As common as it gets: Designers okay Arvind Kejriwal's style

His "sloppy pants", loose untucked shirts and casual footwear may not make a hip fashion statement, but AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who will take oath as Delhi chief minister for the second time on Saturday after another stunning electoral victory, reflects the common Indian man through his choice of dressing, Indian designers say.

When IANS asked a few designers if the 'muffler man', as he is called for his muffler-wrapped look in winter, needs a style check, a majority said he's good as he is - and that instead of his dressing, he should focus on delivering what was promised in the AAP manifesto.

Samant Chauhan, who promotes Bhagalpuri silk and belongs to Bihar, is an admirer of the politician as well as his fashion.

"He's setting a common man's image through his casual styling of loose shirt and scarf (muffler). That's what the common man is about. He should not change anything about his dressing," Chauhan told IANS, adding that if at all Kejriwal wishes to add a formal touch to his look, he must experiment with waistcoats or Nehru jackets.

Designer Kiran Uttam Ghosh feels that his dressing helps him better reach out to his target - the 'aam aadmi', the common man.

"I think Arvind Kejriwal dresses just fine. His style is functional, individual and suited to the people he wishes to reach out to. It is in sync with his 'aam aadmi' message. He shouldn't change a thing in his look and should just work towards better governance," she told IANS.

Another fashion designer, Varija Bajaj, agreed, and said that as Chief Minister, he will have more to think of than to focus on his clothes. And she also believes that he can be a trendsetter with his own fashion style.

"If he performs (well), his shirt, pant and muffler will be the new fashion! Only performance can give credibility to any fashion statement he will try to create. If he performs, he will be a fashion icon in himself, trust me," Bajaj told IANS.

However, she pointed out that if something needs to be changed about his style, it's his "sloppy pants".

"I would for sure wish he does away with sloppy pants, as a code of conduct for formal appearances. A well tucked-in shirt with proper fitting trousers along with formal shoes is something basic that he can begin with. It will help in staying simple, but formal enough to carry a Chief Minister's image," she added.

Designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula believe that in his capacity, Kejriwal can promote textiles and handlooms.

"As the newly elected CM, Kejriwal is going to be the global face of Delhi for the next five years. We would love that he also adopts various indigenous textiles as part of his sartorial choices so as to promote the dying crafts," Rimple told.

Harpreet suggests lightweight kurtas for summer season.

"Given how hot and humid the Delhi summer gets, he can forgo the shirt-pant style and opt for lightweight airy kurtas in muted colours made in fabrics such as cotton mals and Bhagalpuri silk blends," Harpreet told IANS.

"As the muffler is now associated with his inherent persona, Kejriwal can go for light weight shawls and stoles done in fabrics such as Chanderi cottons/silks and Maheshwari cottons," he added.

(Nivedita can be contacted at [email protected])