One came across the following report on a newswire which was read with incredulity. It ran something like the following -
Gone are the days when Kurta Pajamas, loose fitting tops and trousers, were the only acceptable cricketwear for Indians. ODI cricket was aptly named 'Kurta Pajama Cricket' to celebrate India's success at the Prudential World Cup in 1983. It was pruned to 'Pajama Cricket' after an Indian captain took off his Kurta at Lords 20 years later. But even that term is in dire straits now with winds of change sweeping the cupboards of the Indian cricketer. Indian professional cricketers are now spending a lot on sportswear to fit in at matches abroad or while hosting international teams.
"It's a drastic change from before," Mr.Taylor, the head of Hike said. "We've already had a lot of requests from cricketers, say from small Indian cities, who want to know how to dress for a cricket match in London. Some of them have ended up leading the national team. They want to impress. Appearances matter now with all the sponsorship deals being lined up"
The reader may be wondering about the mental stability of the writer and he has valid reasons to be concerned. Well one woke up from one's dream sweating profusely. But when one tried to delve into the freudian reasons for such a dream, one remembered a reading a similar article sometime earlier. Well here goes.
Indian male chants a new style mantra
By Lyndee Prickitt
MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - The big mustache, silk shirt and gold accessories-look that survived for decades is now being replaced by a haute couture hero: India's men are taking their fashion cues from the global scene.
And this fashion fever is not just for the rich -- India's growing ranks of wealthy, well-heeled and Western educated professionals with careers in multinational companies and a chunk of disposable income are leading the change.
India's economy, one of the fastest growing in the world, is also turning the Asian country into an international business force, which in turn means more global exposure for businessmen who are keen to look the part.
On Monday, men's magazine GQ India hits the newsstands, following in the footsteps of other male-only publications such as Men's Health, Maxim, and FHM, and experts are saying this is further proof that Indian men are embracing more global fashions.
"A certain segment of male Indian society has always pampered itself and spent a lot on clothes," Che Kurrien, GQ India editor, told Reuters.
"Add to that a lower strata of society that always wanted to spend lavishly but couldn't afford to. Well, now they can. Combine the two groups and you have a huge market."
Gone are the days when sherwanis, high-collared knee-length coats for men, were the only acceptable businesswear. Professionals are now spending a lot on officewear to fit in at meetings abroad or while doing business with foreign clients.
"It's a drastic change from before," Kurrien said. "We've already had a lot of requests from men, say from small Indian cities, who want to know how dress for a business meeting in London. They want to impress. Appearances matter now."
Here's the link to the complete article - http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE48S0VD20080929
One has considered oneself to be a 'professional' for the last few years but this article rudely shook one out of that myth. One has, but been a pseudo-professional. Not having worn a Sherwani for any client meetings instantly disqualifies one.
GQ has been a household name in India for some decades now. It would have been giving the TOI, Hindu and related publications, a run for their money, if it was launched earlier in this country. Naturally for people from small cities in India, GQ is the first name that comes to mind when they decide to overhaul their wardrobes. One is rushing to the news stand to figure out if socks are really needed to be worn with shoes.
Hats off to the newswire report. Or should one say Pagdis off?