Mr Jinnah, the Fashion Icon |
The youngest Indian lawyer to leave Lincoln’s Inn, Muhammad Ali Jinnah was truly a masterpiece; a polished, put-together man. While there have been plenty of world leaders throughout history who have dressed in a relatively shabby manner, others are among the most well-dressed men in the history of the public sphere, and a great deal of their success often had to do with the way they looked. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, was one such individual, as he was not only loved by his countrymen but also considered by many to be among the best-dressed individuals of his era. Jinnah was a true fashionista at heart.
He served looks that people today could hardly rival. From Oxford tailoring to double-breasted blazers, from impeccably cut trenches to his signature sherwanis, Jinnah did it all.He was known for his penchant for fashion and used menswear accessories to highlight and accentuate his trademark aesthetic. Jinnah was a huge fan of the monocle, a piece that really helped to define his look. While monocles were not unheard of at the time, Jinnah was one of the few world leaders to wear one with such prominence, and he truly made the look his own. Monocles were not only used for their functional purposes, but were also worn as status symbols. It is no secret that Jinnah had a great deal of wealth at the time of his peak prominence, and the monocle he wore served to showcase not only his wealth but also his interest in accessories and fashion.
He was a well-dressed and sophisticated man of his time. Jinnah dressed himself perfectly; his elegant and magnificent personality gave him respect wherever he went. It is narrated that on a visit to London for a political meeting, he stayed in a hotel. In the morning, he descended from his hotel suite into the breakfast hall, using the stairs. When the people present in the restaurant noticed him, they all rose involuntarily and stood up as a gesture of respect to him. Never one to sit back and wear whatever came through the door. It is said that before independence, Jinnah owned over 200 suits, which he wore with heavily starched shirts with detachable collars.
As a barrister, he........