Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Indian Men Bring Prints and Craft Into Workwear
Men’s office clothes in India are becoming less formal and more varied.
Many men now wear shirts with small prints, interesting textures or traditional Indian designs.
These details can make an outfit distinctive without looking too loud.
Some brands are using craft styles such as Ajrakh and Batik.
Relaxed office rules and working from home have helped change what people wear.
Men also want clothes that feel comfortable throughout the day.
They may wear the same outfit to a meeting and then to dinner or while travelling.
Shirts continue to be an important part of men’s clothing.
Relaxed office dress codes and hybrid work are bringing colour, prints, texture and Indian craft into men’s workwear.
Micro-prints, fine stripes and small geometric patterns are popular because they add detail without appearing too bold.
Designers and brands are incorporating motifs and techniques including Ajrakh, Batik, botanical prints and subtle embroidery.
Shirts remain central to the shift; IMARC estimates that shirts and T-shirts make up 34% of India’s menswear market.
Consumers are seeking versatile, comfortable clothes that can work for meetings, travel, dinner and other occasions.
- Who
- Men’s clothing brands, designers and consumers in India.
- What
- A shift toward printed, textured and craft-inspired shirts and more versatile men’s workwear.
- When
- The article describes a current trend and notes that men are more open to prints than they were a few years ago.
- Where
- India, including workplaces and fashion retail.
- Why
- Relaxed workplace dress codes and hybrid working have encouraged more comfortable, versatile clothing.
- Market estimate
- IMARC estimates that shirts and T-shirts account for 34% of India’s menswear market.
- Shirt campaign
- Galeries Lafayette Mumbai introduced “Shirt Stories,” an edit featuring 4,000 shirts from more than 50 global fashion houses.
- Campaign themes
- “Shirt Stories” groups its shirts under Work, Play and Indulge.
- Popular patterns
- Micro-geometries, fine stripes, small repeats, florals and botanical motifs are among the styles discussed.
- Craft techniques
- The article highlights Ajrakh, Batik, block prints and subtle embroidery.
- Versatile clothing
- Consumers are seeking clothes that can move between professional and personal settings.
- Examples of easy-care clothing
- Uniqlo’s Super Non-Iron Shirt and AIRism Cotton Pique Polo are cited as popular options.