Atif Aslam’s style evolution over the years and how it adds to his star power

Pakistani male musicians are not prone to taking risks in fashion, but the 'Yakeen' singer is slowly paving the way

LAHORE:

Atif Aslam is officially in his rockstar era, or so it seems when one does a deep-dive through his Instagram profile to find some very interesting looks — the likes of which he has been sporting of late. From brighter colours to different textures to unique silhouettes and intriguing patterns and prints, the Tere Sang Yaara singer has become more experimental in his fashion choices and overall style. 

When taking centre stage in front of audiences composed of thousands and amid large, expansive concert halls and stadiums, performers need to stand out, and it looks like the Dil Diyan Gallan crooner has found the perfect way to do just that. 

The rockstar’s wardrobe of staples

When thinking of the quintessential rockstar, the mind conjures up an image of a young, cool-looking man dressed in a black leather jacket, swaying his body, or banging his head to the beat of the music while holding a guitar or a microphone as an accessory. 

In many ways, the black leather jacket has become a symbol and a staple for musicians, but there are only so many ways an entertainer can rock one before it starts to take on the status of a uniform. 

At some point, innovation is necessary. Well, it appears as though Atif realised that and spiced up his leather jacket game accordingly. His black leather jackets encrusted with metal studs or adorned with metal ornaments like safety pins, zippers, buckles, and buttons are a testament to the fact that he has always understood the assignment and delivered what was expected of him.   

Apart from the classic leather jacket, another type of clothing that is believed to be a staple of the wardrobes of enigmatic and awe-inspiring musicians is the often-obnoxious and mostly worn-down graphic t-shirt. While the Yakeen singer does not seem to be a big fan of graphic t-shirts, he does display a fondness for designer-branding t-shirts and is often spotted wearing shirts with names of the most-high end luxury boutiques written across his chest in lettering that can be read from the mile away.

Logomania—nothing subtle here

With an impressive discography that’s listened to by millions of fans and music lovers the world over, the Tera Hone Laga Hoon singer has often opted for outfits that would resonate with a more global audience. Donning jackets with a high-end designer label’s logo printed throughout or wearing blazers embossed with a finer, more subtle, but still logo-centric print has been Atif’s way of connecting with international viewers, concertgoers, and fans who happen to be more well-acquainted with the luxury fashion houses originating in the West than the average Pakistani fan.

Clothing splashed with logos is often seen to be too loud or thought of as tacky even, but coming into the rockstar persona is all about flaunting subtlety in favour of boldness and it appears as though Aslam has embarked on his journey to making less typical and more fashion-forward clothing choices.

Adding more character to classics 

The Sang-e-Mah actor has always made a strong effort to represent his country, Pakistan, on the world stage. His focus has always been to spread the voice of his nation overseas through his music and also visually represent it by attiring himself in traditional silhouettes. 

While Atif’s vibrant and embellished jackets worn atop a relatively simple canvas of plain t-shirt and jeans are a must when it comes to his live performances, his traditional sherwanis and kurta-pajama combos are also not far behind in the list of dressing options. 

But even when the Aadat crooner decides to go the traditional or classic route with his fashion, he is not afraid to take risks. Embroidered kurtas, embellished waistcoats, and hand-worked shawls are just some of the pieces he incorporates into his looks to elevate whatever desi silhouette he sets his mind on for a particular occasion.   

Although Atif’s style evolution is far from reaching its final stages, he is off to a good start and likely paving the way for many male musicians after him to take the cue and be bolder with their fashion and styling choices. By his example, artists will learn how to navigate the interconnecting entertainment and fashion spaces, make more fashion-forward statements with their outfits, and stand out amongst the crowd without losing sight of who they are and still retaining their own personal style.