Pop culture decides a lot of what men wear. A hero's jacket in a blockbuster, a cricketer's chain on live TV, a K-pop star's airport look or a creator's Reel can turn one outfit into a nationwide trend within weeks. In this guide we look at how films, cricket, OTT shows, music and influencers are shaping men's fashion in 2026, and how you can borrow those looks for real life with pieces from the VJV Now men's blazers collection.
A Quick History: Pop Culture Moments That Changed Menswear
Today's trends are built on decades of screen and music style. A few moments still shape what men wear:
- The trench coat: Humphrey Bogart's trench coat in Casablanca (1942) made it the symbol of cool, confident style.
- The white T-shirt: Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) turned a plain white tee and jeans into rebel wear.
- The Hawaiian shirt: Elvis Presley's printed shirts in Blue Hawaii (1961) made tropical prints a holiday classic.
- Streetwear: hip-hop artists made hoodies, sneakers and oversized tees global fashion. Today Pharrell Williams, a musician, leads menswear at Louis Vuitton (since 2023).
India has its own list: Rajesh Khanna's guru kurta, Amitabh Bachchan's 1970s bell-bottoms, Shah Rukh Khan's leather jacket in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and the goatee from Dil Chahta Hai (2001). Every generation has a film look that everyone's cousin copied for a wedding.
1. Bollywood in 2025-2026: Rugged Heroes and Romantic Leads
Indian cinema had a record year at the box office in 2025, and two very different Hindi hits put two very different hero images in front of young men.
- Dhurandhar (December 2025): Aditya Dhar's spy thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever, with a sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, in March 2026. Ranveer's long hair and full beard brought the rugged action-hero image right back into the spotlight.
- Saiyaara (July 2025): Ahaan Panday's debut became one of the biggest Indian romantic hits ever, putting the classic romantic-lead image back in front of Gen Z.
How to wear it: for the rugged look, go for dark colours, a long coat or double-breasted blazer, and a well-kept beard. For the romantic lead look, choose light shirts, easy layers and soft colours.
Shop the Bollywood hero look
2. Indian Style on the World Stage: The Met Gala 2025 Moment
In May 2025, Indian menswear had a big global moment. At the Met Gala, themed Superfine: Tailoring Black Style with the dress code "Tailored for You", two Indian stars made headlines:
- Shah Rukh Khan made his Met Gala debut in an all-black Sabyasachi look: a long wool coat, a silk shirt, a structured kamarbandh, layered chains and a tiger-head cane.
- Diljit Dosanjh wore a custom Prabal Gurung look inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, with an ivory and gold sherwani, a tehmat, an embroidered cape and a regal turban.
The takeaway for everyday men: Indian tailoring is cool again. Long coats, bandhgalas and indo-western sets are being styled with confidence, not just saved for the pheras.
Want to try the Indo-Western trend for the wedding season? Our winter wedding colour trends for 2026 will help you pick the right shade.
3. Cricket: The Biggest Style Stage in India
No one reaches Indian men like cricketers do. Their off-field looks, from airport outfits to award nights, are copied instantly.
- Virat Kohli built his own label, one8, and is known for a clean, consistent style: fitted suits, neat beard and minimal accessories.
- Shubman Gill has made sharp grooming and clean, polished outfits aspirational for young fans.
- Hardik Pandya made chains, studs and bold jewellery normal for Indian men, even on national television.
- MS Dhoni's changing hairstyles, from long hair in the 2000s onwards, have been viral style moments for years.
How to wear it: a well-fitted suit for events, a crisp printed shirt for the weekend, and a neat beard or clean fade. For more tailoring basics, see our men's blazer guide for 2026.
4. OTT Shows: Streaming Sets the Mood
Streaming has given Indian men a new kind of style reference: characters you watch for eight or ten episodes and slowly start dressing like.
- The Ba***ds of Bollywood (Netflix, September 2025): Aryan Khan's directorial debut, starring Lakshya, is a satire of the Hindi film industry set among premieres, parties and red carpets. It is a reminder of how much film-world glamour shapes what men want to wear to big events.
- Crime and small-town dramas have made simple, real-world clothes cool: plain shirts, kurtas, jackets and everyday Indian wear.
- Global shows keep "quiet luxury" and old-money style popular: neutral colours, fine knits and perfectly fitted tailoring.
Curious about the old-money trend? Read everything you need to know about the old money aesthetic for men.
5. K-Pop and Global Music
K-pop's influence on Indian men has grown steadily, especially among teenagers and college students. BTS returned as a full group after all seven members completed South Korea's military service (the last in June 2025), released their album ARIRANG in March 2026 and began a huge world stadium tour.
K-pop style trends you'll see in Indian cities:
- Oversized blazers and relaxed trousers in soft colours.
- Pastel shirts, cardigans and layered looks.
- Styled, textured hair and clean skin as part of the outfit.
- Gender-fluid touches like pearls, rings and softer fabrics.
Punjabi pop stars have a huge influence too. Diljit Dosanjh's mix of turban, traditional pieces and designer fashion has helped make Punjabi style a global look.
6. Influencers and Social Media
Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are now the fastest way a trend spreads. Creators test outfits, rate looks and show "how to style one blazer five ways", and their followers shop the same day.
- Get-ready-with-me videos have made grooming and fit as important as the clothes.
- Co-ords and printed shirts became everyday outfits because they look complete on camera.
- Wedding content shows grooms and guests a new range of looks, from pastel sherwanis to tuxedo-bandhgala mixes.
- Retro styles such as camp-collar shirts and bold prints are back because they photograph well.
Shop retro prints made for the camera
For more on prints, see our party wear shirts for men guide.
How to Use Pop Culture Trends Without Looking Like a Costume
- Take one idea, not the whole look. Borrow a colour, a jacket shape or a hairstyle, and keep the rest simple.
- Fit first. Every celebrity look works because it fits perfectly. Get your blazer and trousers altered.
- Match the occasion. A Met Gala-style long coat works for a winter reception, not a Monday meeting.
- Invest in classics, play with trends. Spend on a good suit or blazer, and try trends with budget pieces like printed shirts.
- Make it Indian. Mix a Western blazer with a kurta, or a bandhgala with jeans. That fusion is exactly what the world is noticing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does pop culture influence men's fashion?
Films, music, sport and social media show men new ways to dress and make those looks feel desirable. When a star wears something memorable, fans search for it, brands respond and it quickly becomes a trend.
Which celebrities influence Indian men's fashion the most?
Bollywood actors such as Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor, singers such as Diljit Dosanjh, and cricketers such as Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya have some of the biggest influence on how Indian men dress and groom.
What men's fashion trends are popular in 2026?
Indo-western and bandhgala looks, relaxed tailoring, long coats, retro printed shirts, pastel colours and quiet luxury neutrals are all popular, along with a strong focus on grooming.
How has social media changed men's fashion?
Trends now spread in days instead of seasons. Reels and Shorts let men see how clothes look in motion, compare styling ideas and shop instantly, which has made fit, grooming and camera-friendly outfits more important.
Shop Pop Culture-Inspired Looks at VJV Now
Recreate your favourite looks with our men's blazers, go for the royal Indian vibe with our indo-western collection, or try a retro print from our men's printed shirts.
