Turning 76 today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made his mark for himself in the world of politics. He started from a humble background and is now the leader of one of the fastest-growing economies – India. Whether he is making a public appearance at an event in the country, meeting global state leaders or on vacation, Narendra Modi’s style never falters.
One look at his social media and his public persona, and you will notice that India’s Prime Minister clearly loves to show his personality via the outfits he chooses. He has created a niche look for himself with his take on the Nehru jacket – a longer koti, bright colours and a pocket square – that has now been termed the Modi vest.
Here’s a look at 3 of his iconic looks throughout his almost
12-year journey as India’s Prime Minister:
It’s All In The Name
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with then-US President Barack Obama created quite a stir in 2015. People discovered that the blue pinstripe suit he had worn at the meeting was embroidered with his own name. Close-up photographs revealed that the golden stripes in the wool bandhgala that he wore during bilateral talks with Obama at Hyderabad House on Sunday were not stripes at all but his full name, Narendra Damodardas Modi. A month later, Modi auctioned the jacket along with 465 items that had been gifted to him since he became Prime Minister in May 2014.
India’s Sustainable PM
In February 2023, during his appearance in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore a sleeveless sky-blue jacket. It was a gift from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) during India Energy Week a few days prior. This particular Modi vest was unique as it was made using material recycled from plastic bottles. It was created by Shree Renga Polymers and Ecoline Clothing, a company that collects used PET bottles, crushes, melts, adds colour and produces fibre, which is made into yarn and garments. This process saves at least 90% water and 50% energy when compared with the traditional process. At that time, it retailed for Rs 2,000, The Print reported.
Khadi All The Way
India has been famous for khadi since the freedom struggle. It was further popularised by Mahatma Gandhi, who created the spinning wheel as a symbol of India’s self-reliance, rural empowerment, and resistance against British colonial rule in 1918. Khadi is a traditional Indian hand-spun and hand-woven natural fibre cloth. It is one of the great equalisers, as khadi bridges the class divide and is meant to bring rich and poor together.
Khadi is also one of the most worn fabrics by PM Modi. He prefers to wear his Modi vests and his bandhgalas in Khadi and has been known to promote this handloom in the international circuit by gifting shawls and vests to other state leaders as well.
But it is not just his Modi vests; the PM also ensures to accessorise his looks like the true fashion icon he is. From either having a pocket square or a pen in his breast pocket to his multi-colour safas and his love for intricately designed shawls, Modi has some great fashion advice if you know where to look. Here’s a glance at his top 3 go-to accessories:
Pocket square
PM Modi loves his pocket squares. For every ensemble he wears to his public appearances, he ensures that he also has a matching pocket square. They are usually neatly folded and peek out just enough that one knows that they are there, but do not distract from his otherwise business-only facade. If not a pocket square, Modi will go old-school and adds a classy pen into his pocket.
Shawls
During the colder months, when he is in India or travelling, when attending any religious celebrations and at solemn events, Modi opts for sophisticated shawls. he will wrap them around himself or casually throw them over his shoulder. Modi particularly loved showcasing different shawls with embroidery and traditional art during his Mann Ki Baat and his videos during the pandemic. It is also a popular gift that he gives to visiting state leaders.
Safa
PM Modi loves to incorporate some splashes of colour into his wardrobe. From his pocket square to his Modi vests, and even kurta-pyjamas, he is not a fan of the typical formal hues. So, whenever he gets a chance, Modi opts for a safa or a head-wrap. From bandhani to tie-dye and leheriya and more. his collection is vast and bursting with colours.
