New Delhi: When it comes to Shah Rukh Khan, the conversation often starts with charisma and ends with charm. But somewhere in between lies a story of style — timeless as the dialogue — “bade bade desho mai aise choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai senorita”.
Over three decades, SRK hasn’t just ruled the box office; he has redefined what it means to look like a hero. From the boy-next-door in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) to the sexy don and, most recently, his striking Met Gala debut, where he turned muse Sabyasachi Mukherjee, SRK’s fashion has evolved with the eras. But it never lost its soul, much like the man himself.
Sabyasachi intended to represent his global superstar status with a look that blended Black and Indian dandyism. And boy, with those layers of chains and the signature ‘K’ pendant around his neck, he created a fashion moment that will be remembered for years.
As SRK turns 60 today, we look back at some of his most iconic on-screen fashion moments that not only defined his characters but also became instantly recognisable elements of films.
1) Love for leather — the DDLJ effect
Let’s start with DDLJ, the film that marked SRK’s first step towards immortality. Raj’s wardrobe, be it the leather jackets, denims or baseball caps, and cool T-shirts, set new style benchmarks for an entire generation of Indian youth.
With Raj, SRK introduced moviegoers to a new kind of Bollywood hero — one who appeared modern and Western on the outside but remained desi on the inside. It became the blueprint for the new-age Bollywood heroes.
Leather jackets hold a special place in the actor’s fashion wardrobe. From the brown jacket in DDLJ to the rugged, biker-inspired look in Josh, where he paired brown leather jackets with black vests and ripped jeans, SRK has consistently redefined cool.
Then came Don, where he reinvented a 70s character with a modern charm. Of course, it came with a generous dose of leather fits. However, it was the long trench coat and leather gloves that were the highlight.
He wore danger like he wore Dior. The black suit became his second skin, showing how to do power dressing without trying too hard. Even the orange jail fit with those long locks has a separate fan base.
But, off-screen, too, SRK’s affection for leather jackets continued to shine. Whether it’s airport appearances, media interactions, or casual outings. And, of course, one of his leather pieces even found its way into Dirty Laundry, allegedly thanks to Priyanka Chopra, adding yet another layer to his long-standing love affair with leather.
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2) Sweatshirts’ revolution
But moving beyond the leather love story, if you wanna trace back to how sweatshirts became ‘cool’ in India, your research will most likely end at Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH).
Remember the GAP sweatshirts, the cross pendant, and the baseball cap tilted just so? Rahul’s wardrobe was every teenager’s wish list. Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra turned him into a Y2K icon. But it was SRK’s attitude that sold it.
3) Trench coats, linen and long hair
In the new millennium, SRK granted us a new version of refined fashion. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (KKKG) gave us the man in tailored blazers, trench coats, and black turtlenecks.
And, to put it right, he made Western fashion a lot less intimidating.
Then came Dear Zindagi, where SRK’s effortless linen outings made us fall in love with simplicity all over again. His muted colour palette perfectly reflected his character’s ‘cool-classy-semi-casual’ vibe.
When Shah Rukh made his grand return to the big screen with Pathaan in 2023, at 57, he challenged age-related fashion norms.
While the actor brought back his long hair from Don days, he paired it with combat boots, distressed cargo pants, and that sleeveless leather jacket, Shah Rukh wasn’t ‘cool for his age’, he was just cool. Full stop.
Now, with King on the verge of release, all eyes are once again on SRK.
His new salt-pepper hairstyle has already sparked excitement. And, if SRK’s track record is anything to go by, his upcoming fashion statements, hopefully, will set yet another trend.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)