How Ranveer Singh breaks the rulebook as a bona fide fashion chamaleon

There was a time when the men of Bollywood only dressed within markers set with a limited idea of masculinity. Tailored suits, leather jackets, the occasional kurta - the silhouettes made available by these influential figures were safe, expected and predictable. Ranveer Singh’s arrival into the scene acted as a bludgeoning blow to these expectations, shattering what was once conceived as the norm in men’s fashion. Singh's fashion sensibilities can't be contained within your conventional definition. 

If the actor chooses to embrace a traditionally masculine silhouette in one of his looks, he then subverts expectations by outrightly rejecting them in a following fashion appearance. It doesn’t feel like Ranveer is here to create a political message; it instead comes off as natural, an actor embracing the many shades that exist within him and simply choosing to explore. 

(Also Read: What makes Ranveer Singh the crown prince of couture)

Ranveer's tryst with skirts began in 2017, when he wore a black striped kilt designed by Rajesh Pratap Singh layered over trousers, finished with an Armani belt and Christian Louboutin Chelsea boots, to an award function. Since then, the Dhurandhar actor has been spotted in skirts or kilts numerous times, treating the once shocking silhouette as just another piece in his rotation. Of course, it doesn’t end there.

Throughout the course of Ranveer’s career, he has experimented with a mix of colours, prints and silhouettes that most of his contemporaries would veer away from. Ranveer’s fashion choices push back on the binary notion that fashion must align with gender, suggesting instead that at the end of the day, these are just fabrics, colours and forms that exist beyond these constraints. 

During his Gully Boy promotional tour in 2019, Ranveer had even gained a nickname circulating by the hashtag SullyBoy as he appeared in a shaggy blue faux fur jacket that resembled the Monsters Inc. character. Following that came the 2022 Jayeshbhai Jordaar promotions that perhaps feature the most eclectic set of outfits and fashion choices that truly push the boundaries of men’s fashion in India.

With colourful patterns, pastel co-ords, pearl accessories and more, Ranveer’s outfits featured a sense of gender fluidity that had yet to be seen in Bollywood before. Add to this his collaborations with designer Sabyasachi, which have perhaps been his loudest fashion moments yet. With mismatched patterns, vintage accessories and immaculate styling, Ranveer had become a style icon that no longer competed with the rest of Bollywood, creating a league of his own. Ranveer’s presence in the fashion world would only keep growing with many new endeavours and opportunities coming his way, even serving as the face for the Gucci x Adidas collaboration, where he yet again showcased a set of looks that would set him apart. 

This plays a crucial role within the Indian context. A leading actor in the industry challenging the standards set by preexisting notions of gender and masculinity is not simply a fashion endeavour; it is a quiet revolution. Ranveer’s presence in the fashion industry acts as a subversion of everything that defines masculinity; it asks the question whether wearing pink or pearls truly strips one of their masculinity.

When an actor of Ranveer’s stature and box office pulls presents himself experimenting and creating space for femininity within himself, it normalises a more unrestricted look towards fashion for the millions of fan following that he has gathered during his tenure. With each headline-grabbing outfit, Ranveer chips away a little more at the idea that Indian masculinity has only one acceptable shape. 

(Also Read: Ranveer Singh's ethnic outing at the airport, and more)

Text by Judah Abujam 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews