Know all about Safari Suits and its Trends for Men

Safari Suits are clothing designed for cross-country travel. Safari jackets were initially designed for military purposes in Britain due to their cool fabric and were to be used in warm climatic conditions.

Another application of the Safari suit was during jungle safaris, where its light green color was used as camouflage, allowing militants to blend in with the natural surroundings. It was also the most common type of clothing worn by professionals in both government and non-government organizations.

Origin and History

The safari suit was given to India as a gift by the British Raj.

In India, the Safari suit was seen as a significant departure from Gandhi's Khadi to a new modern western dress code. Safari Suits became popular among the general public only after 1990, when Reliance Industries began manufacturing Safari Suit clothing in India. Previously, access was restricted to the bureaucratic and political classes.

Another major reason for safari suits' popularity in India is their low cost and ease of use. Famous Indians who have worn the Safari suit include industrialist Rahul Bajaj, cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, and late Bollywood stars Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna.

Safari suits over cotton vest became popular in the United Arab Emirates, South East Asia, and Africa, in addition to India. Furthermore, safari suits were a popular style in Pop culture and were frequently seen in James Bond films.

Style

The safari suit had gained such popularity that it was unofficially designated as the official uniform for urban educated professionals. As the popularity of the safari suit grew, the bureaucratic uniform quickly became a fashion statement at weddings, parties, and other public events. The safari suit quickly became a status symbol for the city's elite and professionals.

Due to their casual and comfortable design, safari suits were also known as leisure suits. Safari jackets were originally designed for military use, so they had rough and tough styles with patch pockets and open collars. In addition, the fabric used was coarse and thick. The suit can be worn belted or unbelted. A round hat is one of the most common safari suit accessories.

Safari Jacket

Over the years, the overall style has evolved, making this timeless piece of clothing even more appealing and in sync with today's trends. Finer fabrics are also used, as opposed to the coarser materials used previously. 

Innovations

Safari suits have undergone numerous changes over time, including changes in the purpose for which they are worn. With the change in usability, finer cloth, such as linen, khadi, and cotton, is used to make Safari Jackets. Furthermore, the collars have been significantly altered and are now more 'shirt-like' and smaller.

A Safari jacket can perfectly complement a woman's desire to dress with a 'on the edge' appeal. At the same time, a Safari jacket allows any man to exude manliness while making a chic and understated style statement. The safari suit is available in both full and short sleeves. The colors are generally lighter in tone.

Making a Fashion Statement

A nice tie in a contrasting color would add the X-factor for men, making them look both classy and trendy.

Weather Suitability

Traditional safari suits are ideal for hot and humid weather because they are made of heat-resistant fabrics such as cotton, linen, or khadi. However, because fashion has updated the basic style of the Safari suit, it is now available in warmer materials such as Tweed or wool, making it suitable for colder climates as well.

Maintenance

Machine washing is recommended for Safari Suits made of cotton or linen. However, for sturdier fabrics that require more care, such as Tweed or Wool, dry cleaning is the best option.

Interesting Facts and Comparisons

Roger Moore donned safari in three James Bond films: The Man with the Golden Sun, Moonraker, and Octopussy.

While returning from the United Nations summit with colleagues of various ages, regions, and backgrounds, Natwar Singh, an Indian diplomat, and ex-foreign minister, noticed that each of them was dressed in Safari suits.