There is a particular confidence that comes from restraint. Not the loud, logo-heavy kind. The quiet sort that understands cut over chaos, construction over clutter. For Anurag Gupta, personal style isn’t about chasing spectacle. It is about editing. The white T-shirt over the statement piece. Proper trousers over performative tailoring. Sneakers with eveningwear because, frankly, it is 2026.

In this quick-fire conversation, Gupta talks about what men still get wrong, why monochrome suits are exhausting, and the one styling habit he would like to see retired for good. 

What’s one piece in your wardrobe you reach for far more than you’d like to admit?

A white T-shirt. It’s comfortable, versatile, and works for almost anything. You can build any kind of look around it with layers, and I find myself wearing it almost every day.

A menswear essential you think men still underestimate?

Proper trousers. Most men focus on jackets, but the cut, rise, and fall of trousers decide whether an outfit looks sharp or careless.

A trend you wish would quietly disappear next season?

Monochromatic suits that feel flat and predictable. They are everywhere right now and often lack energy or character.

What’s your go-to move for making eveningwear feel effortless rather than costume-like?

Pair everything you wear with sneakers. You do not always need formal shoes. We are not in 1926, we are entering 2026. A well-designed sneaker can work beautifully even with a formal suit.

Which designers or labels are in your regular rotation apart from your own?

I don’t own any designer pieces apart from what I make. I usually pair them with basics from retail outlets.

How has the way you dress shifted in the last five years, and what pushed that change?

I dress simpler now. Fewer pieces, better construction. Age, travel, and running a label teach you what actually lasts beyond trends.

If someone opened your closet today, what’s the one thing that would genuinely catch them off guard?

How little colour there is. I think I use all my colour in my designs, so my personal wardrobe stays very restrained.

What’s a styling habit you think men need to unlearn immediately?
The idea that having a good body is enough to look stylish. We need to pause and ask whether we are being fit for health or for aesthetics. Fashion should be liberating, and clothes are meant for all body types. My brand reflects this belief. My customers are young and old, short and tall, across body types, and I find that far more beautiful. Going to the gym has become a styling habit, and I would like people to do it for the right reasons.

What are the travel wardrobe essentials you never leave home without?

A white T-shirt, two pairs of sneakers, a good perfume, and definitely a watch, so I do not run late and miss my flight.