The 'Bobby' actor was Bollywood's OG style guru, with an unprecedented impact on male fashion.
If anyone could turn a simple sweater into a fashion statement, it was Rishi Kapoor. From his sweaters to his shades, he had a natural grace that made everything look effortlessly chic. As designer Manish Malhotra aptly put it, he "had a strong inherent sense of style. He had a tremendous carriage with clothes and wore everything with ease." Without an iota of doubt, the late actor always looked like he had mastered the art of dressing. And who can forget the fact that his son, actor Ranbir Kapoor, often confesses to looking up to his father for fashion inspiration?
This was fashion back then. Goodness gracious pic.twitter.com/AUYZxz9087
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) August 5, 2016
(Credit: Rishi Kapoor)
One of India's most celebrated actors ever, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last on April 30, 2020. To commemorate his death anniversary, let's have a look at some of his fashion statements that continue to inspire us.
When we think of Rishi Kapoor, we’re immediately hit with images of him rocking colorful sweaters. From red to grey to that ever-classic black, Kapoor was the undisputed king of the sweater game, especially in 'Chandni (1989). It wasn’t just the warmth of the sweater that mattered—it was how he made it look like a million bucks.
In the 80s, most people wore sweaters to stay warm. But Rishi Kapoor wore them as if he were single-handedly introducing the world to "sweater chic." And his sweaters somehow made him even more dashing than the leading ladies in his films. They were so suave that you wouldn’t be surprised if a sweater could have its own fan club dedicated to just Rishi Kapoor.
(Credit: sreedevian)
If you’ve ever wondered who made mufflers a staple of stylish men in India, look no further than Rishi Kapoor. Whether he was strolling through the streets in 'Bobby', making us swoon in 'Kabhie Kabhie', or adding an extra layer of cool in 'Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai', Kapoor made mufflers look like a natural extension of his personality.
(Credit: rishikapoor_forever)
He was the OG of layering, and he wore a muffler with such flair that it almost looked like a superhero cape. You know, if superheroes had impeccable taste in scarves and were also known for their timeless charm.
Before bell bottoms became a nostalgic '90s throwback, they were all the rage in the '70s—and Rishi Kapoor was one of the key reasons. You know how some trends come and go, and some come back? Well, bell bottoms never truly went away for Bollywood fans, thanks to Kapoor. Several of his films saw him rocking these retro pants with such charisma that no one even dared to question whether they were outdated.
And he embellished bell bottoms with his charm. Seriously, Kapoor made you want to wear them even if you had no idea what they were.
Here’s something you didn’t expect: Rishi Kapoor was rocking oversized sunglasses long before they became a trend. And he did it with the kind of style that had people asking, “Where do I get a pair?” In 'Bobby', he looked like he just walked off the runway in Paris, with a pair of those oversized, bold sunglasses perched atop his nose and his dashing looks setting hearts on fire.
Forget about being the cool guy in town; Kapoor was the guy who made you want to be the cool guy in town.
The man didn't stop at sweaters, mufflers, bell bottoms, and oversized sunglasses. Oh no, Rishi Kapoor was way ahead of his time. His ability to wear everything—from printed shirts to sharply cut suits—showed that instead of following trends, he was setting them.
(Image Credit: Films of India)
He proved that fashion is not about sticking to one thing; it's about evolving with the times, yet maintaining a style that's uniquely yours. As filmmaker Karan Johar once said, “I looked at him like he was a monument that I wanted to keep marveling at."
It’s been a few years since we lost Rishi Kapoor, but his fashion legacy is stronger than ever. His confidence in experimenting with different looks, his fearlessness in embracing bold fashion choices, and his ability to make every outfit look stylish continue to influence both Bollywood stars and fans alike.
