Style File: Akshay Kumar epitomises sprezzatura

There’s something about Akshay Kumar’s style. The Khiladi has always been a far cry from being a fashionista. With him it’s never been about the labels he’s sported. None of his appearances have been about creating an Insta frenzy. And most importantly, he’s never been a slave to any trend. Despite all of this when you see any image of him, you don’t see his clothes but an attitude, an effortlessness, a rakish nonchalance. Without even trying, he manages to lend every look his personal touch, which perhaps makes him the coolest dresser in B-Town. 

In a sea of dandies who follow the style diktat template, he’s one guy who’s never cared about clothes or brands and stood out each time he’s been photographed. From his tinted aviator sunnies that sharpen his already well-defined jawline to his athleisure track-pants with one sleeve folded halfway exposing his taut leg (which has become his signature and has also been copied by actors across the board) to his sharp classic suits. Not long ago, he cut a fine figure on the red carpet in a three-piece suit which he teamed with a skull print tie. Twinkle Khanna’s better half completed the look with his killer smile, trademark sprezzatura and a walking stick which also had a skull motif. There’s always a badass appeal, a tinge of rock and roll and a to-hell-with-it attitude which makes him an off-the-wall sartorial study.

A white jumper teamed with a pair of denims or a pair of camouflage pants has been a recurring presence in his closet. Perhaps there’s an army man within him, which comes across in his dressing style given his penchant for camouflage print driving shoes and moccasins. He has also not shied away from leopard print loafers even though he keeps the rest of his look understated.  

INDIA’S ANSWER TO GEORGE CLOONEY

His salt-and-pepper visage makes him one of B-Town’s hottest men who’ve also managed to strike a balance between work and family life. That beautiful balance between the rough-and-tumble of the film world and his family obligations. Designer Nikhil Thampi says, “The fact that he’s so manly and rugged makes him the very epitome of alpha masculinity. His salt-and-pepper avatar has everyone drooling over him. He’s embracing his age in a sexy manner. He’s aged gracefully and is an inspiration to so many people. I’d love to see him sport a custom-made athleisure brand since he’s the metaphor for fitness. Having said that, he’s quite quirky in his own zone. For me, he’s the Gucci man whose masculinity stands out even in a floral suit.”

HAS FUN WITH HIS SHOES

Stylist Eshaa Aminn, who styled the superstar in Singh Is Bliing elaborates on his flirtation with the non-lace animal print shoes. “His shoes are often without tie-up lace detailing since he likes to perform action stunts himself. He loves his full-sleeved T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers in which he can head to the shoot directly from the gym post his workout. He loves beanies and caps and of course, his trusty Ray-Ban sunnies. He knows what works for him,” says Eshaa. 

In Singh Is Bliing, Aminn gave AK an array of cowl-neck kurtas and he was seen sporting lungis paired with denim shirts. “At the outset, he left everything to me and then after seeing what works on his body type, he guided me. He’s open to experimenting and suggestions. Even though he played a Sardar three times before, he was up for a different look. We gave him Antar Agni customised kurtas and had fun with his pagdis and bandanas. We also gave him dungarees teaming them with sleeveless vests. He likes to have fun with his neckline and doesn’t shy away from gathered ruched T-shirts, long-line T-shirts with asymmetric silhouette. Not surprisingly, he’s got a great understanding of fabrics. He’d often say, ‘I love the feel of the T-shirt’. He’s one of those few people who can carry off a sleeveless tee with a bomber jacket,” says Eshaa. 

SWAGGER MEETS HUMOUR

“He’s athletic and he also gives one an impression that he’s about to pull off a stunt any minute. He’s got swagger,” says stylist Isha Bhansali.  The fact that he’s in killer shape and combine that with his cool family man appeal and his witty humour — he brings a certain personality to every look. “There’s something about his style which is unmissable, the way he puts his thoughts into clothing — he wears whatever he wants to wear, which is amazing. He wears regular stuff like a pair of track pants (one leg sleeve rolled up) but he gives it a twist. He’s not about brands and he takes the most mundane piece of wardrobe and gives his touch. Aviators work wonderfully well for him given his brilliant jawline. Even on the red carpet, he’s seen in classic suits and he’s never extravagantly head-turning. He’s not a tuxedo guy but brings a certain casual, chilled out appeal to each look he sports,” adds Isha. 

A DISCIPLINED MAN 

Menswear specialist designer Gaurav Khanijo attributes Akshay’s style chameleon-like quality to his healthy and disciplined lifestyle. “He's a very disciplined man who wakes up in the morning, has a strict fitness regime. So dressing well comes naturally to him and he clearly doesn’t need a stylist. Some people are just born with it and men like Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are those. AK likes his joggers and sweatshirts. He pulls off well-cut suits rather well since he’s in great shape. Also, on the red carpet, he plays around with each look a lot. All in all, he’s got it all and he loves what he wears. There’s a unique star quality to it,” says Gaurav.  

Stylist Anisha Jain seconds that. “It’s amazing to see him experiment, for instance, his take on the jumpsuit. He was one of the first actors in India to team a classic suit with a pair of sneakers on the red carpet. He is always open to trying something different and new. The fact that he’s so secure comes across in his dressing. He’s not afraid to have fun with his clothes unlike his contemporaries,” says Anisha.