of experience and have made a mark on the Indian wedding wear; they are famous for introducing exquisite sherwanis to the fashion world. You can find a sherwani to suit your own taste; whether you want something subtle and sophisticated or royal and magnificent, you will surely find something that catches your attention.

Since the Indian sherwani looks incomplete without matching/contrasting accessories, make sure you buy a turban, neckpiece, brooch or cuff links to jazz things up. One thing that most grooms fail to notice is how vital customized footwear is with a sherwani. You simply cannot wear black formal shoes with a sherwani; if you want to stand out, you will need to invest in a pair of customized khusa to complement your sherwani.

Price Range

A simple sherwani with minimal embroidery may cost somewhere between £200 to £250. The good news is that the price for traditional menswear is still a lot less than one would pay for a woman’s bridal attire. However it depends on your preferences, men’s sherwani can cost thousands of pounds especially if you choose to buy from brands like Sabyasachi, Raymond or Manyavar etc. We at Reeshma offer competitive prices on our sherwanis and provide you with a complete package that includes matching turban, shawl and other accessories. Our sherwanis are made from high-quality fabrics like cotton silk, velvet and brocade, so you look not only great but also feel comfortable on your big day. Our tailors are experts in their field with years of experience who will stitch your sherwani to perfection. You can be sure of great service at an affordable price when shopping from Reeshma.

Most Expensive Sherwani

The most expensive sherwani to date cost $98,553 which was worn was by Abishek Bachan, an Indian actor when he married Aishwariya Rai in April 2007. It was designed by Sandeep Khosla and Abu Jani who choose to stick with white and gold tones for their masterpiece. The embroidery incorporated 18k carat gold into the design; which was one of the reasons why it cost so much to make. The turban had three diamonds and two rows of emerald stones which complemented the sherwani beautifully.

Top Tips for Choosing Your Sherwani

A knee-length sherwani is a safe choice for most grooms as it will suit most men. If you are on the slim side, adding shoulder pads will help to fill you out and give you a well structured fit. If your crash diet is not working so well, then stick with darker shades and smaller prints. Put some thought into the material as no matter how magnificent the embroidery is, you will look tainted if the material is flimsy or creases easily. Velvet sherwanis are in massive demand during the winter seasons, but you can always opt for brocade or cotton silk during summers. We recommend adding a little bling to the collar as it will get plenty of attention and show your individual style too.

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