Summer calling: Pakistan’s ‘menchant’ for fashion and fitness

While Imran Khan opts for shalwar kameez, Moammar Rana looks forward to wearing his ‘Superman’ tee

KARACHI:

As Pakistani men glory in securing third place on a poll ranking the sexiest nationalities in the world, there can’t be a better time to assess what makes them worthy of the accolade. With Fawad Khan being recently voted the third most desirable man in the world, and Ali Zafar bagging the ‘Most Stylist Import’ award in India, people may want to take note of what makes these men so suave. The Express Tribune speaks to dapper men in acting, music, sports, fashion and politics to explore their health and style mantra and what sartorial choices to make this summer.

Dressing in professional clothes comes with multiple benefits. Not only is it a likely requirement of your workplace, but such attire is also designed to make you appear confident, clean and polished. But the hot as blazes season may repel you from dressing dapper. Do not fear as you can always beat the heat by donning light colours.



But for Aisamul Haq, bright is the way to go this season. “I’m playing 11 out of 12 months and my entire summer is spent in Europe. I love bright colours,” says the tennis player, who is currently touring Europe for tournaments. “My style statement is donning a floral bright print shirt with jeans.” Designer Kamiar Rokni also suggests men to not be afraid of colour this season. For him, summer is all about pastels, white and linen. “I love my mandarin collared linen shirts,” he says.

While some men may feel uncomfortable wearing flamboyant hues, most may find shades of blue, grey and khaki an agreeable option. Opt for linen shirts and spread-collar cotton shirts with a splash of tints, and work with stripe-on-stripe patterns.

There is no simpler way to look sharp than by wearing the right summer trousers and chinos are en vogue. Although they are considered informal, they can look refined paired with a blazer, suit jacket or old-school white linen oxford shirts. And according to Rokni, “Wear clothes that fit well. Nothing is worse than ill-fitted garments.”

As temperatures soar, breezier fabrics should make their way into your wardrobe. Light cotton and linen work best as they’re both breathable and lightweight. Polyester, rayon and lining in suits are not as forgiving in this scorching season. Acting veteran Javed Sheikh, who recently returned from Simla after completing Imtiaz Ali’s Ranbir Kapoor- and Deepika Padukone-starrer Tamasha, prefers wearing linen in the summer. “Jeans are a no-no for me. I have linen suits in white and pastel shades of yellow and blue. I even own a light pink jacket.”

Known for his iconic sense of style, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan shares what summer means to him. “Summer was my favourite time when I was younger. I used to swim in the canal right in front of Zaman Park, which was not polluted as it is now.” He adds, “For many years now, shalwar kameez have been my most preferred attire.” Actor Moammar Rana calls for going casual this summer. “I love being in my favourite Superman t-shirt. I only wear shalwar kameez for Friday prayers or on Eid,” he says, adding that he admires how Don Jonson from Miami Vice dresses up.



Sheikh’s son and actor Shahzad Sheikh likes to spend the summer in jeans, white linen pants and moccasins. “My motto is to keep it casual and not to overdo fashion,” he says. Actor Mikaal Zulfiqar prefers wearing linen pants, shirts and t-shirts in the summer. “You won’t ever see me in shorts,” he says. Musician Farhad Humayun’s personal summer style comprises blue jeans and black t-shirts. “With due respect, I don’t wear Pakistani designers. They don’t fit me well,” he says.

Ali Zafar’s style mantra is simple: once you get comfortable in your own skin, you feel comfortable in anything you wear. On bagging the honour at the Hindustan Times’ Delhi’s Most Stylish Awards 2015, Zafar states, “I’ve always wanted to inspire more than intimidate with my sense of style, and it feels great to be recognised on such a big platform twice in a row.” Almost a decade since the ‘Channo’ days, when he donned an electric blue jacket, he says he is humbled to still be considered as stylish.

When the heat starts to mount, men usually don’t have as many footwear options as women. Sockless shoes, boat shoes, moccasins and Italian loafers are your best bets. Loafers have a dressier silhouette that makes them work with a suit as long as they are not dingy. Stepping out in a pair of Converse shoes is popular this season. As for hairstyles, slick side-parting is a dominant trend this season. Side-part your hair to get the effect of an undercut without shaving hair. The polished hair trend is going strong this season and not only does it keep hair off the face but also helps maintain a natural classic wave.

Of his eating preferences this season, Khan shares, “My lunch in the summer comprises yogurt, grapes, mangoes and lassi.” Khan says that, prior to pursuing a career in politics, he used to spend two months trekking in the mountains every summer. “Exercise is something I never compromise on. I advise the youth there is no substitute for it. It slows down the aging process, builds up resistance and is a great stress-reliever,” he states. As for Haq, who doesn’t consider himself as a foodie, his mantra is to “eat to live and live to play.”

With five movies releasing this year, Javed Sheikh keeps himself hydrated with a lot of nimbu paani, fruits and salads. While Zulfiqar also prefers indulging in nimbu paani to satiate his thirst in the summer, Shahzad Sheikh says coconut water keeps him cool. Discussing his fitness mantra, actor Shamoon Abbasi says, “Watermelon is my favourite fruit, which I have for lunch along with Caesar salad. As most of the time I’m on a diet, fruits and swimming help me stay in shape in the summer.”

Writer heads the wardrobe and styling department at Express News.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2015.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.