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Decoding The Cannes Man: What Indian Men Can Learn from the Festival's Best-Dressed Men

MENSXP | May 25, 2025 2:39 AM CST

For once, the best-dressed at Cannes weren’t just serving tulle trains and six-inch heels. The boys showed up. And how. If you still think red carpet menswear is just variations of a black tux, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the group chat.

From Pedro Pascal’s sleeveless moment to Ishaan Khatter’s Gaurav Gupta look that made desi boys proud, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival proved one thing: men have officially entered their fashion era. And there’s a lot Indian guys can take away from it.

1. The Suit Doesn’t Have to Be So Serious

Gone are the days when the only thing separating your wedding suit from your boardroom one was a shiny pocket square. At Cannes, suits were playful, expressive, and sometimes borderline chaotic in the best way.

Try this at home: Switch your dark navies for pastels. Think linen, raw silk, or cotton blends in dusty rose, dove grey or sage green for day weddings or cocktail nights. And yes, you can unbutton that shirt — Cannes says it’s fine.

2. Yes, You Can Pull Off White

Karan Johar showed up in a regal white Manish Malhotra outfit, and suddenly, white didn’t feel so boring. With an ivory bandhgala, a woven jacquard collar and an ivory shirt, Johar proved that white can be edgy and classy at the same time.

Try this at home: White chikankari kurta with white pants (not jeans, please), tan loafers, and just a little chest showing. You’re not the dulha, but you’re dressing like one of his better-dressed friends.

3. Jewellery? Absolutely.

I’m not saying wear a mangalsutra, I’m saying take a page out of Vishal Jethwa’s book. His Kavya Potluri brooches were easily the highlight of his looks.

Start small: One statement ring. A slim chain you don’t take off. Or go bold with a single earring on days when you’re feeling spicy. Indian men have centuries of jewellery heritage, it's about time we started owning it again.

4. Grooming That Doesn’t Look... Groomed

Here’s what stood out this year: not everyone looked like they came straight from a salon. And that’s a good thing. There were textured curls, scruffy beards, and even a few bleached brows (but please don’t do that).

Lesson? You don’t have to be baby-faced and barber-fresh 24/7. A little stubble, natural hair texture, and matte (not shiny) skin can go a long way.

5. Cultural Fits Belong on the Carpet

When Ishaan Khatter walked Cannes in a Gaurav Gupta custom-made Deep Bordeaux Velvet Bandhgala, styled with a black wrap silk shirt but worn like a statement, he wasn’t just repping India, he was proving desi looks belong in fashion-forward spaces.

Try it at home: You don’t need to westernise to look stylish. The right pair of juttis, a well-fitted bundi, or even a draped angarkha can be the moment at your next destination wedding. Cannes said it, not me.

6. The Coolest Fit Is One That’s Yours

At the end of the day, the best-dressed men didn’t look like they’d been styled by five PRs and a fashion committee. They looked like themselves. That’s your biggest takeaway.

So whether you’re a soft-boy in sandals or a sneakerhead in bandhgalas—own it.