Hello grooms, what a time to be one. Remember when all eyes at a wedding were on the bride? I’m sure you don’t because in today’s times, Indian grooms are equally stealing the spotlight, making bold, Instagram-worthy statements in their sherwanis.
From subtle ivories to electric emeralds, sherwanis are the canvas, and every shade is a mood. If you think “groomwear” means boring beige, you’re about to have your mind blown.
Why Sherwanis for Indian Grooms? (A Short, Fun History)
Sherwanis aren’t just outfits; they’re an integral part of our Indian wedding heritage, dating back to royal courts and Mughal princes. Traditionally a sign of nobility and elegance, the modern sherwani is a fashion statement for grooms who want to stand out without shouting.
Sherwanis empower our Indian grooms to be classic, contemporary, or a bit of both. They come in luxurious fabrics—silk, brocade, velvet, and cotton—and lend themselves to almost any colour, from elegant whites to out-there neons.
Viral Sherwani Shades & What’s Hot Right Now?
Let’s break down the hottest shades blowing up on Instagram, Pinterest, and wedding reels across India. Each shade trend is inspired by real grooms, designers, and celebrity shaadis.
Classic Ivory & White Sherwani
Ivory and white sherwani have become the “It look” of Indian weddings—timeless, understated, but always elegant.
- Why Ivory & White Sherwani Look works:
- Clean look
- Regal touch
- Suits almost every skin tone.
- How to style Ivory & White Sherwani:
- Add gold/silver accents
- Pastel saafas (turbans), or
- Bright pocket squares for pop.
- Seen on:
Virat Kohli, Vicky Kaushal, countless influencers.
Earthy Pastel Color Sherwani
Pastels are no longer just for summer weddings or bridesmaids! Think mint, powder blue, peach, blush, and sage, grooms are loving these for day and destination weddings.
- Why does the Pastel color Sherwani work?
- Refreshing Look
- Modern feel
- “Photo-friendly” in natural light.
- How to style a Pastel color Sherwani?
- Pair with tone-on-tone stoles,
- Delicate floral embroidery,
- Contrasting shoes.
- Seen on:
Siddharth Malhotra, modern Punjabi grooms, and fashion-forward couples.
Jewel Tones in Sherwani
Want your photos to pop? Emerald, ruby, royal blue, and deep maroon sherwanis are making headlines at night weddings, Sangeets, and high-glam receptions.
- Why does Jewel Tone Sherwani work?
- Looks luxurious
- Great dramatic effect,
- Works well with gold or silver work.
- How to Jewel Tone Sherwani Style:
Choose contrast accessories—- a mustard or gold saafa,
- pearl strings,
- metallic footwear.
- Seen on:
Ranveer Singh (of course!), South Indian celebrity grooms.
Statement Greens in Sherwani
2024-25 is the era of “green grooms.” Sage, bottle green, and even neon lime have gone viral—thanks to celebrity weddings like Jinder Mahal (WWE fame) and their eye-catching, Insta-worthy photos.
- Why Green in the Sherwani works?
- Unique,
- Refreshing, Symbolises growth
- New beginnings.
- How to style a Green Sherwani?
- Add a printed dupatta
- Colourful saafa for flair.
- Seen on:
WWE’s Drew McIntyre at Jinder Mahal’s wedding, influencer grooms.
Bold Black & Midnight Blue Sherwani
Once “taboo” for weddings, black and navy sherwanis are now ultra-cool, especially for receptions and after-parties. The trick? Luxe fabrics and minimalist embroidery.
- Why Black and Blue Sherwani works?
- Edgy
- Modern
- Perfect for evening glamour.
- How to style a Black and Blue Sherwani?
- Pair with contrasting stoles
- Pair with silver accessories.
- Seen on:
Bollywood celebs at post-wedding bashes.
Metallics & Subtle Bling Sherwani
Champagne gold, rose gold, antique bronze—these shades add a modern twist to classic sherwanis. Paired with tone-on-tone embroidery or subtle sequins, they’re perfect for those who want a hint of glamour without going overboard.
- Why Metallics & Bling in Sherwani works?
- Trendy
- Catches light beautifully in photos
- Versatile for day or night.
- How to style Metallics & Bling Sherwani?
Understated accessories—
- Think matte gold mojris
- Simple pearl malas.
- Seen on:
Couture runway shows, high-fashion grooms.
Sherwani Styling for Groom Beyond Colour
Let’s get one thing straight, colour is just the beginning. The minute and careful details make the look go viral!
Embroidery & Detailing
- Zardozi, Resham, Sequins: These elevate plain colours to next-level luxury.
- Motifs: Florals, geometric patterns, or even family crests!
- Contrasts: A sherwani with an embroidered collar, cuffs, or unique buttons.
Sherwani Fabrics that Photograph Well
- Silk, Velvet, Raw Silk: Rich and luminous, they photograph best.
- Lightweight cotton-silk blends: For summer or destination weddings.
- Chikankari & Linen: For breezy day looks.
The Role of Accessories in Sherwani Styling
- Saafa/Pagdi: A pop of colour, embroidery, or even prints.
- Stoles/Dupattas: Adds depth—try prints or contrasting shades.
- Brooches, Mala, Juttis: The cherry on top.
Designers Setting New Trends
- Sabyasachi: Luxe fabrics, jewel tones, and hand-embroidery.
- Manish Malhotra: Dramatic silhouettes, metallics, and contemporary cuts.
- Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla: Ornate detailing and heritage vibes.
- Shantanu & Nikhil: Edgy, minimal, and modern takes.
How to Choose Your Own Sherwani Shade
Not sure which colour is “the one”? Here’s your roadmap.
Skin Tone & Personality
Fair to Medium:
Try: Jewel tones (emerald, maroon), soft pastels (mint, blush), or classic ivory/white.
Accessories: Gold accents (brooches, saafas, mala) add warmth.
Why: These shades bring out your glow, while gold or pearls add royal charm.
Olive to Deep:
Try: Metallics (champagne gold, bronze), bright blues, deep greens, mustard, or rose gold.
Accessories: Contrasting pastels (powder blue pocket square with a navy sherwani), or bold silver/jade accessories.
Why: Rich, warm hues pop beautifully, while silver highlights offer modern contrast.
Bold Personality?
Try: Neons, prints, colour-blocked stoles, quirky saafas, multi-coloured buttons.
Accessories: Patterned loafers, layered malas, even funky lapel pins.
Why: Show off your vibe! Use the colour wheel: Opposites (like green sherwani + red/pink accessories) are bold but balanced.
Prefer Classic?
Try: Ivory, navy, beige.
Accessories: Timeless pearl malas, tan juttis, minimal metallic brooches.
Why: Simple never fails—think of these as your “little black dress” of wedding fashion.
Matching with the Bride (or NOT)
Forget “his ‘n’ hers” copy-paste looks. The hottest couples today are all about coordinated contrasts.
Subtle Harmony:
How: Match a detail—your saafa or stole picks up a colour from her lehenga border or dupatta.
Accessories: Coordinated boutonnieres, or a pocket square in her dupatta shade.
Colour Theory Tip: Use analogous colours (neighbours on the colour wheel, like pink and purple) for a soft, harmonious feel.
Vivid Contrasts:
How: Go bold! Her fuchsia lehenga, your mint sherwani. Her gold saree, your emerald ensemble.
Accessories: Use the complementary colour (directly opposite on the wheel) for major photo drama—like a green sherwani with a red or maroon saafa.
Why: Your photos pop, and you both get to shine.
Season & Venue Vibes
Your venue, season, and even the time of day can help you pick the ultimate shade—and the right accessories!
Day Weddings:
Shades: Pastels, light metallics, or floral prints—think powder blue, sage, blush, and champagne.
Accessories: Pastel saafa, floral print pocket square, light pearl or floral mala, tan/mojari shoes.
Colour Tip: Choose softer hues—these look fresh in natural sunlight and pair beautifully with gold.
Night Weddings:
Shades: Jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, ruby), bold black, midnight blue, antique gold.
Accessories: Metallic saafa, statement brooch, velvet or gold-embroidered stole, jewel-encrusted buttons.
Colour Tip: Deeper shades absorb flash for that luxe night glow; gold or silver accessories add instant glam.
Destination/Beach:
Shades: Breezy, sun-friendly hues—sky blue, sandy beige, sage, turquoise.
Accessories: Printed linen stoles, shell or coral mala, slip-on loafers or espadrilles.
Colour Tip: Use colour blocking—contrasting accessories like coral or teal for a fun, beachy pop.
Palace Venue:
Shades: Rich velvet (deep maroon, antique gold, royal blue), dramatic embroidery, opulent prints.
Accessories: Kundan/jadau mala, embroidered saafa, antique brooch, classic juttis.
Colour Tip: Go all-in with regal tones, but balance heavy embroidery with subtle accessories (or vice versa).
Accessory Cheat Sheet (Mix and Match)
| Occasion | Sherwani Shade | Must-Try Accessories | Colour Pairing/Tip |
| Day | Pastel | Pearl mala, floral pocket square | Pastel + gold for warmth |
| Night | Jewel tone | Velvet stole, gold brooch | Jewel tone + metallic pop |
| Destination | Sky blue, sage | Printed stole, shell mala | Contrasting coral/teal |
| Palace | Velvet, gold | Jadau mala, embroidered saafa | Antique + subtle metallic |
Pro Styling Tip:
Use the colour wheel:
Analogous: Next-door neighbours (blue + green) = soft harmony
Complementary: Opposites (red + green, gold + blue) = bold drama
Triad: Three colours evenly spaced (e.g., blue, red, yellow) for creative, high-fashion looks.
The right sherwani shade, paired with statement accessories and a touch of colour theory, makes you instantly memorable. It’s not just about looking “good”—it’s about looking like the best, most stylish version of YOU!
Indian Groom Style Mistakes to Avoid (From My Husband)
Alright, future grooms—take it from me, wedding mornings can humble even the most stylish of us.
Here are the mistakes from my husband’s handbook (and some close shaves), so you can avoid them and look your best on the big day:
Wearing Everything at Once
“I was so excited about my accessories—brooch, layered mala, juttis, watch, pocket square… I wore them all. In the photos, I looked like a wedding gift hamper!
Lesson: Pick ONE hero accessory. For me, it was the brooch, and everything else took a backseat. Simplicity wins.”
Ignoring the Importance of a Perfect Fit
“I picked a sherwani off the rack because it was the right shade. But I didn’t realise the sleeves were too long and the shoulders looked bulky in photos. Trust me, always get your sherwani tailored—even if you buy it online. Thankfully, I had the time to get it tailor made. Remember – a sharp fit looks expensive and instantly elevates your whole vibe.”
Not Trying On the Full Look in Advance
“I left the saafa-tying and stole-draping to the last minute. Disaster. My photos have a droopy saafa, and my stole slipped all day. Practice your full look—turban, stole, shoes—ahead of time. It’ll help you avoid awkward fidgeting and let you look confident in every shot. My wife came to the rescue and fixed it for me, but remember to do it all in advance”
Copy-Paste with the Bride
“My bride and I both tried mint green. Instead of looking coordinated, we looked like twins! We corrected our mistake instantly, and chose complementary shades, not matching. See how cohesive our whole outfit looks for our engagement look”
Wrong Shoes, Wrong Day
“Those designer mojris looked great, but were new and super stiff. I ended up limping by the pheras. Break in your shoes at least a week before. And please—no sneakers with sherwanis unless you’re at the after-party. Comfort AND tradition matter.”
Overlooking the Weather
“My wedding was in Rishikesh in the unpredictable month of May, but I wanted that vest on kurta look. Big mistake, I was sweating buckets by the end of the ceremony! However, I was saved by the sudden change in weather due to rain right at the end of our ceremony. If it’s a summer wedding, pick lightweight fabrics like cotton-silk, raw silk, or even linen blends.”
Ignoring How Colours Photograph
“Some shades looked great under store lights, but washed me out in natural sunlight. Take test photos of your sherwani in different lights (indoor, outdoor, with flash) before making your final choice.”
Not Carrying a “Groom Survival Kit”
“Nobody warns you about wedding day mishaps—thank goodness my (now) wife was two steps ahead! She secretly packed a ‘groom survival kit’ for me: stain wipes, safety pins, double-sided tape, and a spare button. When I spilled food on my sherwani, popped a button, and my saafa went wild—all before the varmala—I was saved by that kit. Trust me, pack one yourself. You’ll be grateful when things get real!”
Overly Trendy, Not Timeless
“I almost picked a neon sherwani just because it was trending. Glad my sister stopped me! Go for something that’s you and feels classic, so you don’t cringe at your photos in ten years.”
Groom Squad Goals, The Coordinated Looks
The “groom squad” are now in charge! Groomsmen in matching or complementary sherwanis are social media gold.
- Mix up the pastels: Mint, powder blue, blush—everyone picks a shade.
- Contrast with the groom: He’s in deep maroon, they’re in ivory.
- Same base, unique stoles: Ivory sherwanis, but each guy gets a different printed stole.
Indian grooms, your sherwani isn’t just a wedding outfit—it’s your statement, your confidence, your personality worn loud and proud.
Whether you go classic ivory, viral green, or bold black, own your shade. Style it up, click those reels, and watch your look inspire a new wave of groom fashion.
Because this is your day. Let the world see your style!
The Ultimate Photo-Ready Groom Checklist
Save this list—your future self (and your wedding photos) will thank you!
Dress Rehearsal: Try on your complete wedding look—sherwani, accessories, shoes—at least a week in advance. Snap photos in daylight and under flash to check fit and colours.
The Comfort Test: Sit, stand, squat, and try your best dance move in your full outfit. No one wants wardrobe malfunctions or stuck buttons mid-funk!
Shoe Break-In: Wear your mojris or formal shoes around the house to soften them up. No blisters on your big day!
Groom’s Mini-Essentials Kit: Keep travel-size deodorant, compact mirror, blotting paper, breath mints, a stain remover pen, and a packet of tissues within reach.
Saafa & Stole Practice: Learn to tie your saafa/pagdi and drape your stole—don’t leave it for the barber or the last minute. Practice until it feels secure and looks sharp.
Quick-Fix Kit: Carry safety pins, double-sided tape, extra buttons, and a small lint roller. You never know!
Face Check: Bring oil-absorbing sheets or mattifying powder—no one wants a shiny forehead in their wedding portraits.
Hydrate & Snack: Keep a water bottle and an easy snack handy—no one photographs well on an empty stomach!
Assign a “Style Buddy”: Choose a trusted friend to check your collar, saafa, and accessories just before you make your entrance.
Smile Practice: Stand in front of a mirror and practise your relaxed, confident smile—because you’re going to be in the spotlight all day!
Tip: Save this checklist to your phone, or print and hand it to your best man for a stress-free, photo-perfect wedding day!
Final Advice from a Groom Who’s Been There:
Your sherwani should feel like you—not a costume. Try everything in advance, prioritise comfort, and let your personality shine through one or two statement details. Don’t sweat the small stuff—unless you’re in velvet in May.
Trust me, a little prep saves a lot of drama. Now go rock your look and make those Insta reels count!
