I am always happy to receive emails from our readers and a few months ago, I received one from Mr. Ahmed Sajeel- a small business owner from Pakistan who is the Regional General Manager for BMW cars. First of all, I was flattered to see that the Gentleman’s Gazette was read in such remote places, and secondly I was surprised to see what clothes horse like Ahmed wears day in and day out.
So today, I want to present to you a number of Pakistani bespoke outfits, that are classic in the sense that they incorporate suits and jackets, yet unique because they are influenced by another culture and of course personal style.
Royal Blue Suit
Let’s start with one of my favorite outfits: Ahmed’s double breasted suit in royal blue. It looks like it was tailored from a crisp woolen cloth, maybe even a fresco or a fabric with a little mohair. (update: it is indeed a coarse, open weave fabric with a little bit of Mohair). In any case, I adore the color because it is blue – like thousands of other suits, yet completely out of the box.
The 6×2 silhouette is quite pleasing in my opinion. Unlike so many double breasted lapels, this one is not oversized but medium in width with a nice belly. Since this color is enough of a statement, Ahmed chose a blue – white micro check shirt with a dark navy tie and mid brown suede loafers. In combination with the pocket square, I think it is a superb outfit, although I would have skipped the big wristwatch but I don’t like big watches in general.
Denim Blazer
The next look is also a bit unusual since it is a combination of a denim blazer with a white, contrast collar shirts, white chino’s and beige double monk strap shoes in ostrich leather.
Because of the heat, Ahmed cannot wear cream white flannel trousers, and so he opted for the lightweight cotton alternative. Denim is rarely used for jackets or suits but it goes quite well with a casual ensemble, such as the white pants and beige shoes. However, the light blue shirt with a white contrast collar is clearly a business shirt that is usually worn with a three piece pin stripe suit, than with a relaxed denim outfit an sporty Mogador tie in cotton/silk.
Grey Windowpane
The next outfit is a mid grey windowpane suit with a light blue overplaid. The shirt has a spread collar similar to the one Lino wears all the time, and the blue tie and dark burgundy pocket square provide just enough contrast to make the outfit interesting yet not flashy. Instead of black shoes, Ahmed chose the more casual brown oxfords.
Glenplaid and Grey Tie
Allthough hardly visible, this is a Glen urquhart suit, with a salmon colored shirt, and a dark grey tie and pocket square. In my opinion, peach looks great with grey, especially if you wear brown shoes with it.
Light Grey Blazer with White Buttons
This outfit is a excellent example of a classic, but nevertheless individual outfit. Most men won’t wear white trousers, but if you do, make sure to skip the lining or remove it because it always shows through. The light grey blazer with white buttons is not very popular but this picture shows how casual it can look. With a striped shirt, dark tie, light colored pocket square and reddish brown shoes, the overall look is neat, yet relaxed.
The Burgundy Double Breasted Suit
Last but not least, take a look at Ahmed’s burgundy suit! You certainly need guts to wear a suit like this but Mr. Sajeel does it quite well in my opinion. Note the difference in the lapel compared to the very first suit: This one has more belly, the gorge is different and the points are rounded with a larger radius.
I would probably trade the striped shirt with a plain one, though I think the tie works well, so does the darker pocket square. Brown shoes are certainly an option, although black would have been just as fine.
Now, Ahmed clearly showed to us that he has a huge range of different clothes in his wardrobe. Also, his pocket square tie combinations are all unique and even though I would not wear all the things in the same fashion, I think he did a great job. Moreover, he did not only provide food for thought, but also ideas for warm weather dressing with an individual note.
What do you think of his outfits? Do you like his Panama / Basket weave windowpane blazer at the beginning of the article? Let us know what you wear when it is warmer and don’t hesitate to send us your outfits.
Now, this royal blue suit is just astonishing. It is certainly quite flamboyant and not for everyone, but being worn by you, dear Mr. Sajeel, it just looks great, as the color really becomes you. It is my favorite of these, although I would not wear such a suit myself ( as I would look a little pale in it).
Aswell, your combinations of blazers and white pants are great, before all the one with the denim blazer. The shoes make for a little flamboyance, but over all, it is simply perfectly combinated. The yellow tie accords with the blue shirt and coat, the white collar accords to the white pants and the shoes don’t stand out in spite of their unusual stucture. Unusual and yet perfectly balanced in every way. After all, this is what I would wear myself given the choice of picking one of the outfits.
The burgundy suit has a great fit, but I would rather wear black shoes with it so the color will stand out much more.
Overall, dear Mr. Sajeel, you are a man of elegance and original style. Thank you for the pictures. And aswell thanks to you, dear Mr. Schneider, for this article.
Most humbling … thank you :-)
Oh, and I forgot to mention that your combinations of beige chino and navy blazer are a superb example of what I would call classic with a little something extra. In both cases, unusual ties and shoes ( at least your spectators may be called that way) make for some flamboyance, while the almost conservative combination of coat, shirt and pants keep everthing balanced.
It seems we have found a master of balance in you, Mr. Sajeel .
What a pleasure to see a fellow burgundy suit wearer (photographs pending on Mode Parade, Raphael)
Mr. Sajeel certainly has a personal style – one which makes him appear comfortable and mostly tasteful – and I do admire a willingness to take chances without going over the top. I’m more interested in gauging tailoring accuracy from real life scrutiny than internet nitpicking (as it is, rare is the garment that is “perfect”), but I will make one comment – the trouser shapes are spot-on in practically every instance
Not every combination is a smash, but grey top/white lower half is something that should be utilised more often. My friend Winston Chesterfield (http://venividivrai.blogspot.com/) has used it to great effect in the past
All best and well played,
BON
P.S. The shirt in the royal blue ensemble actually has a tiny windowpane pattern
I am glad to see a good conversation developing here!
The shirt in the first picture is in fact a blue on white micro check, and neither a windowpane nor plane, but thanks for pointing that out Barima! Your photoshoot with Winston looks nice btw.
Thanks also to Gernot and Mr. Sajeel!
Gentlemen, this is overwhelming … like I said above, I’m humbled beyond expression.
It is correct Mr. Schneider, the shirt does indeed have a rather interesting micro-check to go with the Navy Blue knitted tie … and thank you Mr. Barima for appreciating the trousers. I would attribute this to the rigoruous tutoring by my father in not having a break and showing the shirt cuff … and such fundamentals. He is anything but flamboyant, but to date for him; the fit is everything and he is tireless in getting everything altered till he is satisfied. And then there is his mastery of putting together the basic, but timelessly classic ensembles.
Now much as I enjoy my basic Cary Grant inspired Chrcoal, Grey and Navy suits – solids, sharkskins, pin-stipes with an affinity for Glen-checks, Houndstooth and windowpanes – it is these lesser expected combinations that keep one smiling all day. And more often than not, to breathe a little extra into a classic combination, one will be found wearing accessories and particularly shoes that would go down as less formal in material, design and colour (as I additionally shared with Mr. Schneider). But then again didn’t The Duke and Gianni Agnelli defy convention … and tastefully at that. It is so much more fun in knowing the rules and bending them ever so slightly … after all it is this very pleasure in fine articles that drives one ahead of what would “ably suffice”.
“The master of balance” … Mr. Donnerbalken; one could not have imagined or even asked for more … thank you :-)
And as you gentlemen would bear me out; this indeed is a bottomless pit … thus gleefully the journey goes on :-)
Mr. Sajeel is my fathar and I’m proud of him Now I woud just kike to say I love you and your the most stylish person I’ve ever seen
I am so proud of you Baba
Thanks for your comment Ahmed. Your dad sent me a picture of you as well and obviously, you have a great person to look up to.
Oh wow … how did I miss this. Thank you Sarym and most grateful Mr. Schneider for such generous comments yet again
Dear Mr. Sajeel,
Excellent and most elegant. Would you be able to tell me who your tailor is and how one could get in touch with him/her?
Thank you Sameer for your compliments … I’m based out of Rawalpindi / Islamabad in Pakistan and you may wish to contact me on +92-300-8563773 for tailoring details.
Thank you
I must say that you have quite an impeccable taste Mr.Sajeel. I’m also based in Rawalpindi and the closest thing I could get to bespoke here was Waheed Tailors but since Mr.Waheed himself is retired now, I doubt his apprentices would outclass him. Could you be so kind to tell me what tailor you consult?