safari suit design images

Safari Suits

The a-z of safari suits… and the best safari suits to buy.

Looking for a safari suit? Going on a safari is a fun experience, it allows you to explore a vast range of new locations, and it can be incredibly interesting too. The safari experience is fun, rewarding and you will find it very immersive. With that in mind, having the right safari suit is very important. It helps you avoid standing out to protect against predators, and it also makes it easy to stay away from the unwanted heat.

What is a safari suit?

At its core, this is a suit that will help you protect yourself against any potential challenges during a trip in the savanna. It’s a very good idea to have a safari suit because it protects you against any problems. You can pair a safari jacket with dedicated shorts or trousers and it will become a safari suit.

The main idea here is to have a suit that offers protection against many of the challenges that appear in the wilderness. There can be insect bites , predators attacking and so on. The safari suit is designed to be inconspicuous, so you can explore the region at your own pace without worrying about any possible problems that can appear.

Roger Moore shows off his safari suit style

What makes a great safari suit?

As we mentioned earlier, the best safari suit is the one that will not make you stand out. The main colors for this tend to be beige, brown, tan or khaki, although you can find some white safari suits too. The idea here is that you want to avoid any impact on the wildlife, instead you want to be camouflaged and experience the wildlife in its most natural format.

Bright colors will most likely make you stand out in the environment. When that happens, you end up scaring the animals, and that’s definitely something you must take into consideration as much as you can. If you would have safari suits that are blue for example or very dark, these will attract a lot of insects that carry yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria, among many others. That’s why specific coloring is very important because it will help you stay safe.

What kinds of safari suits are there?

You can have the standard safari jacket which has the traditional length, it comes with multiple pockets and it should fit perfectly. You also have the mid-length jacket which is shorter and that can be a bit easier to wear. If you want to traverse challenging territories, the bush jacket is very handy.

This one has a belt around the waist and it can have either a similar length or it can be longer when compared to other jackets.

Lastly, you have safari bomber jackets that are made out of polyester fabric. Most of these tend to have 4 path pockets, zippered front and an inside pocket. They are the most durable and dependable, but also the most expensive.

You can also get a safari vest if you want, this one is designed to offer the extra warmth and protection you may need. It also delivers extra pockets too, which is something you need to take into consideration as much as you can.

What to wear with a safari suit?

The upper garments would usually include a shirt under the jacket. Some people want a sleeveless option because it can get very hot. There’s also the option for long sleeves, depending on your own needs and requirements.

For the lower garments, you want to have either shorts or khaki trousers. Women can go for leggings if they want to. Long skirts can be a good idea too, since they offer added protection. When it comes to what footwear you need, you do want safari boots or hiking shoes. Slip on or closed shoes are ok too, but it’s better to go with boots or something that delivers an even better protection.

How to wear a safari suit?

Ideally, you want to use the safari suit when you go in a safari trip with a designated guide. You want to have a shirt, a jacket on top of it, safari trousers and proper shoes. You can adapt everything according to your own needs, and the results can be very interesting once you go down this route. You will be incredibly impressed with the value and results, and the experience is amazing because of it.

Do you need a safari hat?

Yes, normally you do, because there can be all kinds of hazards in the wilderness. A good safari hat needs to be waterproof, to provide you with proper coverage and it should help you fight against the UV rays. Obviously it needs to be comfortable and when it comes to material it can be cotton based, rubber or leather based.

Think about where you are going, this might require some changes to the safari suit

It’s important to know where and also when you are going on a safari. This will make it easy to identify the proper equipment you need. If you visit during the dry season, then the equipment above will do just fine. However, if you visit during the wet season, then you need to think about additional items that offer waterproofing and added protection. However, the colors need to stay the same for the most part, even if you visit during the rainy season.

The safari suits didn’t change that much over the past century. People have always been very excited to explore the wilderness, and the structure of a safari suit was very well prepared from the start. Granted, nowadays we are using different materials and the designs are a bit more modern, but the regular safari suits always had a thick jacket, durable pants, and high-quality shoes. It’s important to have the right equipment when you’re going into the jungle, so using the right tips and tricks will help you more than you imagine. Give these a try and remember to take all the little details into consideration as they can help save your life!

And that’s our take on safari suits. What do you think – any important information missing? Or perhaps you have a few safari suit tips of your own. Please let us know in the comments section below!

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
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• Namibia safaris
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Safari basics

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• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

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Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
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10 Safari Suits To Solve Your Workwear Conundrum

By Ellie Pithers

Femininity meets all-out practicality with this season’s safari suiting silhouette. How so? Balance a nipped-in waist with plenty of pockets and you’ve clocked up the best of both worlds. From Prada’s resort 2020 styles to Low Classic’s refined minimal offerings, welcome an easy-chic skirt or trousers suit into your wardrobe for January – and consider your workwear woes solved.

Cotton-canvas jacket, £310, cropped straight-leg pants, £175, both available at Net-A-Porter.com .

Belted leather jacket, £2,420, available at Net-A-Porter.com ; leather straight skirt, £1,470, available at Modaoperandi.com .

Kilometre Paris

Embroidered cotton-twill jacket, £525, embroidered slim cotton trousers, £195, both available at Matchesfashion.com .

Logo-jacquard cotton jacket, £1,510, logo-jacquard cotton jackets, £940, both available at Matchesfashion.com .

Belted wool-gabardine jacket, £2,790, top-stitched wool-gabardine trousers, £850, both available at Matchesfashion.com .

Belted utility jacket, £1,704, available at Farfetch.com , gabardine skirt, £1,250, available at Prada.com .

Low Classic

Faux leather jacket, £270, pleated faux leather skirt, £200, both available at Brownsfashion.com .

Double-breasted cotton jacket, £1,150, high-rise wool-twill trousers, £600, both available at Matchesfashion.com .

By Julia Storm

By Janelle Okwodu

By Elise Taylor

Safari Suit Styles For Men

A suit that balances the line between casual and formal is the safari suit styles for men. You can wear it with a tee shirt or a structured shirt and tie; either ways, you’d still look elegant.

The cost of suits in Nigeria and even in most countries is somewhat outrageous. Because of the effort that goes into styling a suit and the amount you would be spending on the attire, you wouldn’t want to go for just any suit style. That is why we bring to you the Safari Suit styles for men.

Safari suit or political suit or leisure suit is a casual suit designed from a light-weight material such as linen or cotton usually worn in hot weather.

The beautiful thing about safari suits is that you can make them with any fabric or material that feels convenient and comfortable to you.

A safari suit works in a formal setting and even when you’re out of the workplace. Depending on how you like to wear your suits in different weathers, you can pair your safari suit with shorts or long trousers.

The first Safari Jacket was created by Yves Saint Laurent and was introduced in his 1967 runway shows. The design was made for a photo-essay for Vogue (Paris) the following year (1968), giving so much fame to the design and quickly turned it into a classic.

Added to Ebuka BBN’s radical suits , here are some lovely styles that are currently making waves on Instagram. You’d definitely want to style these looks after going through them

Safari Suit Styles For Men: Pictures

Instead of an a shawl lapel suit, a classic tuxedo or even the jacquard suit, how about you go for this monochrome ivory white suit set featuring a safari jacket and pant trousers.

Who said you can’t wear a suit when it’s hot outside. Opt for this breathable safari suit and you’d always look spectacle not only under the sun, but also when it’s freezing outside.

Before you leave elegance to the tailor, choose this lava grey French safari suit. The neck stud added to it was only a spice of variety to create a unique ensemble.

A safari custom piece made in the African prints fabric of the Togolese. This safari suit is amazing and unconventional; definitely a style that has come to stay

This suit describes what ‘making colors work for you’ is all about. When you don’t want to go monochrome wear this floral traditional safari suit of the Indians.

Why we love this tomato red French safari suit is that it is fully reloaded. From the safari jacket and pant trousers to the square pocket with a touch of red and the glistening gold adornments, we’re not taking our eyes off it.

What do you think of a safari turtle neck suit? The designer really gave all kinds of drip with this piece.

You can wear this Bronx Safari Jacket when in the country or city

A well tailored safari suit never goes out of fashion. You’re sure to have a well fitted look when you try on this custom made ensemble

Looking for a safari suit for the Urban jungle? You’ve got one over here. Try this safari suit set with a denim shirt and neckerchief just like in the picture above.

B&P Safari suit for any guy that wants to turn heads at any event he is present at.

Hemmingway safari suit with every elegance that great details brings with it

This long sleeve French safari suit and pant trousers has everything we love in a piece. The French double breasted safari suit is made with charcoal black jorgecali merino wool (clergyman), pearl horn buttons, bishop neck shirt with a silver Swarovski button, and WW2 medals of honor to accessorize the fit.

Here’s your cool safari suit style

This awesome makeup is a full olive herringbone merino wool safari suit

Cotton canvas safari suit for when the safari temperatures are coming up

This gray and brown palette is one of the season’s favourite

Eucarl Wears is an online fashion hub and Lifestyle apparel brand store that provides fashion quality fashion guides & tips with top-designer quality apparel.

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Why The Safari Jacket Is 2024’s Most Stylish And Practical Menswear Item

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It’s the badass outerwear of choice for style icons like Ernest Hemingway and Clint Eastwood, one that historically was less about dressing for dinner, rather about catching it. And yet, the safari jacket still divides.

That’s because get it right, and you look straight-from-the-fridge cool. But get it wrong, and you look the part of the Great White Hunter. Get it right, and you look Burt Reynolds-level macho. Get it wrong, and you just look plain awkward. But, ask any menswear expert, and they’ll soon tell you it’s worth the risk.

Never mind the practical benefits – room to carry your stuff; light enough to wear all summer. The safari jacket is a design classic, whether you’re in the real thing or one of fashion’s many interpretations, and it may just be the only cool jacket you need for the balmier months.

What Is A Safari Jacket?

Take the practicality of the military style field jacket – a tough cotton or cotton-blend fabric formed into a loose-fitting, mid-length garment with four bellows pockets at the chest and hip. Now do it in a more general purpose shade of beige, in a lighter-weight, breathable fabric like linen or cotton drill and add details such as an open neck, epaulettes and a belt to keep everything pulled together and in order.

There you have it: the safari jacket – a kind of field-meets-shooting jacket, substantial enough to wear a layer underneath, insubstantial enough to wear next to the skin or for the sleeves to be easily rolled ready to go hunting in, even if that’s just for the next bar.

Why You Need A Safari Jacket Today

Saint Laurent, which is credited with thrusting the style into the mainstream, famously still offers one, of course. But there’s a good reason why designers including Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and brands like Abercrombie and Barbour have versions too. It just works. When it’s too hot for a proper jacket, but the event calls for something smarter than just a shirt, the safari jacket – functional in the outback, smart in a more urban jungle setting – works.

“The safari jacket is bittersweet – it can look like you’re wearing a costume, but the fact is that it’s great for the summer,” says Gieves & Hawkes creative director John Harrison. “They make quite a statement, but they really do the job.”

What’s more, it’s not a capital ‘F’ fashion piece either. That doesn’t mean a good quality example won’t be wearable for years to come. Just think khaki, cotton, classic. Its versatility is well documented, and it’s the ideal accompaniment to selvedge denim or, when the occasion calls, sharp tailoring. In short, it’s the ultimate trophy piece.

Safari Jacket Style Tips

Don’t overdo it.

The safari jacket is designed to be the star of the show, so allow it to take over, and avoid wearing anything else that attempts to compete with it for attention. If in doubt, muted basics are the order of the day, so throw it over a simple T-shirt and foot with dark denim and minimalist sneakers.

Aim High or Low

Much like other pieces in the menswear hall of fame, it’s possible to dress the safari jacket both up and down. Whether you wear it over a shirt, knitted tie and dark flannel trousers to appear smart or with white jeans and deck shoes for a Riviera feel, try leaving the jacket open but tying the belt across the middle for a nonchalant look.

Re-appropriate It

Unless en route to a fancy dress a party, don’t attempt the all-out utility look. If you’re wearing a safari jacket, avoid also wearing khakis, combat pants, or bush hat. It’s important to re-appropriate the safari jacket from its original setting as an upscale piece to avoid looking like someone who’s lost his shotgun.

Play Around With Fabric

The safari jacket is made by its pattern, but different materials can provide different effects. Linen ages well, making for a jacket that will take on a timeworn look; suede has more of an eveningwear feel, so works well for guys with a smarter wardrobe; while options in leather offer added insulation during colder months.

Leave The Bag At Home

In its infancy, the pocket on a safari jacket would be used to carry ammo, batteries for the GPS, a flask and likely a pipe. Though most modern men have little need for these in everyday life, it’s still possible to use the jacket as intended and leave the backpack at home.

5 Key Safari Jackets

Private white v.c..

Known for its robust outerwear, British brand Private White V.C. specialises in stylish yet functional designs. This prime example is a minimalistic take on the safari jacket. Gone are the shoulder epaulettes and belt; replaced by pared-down pockets with discrete poppers, a shorter length and a hidden placket, giving it a smarter overall feel.

Anderson & Sheppard

Given that it occupies a space on Savile Row , Anderson & Sheppard is best known for its exemplary tailoring. However, the heritage firm also produces a fine take on the safari jacket. Made from military-esque cotton drill and coming with 15 pockets as standard – including two iPad-sized interior pockets – it’s perhaps the handiest garment you could own. Forget luggage, just get yourself one of these.

Saint Laurent

Sure, because of its butter-soft lambskin construction and silk lining, the all-leather ‘Saharienne’ jacket by Saint Laurent would be useless in an actual safari – but just look at it. An ultra luxurious take on the design Yves himself backed in the 1960s, this is the French label at its best: classic, louche and incredibly desirable.

Marks & Spencer

Trust Marks & Spencer to come up with a safari jacket that both ticks all the design boxes and doesn’t offend your wallet. The British high street retailer has put its own spin on the classic piece, choosing to forgo the belt and instead add a couple of buttoned rear vents. So, whether you mount a horse in the desert or a motorcycle in the city, your jacket won’t scrunch up when you sit down.

Sitting somewhere in between Barbour’s signature waxed outerwear and the British brand’s motorcycle styles, this four pocket cotton design is an ideal modern update on the safari jacket. The drawstring waist provides a customisable fit, while a zip-and-button closure, coupled with a buttoned throat latch ensure that when the weather turns sour, it’ll be a useful ally.

The History Of The Safari Jacket

Picture the late 19th-century British soldiers of the Boer War, tramping across the plains of South Africa, unable to find their enemy – engaged as they were in this new, ungentlemanly form of warfare known as ‘guerilla’. Of course, it didn’t help that the British soldiers wore tunics in red, and the Afrikaners – appreciating the advantage of blending into the landscape – wore khaki.

Officers in British high command thought they were on to something – and shortly after came the first British military dress to make a step towards the palette of beiges, dun browns, and olive drabs still used today. The resulting attire – a four-pocket field jacket in khaki – would by turns be adopted by hunters, who likewise needed to be less visible to their prey.

Indeed, the so-called safari jacket was born, and it would remain a specialist item – worn by hunters and trackers including diehard-killers-of-anything-that-moved Ernest Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt. Although versions of the safari jacket were re-adopted for both the British and German forces fighting in Africa during World War Two, it was typically only worn on safari and would have looked mightily out of place anywhere else up until the mid-1950s.

This was an idea underscored by Hollywood. From the 1930s, the film machine decided the perceived exoticism of the Great Continent was ripe for the next spate of romantic, action-packed movies, with the likes of Clark Gable donning safari jackets on screen. Out came The Road to Zanzibar (1941), Mogambo (1953), Safari (1956), Hatari! (1962), onwards to the likes of Clint Eastwood in White Hunter Black Heart (1990) – by which time the safari jacket had arguably lapsed into ‘central casting’ territory.

But not before making its forays into fashion. In the movies – especially during that busy run of the 1960s – the safari jacket was typically worn with plenty of dust and sweat, perhaps a rakish neckerchief, baggy shorts, and maybe a pith helmet. Take away the perspiration, however, and the safari jacket was recognized for its practicality for city life.

In India – inspired by the climate again – it became the local answer to the business suit. This was in part why Roger Moore wore a safari jacket in Octopussy (1983), partly set as it is in India. But then Moore, as James Bond, also wore one for the scenes of the private island of The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) and Moonraker (1979).

But then Moore, or his wardrobe team, was ahead of the times: he wore a safari jacket in ‘The Saint’. This wasn’t just before Bond, it was before the other Saint too. It was the designers Ted Lapidus and Yves Saint Laurent who really gave the safari jacket a fashion overhaul.

The former introduced his take on the jacket in the mid-1960s, while the latter seemingly stole all the glory – or just got the timing right – after first showing his take on it in 1967, though it was a one-off made for a Vogue story on him the following year that made it a cult item for the times. And it’s never looked back since.

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The best men's safari jackets for outgoing, explorative style

By Harvey James

A jacket for explorers and fashion-forward wardrobes alike, the safari jacket is back. A pin-up of utilitarian style, the safari jacket has been highlighted in designer collections and high-street stores alike of late. Here's GQ 's pick of the best safari jackets out there

When it comes to the origins of the safari jacket, the clue is in the name. With its roots in the military, the style was adopted throughout the 20th century to suit wranglers, conservationists, and prairie keepers alike thanks to its lightweight and highly-practical design. Similar in length to the chore jacket but imbued with military motifs, the humble safari jacket is raising more eyebrows than ever as utilitarian styles continue to gain popularity. Put simply, this multi-functional silhouette is no longer reserved for the likes of Nigel Thornberry.

Gaining celeb supporters in the shape of Ernest Hemingway, Charles and Diana during their visit to Uluru, as well as our beloved James Bond (see Roger Moore swanning around in a beige safari jacket in The Man With The Golden Gun ), the safari jacket has a well-established and historic allure. More recently, however, the style has been deployed on the scorched sands of Fashion Weeks, stalking down runways at Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Dior AW22, where predators lurk in the form of judgy editors, opinionated acquaintances, and savage Instagram comments. 

And so, since cargo pants have seen a recent resurgence, it makes sense that its top-half cousin is also growing in the public consciousness. And with warmer months just around the corner in Britain, never has there been a better time to bridge this transitional period with a highly practical and moreover classy safari jacket. From Hackett to Louis Vuitton, here are our top picks.

Turnbull & Asser

This khaki green jacket by Turnbull & Asser is made from a lightweight, yet durable natural material blend of one-third linen and two-thirds cotton, making it a perfect springtime jacket. Formality is attended by the pleated lines that guide the shape, plus, the buttoned pockets that stand proud. We especially love the almost gable-like curve that decorates the chest pocket flaps. It’s that sort of attention to detail that makes this piece irresistible.

This Nanushka safari jacket is fresh as can be. The boxy shape drapes with a lax elegance. Pair that with the hidden poppers, the roomy four-pockets, the drawstring waist cinch and you have a seriously versatile silhouette. And as if that weren't enough, the 100 per cent beige cotton-twill outer construction has a luxurious sheen to it and is guaranteed to last a long, long time.

The beauty of modern fashion is in its creativity. The traditional safari jacket is present here in its spacious pleated pockets, short lapel, dark and rich buttons, and wrap-around belt tie. However, the introduction of a cream-toned corduroy just points in a modern, stylish, and more playful direction. A safari jacket that doesn’t take itself too seriously – big win.

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli brings a minimalist frame to the safari jacket and constructs it from a sumptuous suede material. The pockets are slimmed down, making them more suitable for urban wear, whilst the cinched waist is complementary to the natural lines of your body. In short, this jacket blends practicality and modernity with panache.

Louis Vuitton

For a couture approach, Louis Vuitton injects a healthy dose of fashionable sensibility to the humble safari jacket. Notice the clean-cut silhouette, the linear pockets and construction lines through the arms and back, but also, the jacket has a little trick up its sleeve – it’s reversible. While the front side has a soft blue shade, the reverse side brings some swagger with a purple and black pattern. It’s 99 per cent wool constructed (breathable, biodegradable, flame-retardant and water wicking) and is infused with 1 per cent silk for a final comforting, luxurious touch.

Stone Island

While a conventional wrangler or conservationist might chuckle at the thought of wearing a pastel pink jacket, for the less safari-inclined, this is a stylish piece of kit. The military-style Stone Island badge attached to the left arm, combined with the technical quick-drying fabric and bulky pockets root this firmly in the utilitarian camp, just with a bit more verve, that’s all.

This field jacket comes in the traditional warm hues of burnt orange reminiscent of the sandy earth of a desert. The jacket features formal epaulettes, nodding to the military heritage of the silhouette, and comes with a drawstring tightening through the waist and hem to achieve a bespoke fit for the wearer.

By Heidi Quill

The khaki green of this Aspesi jacket, in tandem with the large chest pockets and the proud epaulettes on the shoulders, make no mistake about its military-cum-safari inspiration. Note the lightweight cotton-canvas construction in a bulky shape, making it easy to move around in and of a highly durable nature. Most of all: it looks chic as can be.

MP Massimo Piombo

This MP Massimo Piombo piece channels safari-lite. It has trimmed the fat off the traditionally large pockets, favouring pockets that look ripe for slim digital devices and contactless credit cards. The cotton-drill material, small epaulettes and zip-stored hood mean that this jacket still ticks all the same safari boxes, plus, the “Tobacco” hue means you’d still merge with a dusty, sandy backdrop if you so which.

Umit Benan B+

This gorgeous Umit Benan B+ jacket adheres to all the safari jacket tropes. From the pomp of the epaulettes to the sculpting of the belted waist, to the maximal pockets, and the pleated backside. That stricture makes it a thing of beauty. Its brown linen construction is lightweight, breathable, and of more sustainable natural materials, which then combines with sumptuous cream-brown buttons. It has poise, style and frankly, is fabulous.

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SAFARI SUITS

Ultimate collection of outwear suits for the modern traveller.

James Bond Safari Suit

Roger Moore Safari Suit

Sahara Sky Blue Safari Suit

Presedential Navy Military Suit

Classic Beige Safari Suit

Sharkskin Khaki Safari Suit

Premium White Safari Suit

Navy Blue Safari Suit

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May 25 2023 – Matt Beddows

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From the African Bushes to Indian Bureaucracy: The Long Journey of the Safari Suit

When a sarkari babu (government officer) or baniya (Marwari businessman) stepped out of his home in a safari suit, the sheen of the outfit accorded him a sense of respectability and sincerity.

In the series ‘Icons of India’ , we take a look at the iconic objects that collectively defined the Indian experience over the past 68 years. From things that brought the world to our living rooms to tasty treats, take a nostalgic journey down memory lane!

M y late grandfather was a simple man. He grew up in Rajasthan and helped his elder brother farm.

Upon realising that the older sibling was taking advantage of him—minimal rations for food, some scraps for cloth and no money—the elders intervened, and my grandfather moved to Hyderabad to eke out a living for his wife, and their five children.

With help from family, he set up a small business, selling edible oil. It did well enough to meet their basic needs—“ mota khana, mota pehnna, mast rehna ,”—my grandmother often says, recalling the times.

It simply meant that coarse cloth and wholesome food was all they needed for a good life.

The lady of the house made do with a handful of sarees , while younger kids used books passed down from the older ones. Cloth bought from the wholesale market sufficed for all their clothing needs.

As the years went by, the business took off, and the family’s fortunes turned. This began to reflect in Bapu ’s style as well—well-oiled hair, jutis and a safari suit.

Come hail, storm, or the 500 days of Hyderabad’s summer, if my Bapu stepped out of home, this was his attire. (While Bapu means ‘father’, I used it for my grandfather.)

At approximately Rs 40 per metre, the safari cloth was a luxury. Along with the tailoring cost of Rs 45-50, this safari suit, once made, would last years.

You would be lucky if you could get basic tailoring mends done at that rate today, forget getting a fully-stitched safari suit for an adult man.

While it appealed to the masses, it certainly wasn’t an affordable piece of clothing.

The appeal of the safari suit

It was the cultural elite of the society—the educated middle or upper-middle class—whose acceptance of the outfit adorned it with qualities not necessarily intended.

Many of them still entertained a hangover of its colonial past, so those who held positions of power—like businessmen and bureaucrats—were considered by themselves and others—to be a class apart.

When a sarkari babu (government officer) or baniya ( Marwari businessman) stepped out of his home in a safari suit, the sheen of the outfit accorded him a sense of respectability and sincerity.

Geeta Khanna agrees. She says, “Post-independence, the British ‘hangover’ has unfortunately lingered on way too long, and the safari suit was an acceptable formal/official outfit for the ‘summer’ of India. It also spelled prosperity and an anglicised mindset that was considered superior.”

She is the principal director of the Hirumchi Styling Company , which provides creative and design solutions in India and abroad.

From the African bushes to Indian bureaucracy—the long journey of the safari suit

Ted Lapidus and Yves St Laurent , designers from the style heaven, France, are credited with designing the two-piece safari suit.

Initially intended for safari tours in Africa, variations of the suit can also be traced to the uniforms of the British Army stationed in South Africa during the Second Boer War.

The soldiers needed light and breathable clothing to be active in the heat. For this, their uniforms had to be made of cotton to keep them cool. The button-down shirt would have four large pockets on the chest and waist areas so that they could carry bullets, weapons, and binoculars, perhaps a bottle of water. The shirt had a large collar and a belt at the waist, which kept everything together; and the pants too would come with pockets.

In the book Fashion and Masculinities in Popular Culture , Adam Geczy and Vicky Karaminas explore how popular culture aided the general acceptance of the outfit.

The tailored suit gained popularity during the 1930s and continued to be fashionable attire for men up until the seventies when the unisex safari suit became du jour. While the tailored suit is associated with the ‘Establishment,’ the safari suit made popular by Yves St Laurent, represented adventure and freedom from life’s constraints (like that offered by the hunt) and worn later by Roger Moore as James Bond. As Sarah Gillian suggests, the suit initially signified ‘sobriety, simplicity, conformity and restraint’, the man’s tailored suit functions to construct an image of an idealized male body.’ The 007 fandom in the western world and that of the ‘angry young man’ in Indian cinema caused people to imitate their styles. Young employees of corporate organisations and bureaucrats wore them to the workplace as Little Master Sunil Gavaskar modelled them in advertisements, while actors Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna wore them on the screen in dazzling colours .

Politician and bureaucrat Kunwar Natwar Singh was commonly seen in the outfit. As a young diplomat in Indira Gandhi’s secretariat in 1966, he was part of a group of six, of varied ages, from different backgrounds and mother tongues. But they all shared a similarity.

“Seven out of seven of us wore safari suits,” said Mr Singh. “That’s how common they were.”

Another politician, SMI Asseer, told the India Today magazine that he had as many as 25 safari suits in his wardrobe. Similarly, renowned industrialist Rahul Bajaj seemingly had an inexhaustible wardrobe of the suits.

They seemed to be everywhere—synced with people’s aspirations and their fashion sensibilities.

Rishabh Khandelwal feels that the shirt-like comfort, combined with the suit-like “sophistication” made the safari suit a popular choice for people, ideal for Indian weather.

He is the co-founder and managing director of Hangrr , a custom clothing brand for men. He points out how the “unlined, unstructured” safari suit jackets are similar to military uniforms in style and design.

Rishabh says, “It became easier and inexpensive to produce. Considering the socio-economic landscape of the time, it found the perfect fodder to reach mass popularity.”

Raymond, Vimal and DCM Textiles became some of the foremost suppliers in the country. However, around the same time, the 80s, he notes how the outfit began to lose its relevance in the west.

“With a slimmer silhouette governing the world of fashion, the safari suit started losing its dominance.”

The relic of a bygone era

The liberalisation of the 90s opened up India’s economy to a host of western products. It also marked a shift in the country’s geopolitical landscape at the turn of the century. We could bid adieu to the pains of colonialism and move away from the uncertainty of post-colonialism, and finally herald a new kind of modernity.

One such change was in the representation of ideals through clothing.

Khadi , for instance, was a symbol of nationalism during the struggle for Indian independence, when one was not simply accepting a piece of cloth made from a particular yarn—the crucial point was the rejection of foreign fabric.

When viewed in the “objective” light of the present, far from the yoke of colonialism, khadi was losing its sheen.

Dipesh Chakrabarty explains this change in his paper Clothing the political man: A reading of the use of khadi/white in Indian public life .

Khadi, once described by Nehru as ‘the livery of freedom’ and by Susan Bean (to whom I owe this quote from Nehru) as the ‘fabric of Indian independence’, now stands unambiguously for the reverse of its nationalist definition.

I have therefore read it as the site of the desire for alternative modernity, a desire made possible by the contingencies of British colonial rule, now impossible under the conditions of capitalism and yet circulating insistently within an everyday object of Indian public life, the (male) politician’s uniform. I do not think that khadi convinces anybody any longer of the Gandhian convictions of the wearer but if my reading of it has any point to it, then its disappearance, were it to happen, would signify the demise of a deeper structure of desire and would signal India’s complete integration into the circuits of global capital. Although  khadi and the safari suit are less common today, they have not yet been rendered irrelevant. Whether for the sake of nostalgia or as experiments of retro fashion, these icons have been etched in the patchwork of Indianness.

Rishabh notes that there has been an increased demand for safari suits over the past few years, with the attempts to “bridge the gap between the old and the new, and provide safari suits with a modern fit and cut”.

He tells me about designing clothes for a recent beach wedding, where the party was dressed in light blue and beige safari suits, which were “structured, sweat-resistant and wrinkle-free fabrics”.

He adds, “They were slim-cut like modern suits and remained airy for a perfect beach wedding.”

Apart from his team at Hangrr, he tells me that designers across the world are incorporating similar designs into their clothing lines. Some examples are four-buttoned military jackets with shorts and safari-style shirts and jackets.

Also Read: #IconsOfIndia: How an Idea, an Ad & Some Italians Got us the Auto Rickshaw!

He concludes, “The traditional colours, patterns, cuts and designs might no longer be relevant, but innovation and modern techniques will keep safari suits trendy for quite some time. And, like everything else, personalisation plays a great role in getting it right—we must make the safari suit relevant to the person’s style, taste and need. This has helped us keep this timeless outfit relevant and desirable, not only in India but across the world.”

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

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