Men’s Fashion Post COVID-19

With months spent at home, wearing nothing but pyjamas and the occasional formal shirt for those endlessly long zoom meetings, will we ever go back to the way things were pre-COVID?

So, we asked Karan Mulchandani – CEO of Nandlal Vijaykumar (an 85 year old business which manufactures and trades in premium cotton and other natural shirting fabrics) what his thoughts were on a few menswear fashion trends post this crisis.

Any specific trends you notice in terms of men’s shirting fabric that we should watch out for?

Karan Mulchandani: After wearing soft, comfortable clothes for such a long time, we will all want to continue that trend and not compromise on comfort. People will go for lighter construction fabrics which are more breathable like soft brushed cotton flannels (made popular by the Japanese) to make it softer and lighter. Cotton-lycra, with its stretch property will also see a rise in sales due to its ability to provide a comfortable and relaxed fit.

Natural fibers with healing properties will be the need of the hour. Sustainability will play a role in the decision making of a customer and fabrics like tencel, modal, bamboo and organic cottons will be sought out by the customer. 

• 

However, there will also be a need for performance fabrics like anti-wrinkle and anti-stain fabrics, especially with the corporate clientele.

• 

What’s your take on 2020 style, post COVID-19 of course?

Karan Mulchandani: To be honest most people today still have to dress up in their formal shirts for video meetings. Though wearing just boxers below! But in my experience of over 8 years in this industry, classic styles and solid colors will never go out of style. The well-tailored and customized crisp white shirt, besides being extremely versatile will also continue to serve as a fashion staple in every man’s wardrobe. Also, one can never go wrong with solid colors since prints can sometimes be a bit daunting for a few customers.

• 

Ever since Covid-19 has struck, have you noticed a change in demand for certain fabrics?

Karan Mulchandani: Surprisingly, yes! My fabric is now being distributed globally to make masks. The fabric must be anti-bacterial and anti-stain, while being breathable. This might even turn out to be a style statement with a matching shirt, who can tell what the future holds?

Whether it is casual or formal clothes, our choices will have developed to be more conventional. We will come out of the COVID with a new perspective. People have understood themselves better and their approach towards fashion will showcase this change in trend. So, I’m sure once this lock down ends, we might just need a whole new wardrobe! (Maybe even with matching masks!)