Style quotient: Ayushmann Khurrana on his sartorial evolution and taking style risks

In a short span of time, actor Ayushmann Khurrana has emerged to be a make-you-sit-up-and-take-note kinda dresser, both on and off the red carpet. The Chandigarh dude rarely has a dull style moment and has successfully carved out his unique brand of style. Given the multi-faceted individual that he is, straddling the worlds of cinema, music, theatres and writing — Khurrana’s style is rather off-kilter and a pastiche of ideas and influences. One look at his pap shots pouring into our mailboxes, and one can vouch that the Vicky Donor hottie takes his style rather seriously and isn’t scared of venturing out of his comfort zone. 

From his penchant for statement pleats and drapes to his inclination towards asymmetrical silhouettes — he isn’t your average suited B-Town actor trying to hide beneath a black tuxedo. If one sits down to carefully analyse all his looks, then one can easily deduce that he’s struck that elusive balance between sportified masculinity and dandified athleisure. From rocking souvenir bomber jackets with sneakers to teaming his draped kurtas with brogues — he’s easily one of the most promising dressers, who enjoys indulging in fashion and isn’t coy about it. In an interface with After Hrs, he talks about his grooming regime, shopping sprees, favourite brands and following some of the coolest style mavens on Instagram...

Do you brainstorm with your stylist Isha Bhansali? 

I think, it’s a mix of both — you take a stylist, who has a mix of your sensibility and then you work with it. The best part about having a stylist is that she wants to change a bit of you at the same time, otherwise, it’ll become a routine. Isha really pushes the envelope and she experiments with me a lot so it should be in my comfort zone.

How do you interpret your style? 

I guess, I wear different clothes for different occasions — I have sported track-pants for my concerts, of late, which was good fun. A pair of track-pants teamed with white keds and sweatshirts — I sported that look recently, and it’s been one of my favourite looks. These days, I’ve stopped wearing white shoes, gravitated towards brogues and leather shoes.

Do you shop on your travels? 

It’s need-based. If I have to have a new pair of black shoes, then I’ll buy them. I fancy certain brands when I go abroad like I love Topman Designs — it’s quite on point. So I tend to buy clothes, which are different or off-centre. I think Topman is one such brands, which should not come to India.  

Indian designers you follow...  

I follow designer Ujjawal Dubey of label Antar Agni, who started with Shantanu and Nikhil, and has carried forward his unique aesthetic and reinterpreted it in his own way. Also, the fact that he does it in linen which suits the weather. After Ujjawal, a lot of designers tried aping that style, but I love how he’s made this brand for himself. In fact, I walked the ramp for him two seasons ago.        

Your take on the airport look craze...

In fact, mostly, I take it easy with my airport looks. I may repeat my jacket and normally my stylist may or may not give me a look for airport. It’s incidental. When I’m going home to Chandigarh then I’m in my T-shirt and jeans. I don’t think much about the airport look. If you’re trying too hard for it, it’s a turnoff.

Watch or shoe?

I think both, it has to be a combination of both. It has to go with the entire outfit. Earlier, I would wear a lot of sporty, colourful watches and now, I’m done with that. Now, I’m moving towards a classic style watch. I have a decent collection of watches — metallic, leather and sporty. Essentially, I’m a shoe guy and love sneakers.

Which city according to you is the fashion capital of the world? 

New York, for sure. To be specific, Manhattan 10 years ago, I was surprised to see that people were ready to walk the  ramp. I got a complex and actually started looking at my clothes. It happens to you in Manhattan. That was the first exposure to dressing up well. I was there for seven days and from then on I started dressing up well and my style evolution started from there. Before that, I was quite basic.

Do you take style risks?

I think if your body is proportionate, asymmetric silhouettes look good on you. I think my body is on the leaner side so it works. The asymmetric pieces also work for people, who’re slightly bloated. It covers everything. It’s good for everyone.