108 BESPOKE

Bored of the same old in Indian Wedding Wear? Here’s an update on the latest wedding trends – and it’s all about bold prints – in velvets! The latest in fabrics, these printed velvets make for very classy Indo-Westerns or Jodhpuris, best work for the Sangeet night! They come in a variety of colours and patterns – which range from traditional to western; thus catering to every kind of groom. We had the chance to make this Indo-Western for our client Mr. Arpit Jain, and the fabric did all the talking. Matched with textured buttons, the detailing was kept at a minimal.What do you guys think?

The wedding guest's guide to wedding dressing. Now that the wedding season is upon us, it’s time for all of you gentlemen to revamp your ethnic wardrobe. And we know, dressing for a wedding which isn’t yours in not an easy job to do! So we’ve compiled a short list here to help you dress for your friend’s/Sister’s/Aunt’s big day, without outdoing the groom. First, the Mehendi: Go all traditional for this one. Wear a classic Kurta-Pyjama set with a simple, but stylish Bandi. Natural fabrics would be the best for this event. So think: Jutes, Linens and Cottons. But of course, bright colours; Or at least, a hint of bright colours. Try a Pathani or a Patiala bottom with the kurta, instead of the regular churidaar. Sangeet Ceremony: The Sangeet is usually THE MOST photographed event of the wedding week, even more than the wedding day. And since we’ve already done traditional for the Mehendi ceremony, time to make this outfit a little Indo-Western. Opt for stylish Bandh...

THE SOCK DRAWER OVERHAUL When it comes to socks, men no longer need to play “match the following” with their pants. The concept of pairing bright socks to brighten up one’s attire has caught on to the fashion world like wildfire. While every man is brought up keeping only one rule in mind regarding socks – that the colour of your sock should match the colour of your trousers – it is fast becoming a fact of the ancient world. A clean cut power suit can be paired with solid colors to make a bold statement during a meeting, whereas a pair of printed socks can be used to turn something as simple as a pair of jeans combined with a white shirt into a photo-perfect look. The easiest step in the handbook is “When in Doubt, Go Classic” – so if you’re only just getting out of the monotony of the ‘trouser-matches-sock’ game, then think no further than the traditional argyle patterned socks! What’s an argyle pattern you ask? It’s those angular plaid patterns which dom...

Choosing the right pocket square can become a stressful exercise, but it really doesn't need to be. And thanks to T.V. shows like Mad Men and the like, pocket squares have come back in popularity and have become an (almost) indispensable part of your suit; so you can’t ignore it either. A good pocket square will add the right amount of drama to what would be an otherwise boring suit, and everybody can do with a little more drama, wouldn't you agree? The most common question that our clients ask us is: should my pocket square match my tie? And the answer to that is, well, no. While it may SEEM like a good idea to match them, in reality, it is not an acceptable way to do things, suit wise. The purpose of the pocket square is to act as a compliment to your suit or of course, your partner’s outfit. And here’s what you can do: for all the single gentlemen out there, if you’re wearing a solid tie, make sure the pocket square is a pattern with the base matching your ti...

At 108 Bespoke we have always maintained that the most important thing about the Groom’s Trousseau (yes, that is a thing now) should be variety (after fit, of course!) and as designers, maintaining variety can become a tricky business in a country like India, where we are always looking for reasons to celebrate. No complaints from us, most certainly! But this past year, with close to a hundred wedding clients under our belt, we have come to realize how much more the modern Indian is leaning towards traditional formal dressing. Which brings us to the ‘Bandhgala’ or how we like to think of it – the Indian Tuxedo; the Bandhgala has been a  favourite  of Bollywood celebrities from the Red Carpets to their Weddings, and it never disappoints! It is the right blend between the modern and traditional. Combined with its Royal appeal, it is India’s answer to the Tuxedo. And we love it! Your Engagement ceremony would be the best place to start, if  you've  ...

Monsoon Must – Haves Rain, rain, go away; come again, another day…… For all those who wish such wishes, keep in mind that the cool showers are slave to none. So rather than fearing nature’s blessing, take pride in every stride by keeping in mind the following monsoon mantras: Trench - Trendy Trench and duster coats are a faultless choice for this quarter of year. While Trench coats are a more formal option, Duster coats are absolutely versatile, as impeccable with jeans as they are with a dress.For an androgynous look, a mid-length coat works well with washed-out denims. For a more minimalistic look, thigh length coats work best paired with a dress.    Pretty in PVC PVC, silicon and acrylic accessories are the need of the hour. Pick from translucent   candy shades to add colour to an otherwise gloomy day.   Apart from being a 100% waterproof, lightweight, efficient and absolutely trendy, these will be a good replacement for...

One of the most popular fabrics for the summer is linen. It's light, breathable, and comes in a variety of summer colors. With the weather heating up all over the country, sometimes your poly blend, wrinkle-free office shirts just won't cut it. You need something comfortable, but that still makes a style statement. We at 108 believe that this can be an addition to not only your casual wardrobe but your office wardrobe too! Colors such as blues, lavenders, pinks, oranges and yellows are trending this season.  Styled with a pair of light formal trousers or chinos, linens give you that effortlessly stylish Friday dressing look. For a more casual look, jeans, linen trousers and darker chinos do the job. 

Men's shirts are going well beyond the realm of plain, checked and striped. Contemporary designs are coming up, and one trend in particular is taking the market by storm. Contrast-paneled shirts are a really great statement piece for your wardrobe. They're a bold alternative to your traditional prints for a dapper, yet unique look. You can go two ways - tonal or color contrast. Tonal contrasts are shirts that are paneled in tones of one color. Blues, blacks, greys are good colors for these. Contrasts of different colors are a bolder, more fun alternative for those willing to take a bit of a risk. You can even panel a print/check/stripe with a plain base - the combinations are endless! We at 108 love experimenting, so if you're in the mood for one of these - definitely stop by for a custom made, one of a kind contrast-paneled shirt! Photo credits: asos.com

Wearing a tux can be a real defining point in a man's life/wardrobe. It's so dapper that the moment you put that bow tie on and look in the mirror, you feel like a whole new person! We've seen that look in some of our clients, and there's nothing like it. One way to really add something to your tux is to play with the color of your shirt. A classic white tuxedo shirt is timeless, but with new trends and people willing to experiment every day - it is only fitting that we challenge tradition a bit and come up with a few more fashionable, trendy alternatives. Blues, pinks, lavenders - and for the more adventurous few, red, yellow and purple tuxedo shirts are in vogue. Pair them with your classic tux for a pop of color, and you'll be the talk of the room, we guarantee! Tried and tested by celebrities!

If you're looking to build a more stylish wardrobe, but don't know where to start, then you need to forget the big picture and focus on the smaller details. Because small details can go a long way, all the while maintaining your fuss-free dressing routine. This is for men who tend to dress safe - but want to add new features to your otherwise  sombre  wardrobe. Where do you begin? 1) Colour: If you usually lean towards safe colours like Dark greys, Navys and Dark browns for your suits and think checks and patterns are too risky for you, move towards lighter and brighter tones in similar colours. Opt for a brighter blue instead of a navy, pick a very light grey or choose browns which have a little texture on them. Alternatively, if you WANT to add other colours to your personal collection, pick more sober versions of otherwise bold colours like a red or a green and pick a deep maroon or a dark emerald instead. 2) Design: If you're a corporate...

Suit accessories add a touch of dapper class to any formal blazer that you own. These can take a business suit and make it more appropriate for say, a work dinner or a party. We at 108 recommend these for your wardrobe to jazz up your workwear! The best part? Everything you see is available at our store! 1. Lapel Pins Trendy, easy to wear. Definitely racks up the dapper points. 2. Ties A classic addition to any suit. You can go from safe, reliable monochromes to the contrasting, bright ones we have here! 3. Pocketwatch  For the Victorian buff. A pocketwatch worn with your waistcoat transports you to the early 19th century. 4. Cufflinks  French cuffs are incomplete without these little guys. Swap out your traditional square cufflinks to more rounded ones, or rectangular ones. And don't be afraid to wear colored ones! 5. Bow Ties  A bow tie is a conversation starter. Switch up your tie for a bow tie next time you head out and see the difference!...

Dressing up for work or that big meeting you have with a potential investor can be loads of fun when you have a good range of well-fitting workwear to choose from. But for the plus sized woman, there are very limited options in the market. Sizes are limiting , and are often not accurate, leaving a large percentage of people to compromise on fit just because of their size, which is very inconvenient. We realize that and are here to help! Ours is a one-stop for all your plus sized workwear (be it blouses, skirts, blazers or trousers) and formal wear dresses . Ready-made clothing can only give you a limited selection, but you can come to us with a design or color that you like, and we can build your look around it, with personal styling tips! We create custom made pattern s for each customer and do not work on sizing - something that limits the ready-wear market greatly. Each body is different, and everyone's needs are unique . We understand this and are here to help you ...

A valid question. Why take the effort of getting your clothes custom made when you can pick them off the rack? You'll be saving time, money and effort. But are saving on these 'costs' justified? Previously, bespoke clothing was only associated with the elite. The cost of a custom-made suit in say, the US is comparatively higher, making made-to-measure clothing inaccessible for a large number of people. Which is quite unfair, as everyone should have access to well-fitting clothing. But now, India has made it affordable for everyone to be able to wear well-fitting clothing, as the culture of tailoring is so popular. Individualization of clothing is something that has been coming up for quite a while now. Be it teenage girls adding bits of lace or sequins to that old denim jacket, or men adding badges and lapel pins to their blazers - everyone wants their clothing to be their own. Mass production can only do so much, and bespoke tailoring takes individualization to the...

As a follow up to part 1, all you ladies who want to know the essentials that go in to a workwear wardrobe, this one is for you. 1. A colored top     This works as a standalone piece or something to wear under a blazer. Go for jewel tones instead of the usual black, white or red to add some interest. 2. A colored blazer     You need an alternative to the black or blue that you own on days when you're going out after work. 3. White shirt/blouse     Enough said. Works for interviews, presentations and with a necklace, you're good to hit a few clubs. 4. Pencil skirt   Worn with a blouse/shirt and a pair of heels, that's power dressing for you. 5. Skinny Belt    An absolute essential. A woman is not fully dressed unless she has a belt on. Can be used with pants, skirts or dresses. 6. Black pumps    A pair that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Preferably leather. 7. Black Blazer   A timeless piece. Th...

A women's work attire should be the one section of her wardrobe she is extremely confident of. You don't need a multitude of options to be well-dressed to work. You just need to follow a few rules to be able to revamp or start your own workwear wardrobe!

Don't get me wrong. I adore shopping. Stepping into a mall and leaving with heavy bags and an extremely light purse is what I love doing. But when it comes to workwear, I feel like that is something you can't compromise on, especially in terms of fit. And the problem is, commercial brands in the market work in sizes. What if you're inbetween a 6 and an 8? What if the smallest or largest size isn't right either? What if the shirt fits, but the sleeves are too tight? I cannot count the number of times I've had an interview or a formal event and have run out to get an outfit and have come back with either nothing or a badly fitted garment which I have to promptly attack with my own sewing machine or request a tailor to help me. But there is a solution to this. Customized, bespoke womenswear. We at 108 Bespoke understand the struggle both women and men go through to find clothes (especially workwear) that fits right. So we let you control everything from the...

The black tuxedo is timeless, there's no disputing that. But as color trends come around each season, why limit their usage to only the shirts or ties? Let's incorporate it in the whole suit! Keeping the suave, dapper silhouette of a tux in mind, there are loads of color options that one can go for. Whites, grays, reds, blues and even green tuxedos make quite the impression at weddings and other parties. Lapels that used to traditionally be made of satin are now in leather finish, velvet or printed fabrics. Go with a bow tie to match your lapel or your suit itself. Or if you really want to make a statement, go with something contrasting. So, the next time you need a tuxedo, look at some colorful options!

Suit care is an integral part of determining your garment's lifespan. A well-cared for suit can last a man up to decades. We have customers buying suits from us every day, so if any of you have questions on how to give your suit a little TLC - this post is for you! DO - Brush your suit with a lint roller and a suit brush after every use. This takes off the outer layer of dust and fibers it may have accumulated. After all, your suit is usually the outermost garment that you wear. - Steam it, don't iron it regularly. Your iron usually has a steamer setting, so any wrinkles can be eliminated with a few puffs. If your suit is extremely wrinkled, once in a while, it's alright to press it. - Air your suit once in a while. In a country like India, you're bound to sweat in it quite a bit. It needs that bit of R&R before it can be worn again. - Use moth balls or dried lavender pouches in your suit closet. Moths love the dark and the damp an...