India's first primeminister 'JawaharLal Nehru'(1947to 1964) is credited to popularize the famous single breasted,hip length jacket with band collar. It is fitted like a regular suit jacket and called as 'Nehru Jacket'. This style came to West in late 60's which stayed there till early 70's. 1960's was the time when foreign cultures had a strong influence on society and that revealed in fashion too.
Hollywood has always seen it as a villain's attire....oops Nehru didn't know this character of his favourite jacket....or probably he discovered a powerful style element hidden in it and that is what he liked in it. Indian politians, rich and famous-all have their wardrobes loaded with Nehru jackets.It is a kind of uniform among all the James Bond Villains. In the popular Harry Potter movies, Severus Snape (played by Alan Rickman) is always shown wearing a black robe with a black Nehru jacket-like underpiece. Hugo Drax in Moonraker, Dr.Evil in Austin Powers, Dr No in Dr No and many more villains have worn it. All round entertainer Sammy Davis claimed to have owned 200 of these.
In 60's intellectuals, musicians and religious leaders had special interest in Indian culture. The Beatles even travelled to India to study 'Meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The same Maharishi who has a dedicated TV channel'. Some musicians actually went ahead to learn Indian music. This jacket was available in variety of fabrics and sometimes worn with beads giving it a little hippie character. It could be a fashion fad in west but a classic men's outfit in India. Every Indian men has at least 1-2 of these jackets. It is considered a perfect choice for a groom's attire to be worn on his special occassions be it engagement, wedding day or reception. If any of my male readers do not own one, think of the powerful, diplomatic, dominating character associated with it ........ go ahead to get one stitched.
Hollywood has always seen it as a villain's attire....oops Nehru didn't know this character of his favourite jacket....or probably he discovered a powerful style element hidden in it and that is what he liked in it. Indian politians, rich and famous-all have their wardrobes loaded with Nehru jackets.It is a kind of uniform among all the James Bond Villains. In the popular Harry Potter movies, Severus Snape (played by Alan Rickman) is always shown wearing a black robe with a black Nehru jacket-like underpiece. Hugo Drax in Moonraker, Dr.Evil in Austin Powers, Dr No in Dr No and many more villains have worn it. All round entertainer Sammy Davis claimed to have owned 200 of these.
In 60's intellectuals, musicians and religious leaders had special interest in Indian culture. The Beatles even travelled to India to study 'Meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The same Maharishi who has a dedicated TV channel'. Some musicians actually went ahead to learn Indian music. This jacket was available in variety of fabrics and sometimes worn with beads giving it a little hippie character. It could be a fashion fad in west but a classic men's outfit in India. Every Indian men has at least 1-2 of these jackets. It is considered a perfect choice for a groom's attire to be worn on his special occassions be it engagement, wedding day or reception. If any of my male readers do not own one, think of the powerful, diplomatic, dominating character associated with it ........ go ahead to get one stitched.
1 comment:
it stormed men's wardrobes.Thanks to star supporters like Johnny Carson and the Beatles who did this. Nehru suit
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