The Long and Short of It

It's a trend that's finally arrived. But the long shirt look started a few seasons back with Rick Owens, who has made it a part of his goth uniform. Then Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten came out with their own refined Belgian versions. They gave it the air of a rich bohemian who picked up a few things on his worldly 1st class travels. But Damir Doma really showed the versatility of the long white dress shirt by pairing it with harem pants, suits and sweats worn over under and every which way.

Inspired by the long tunic shirts worn by most men in India and sub-Saharan Africa, the shirt does carry some political undertones with its close association with Muslim culture.

But in the world of fashion, everything is up for the fair game of exploitation. For Spring 2014, the men's Galliano collection moves the look forward by making the look completely wearable and surprisingly fresh.

I'm drawn to how they've given the basic suit a new dimension with a long tunic. Even the cropped black polka dot suit jacket didn't make me think clown. It made me think of Pagliacci at the Met! Sing it clown. Sing it.

YES
This is a trend that you need to try. I've already bought my Damir Doma and it's making the rounds.

NO
Wearing a tunic shirt won't make you look like a terrorist. But I wouldn't recommend wearing one at the airport if you have a beard or a darker shade of ivory.

MAYBE
You already wear tunics in your everyday life and it's so pase to you. Maybe you can try wearing a tunic in a print just to mix it up. You can put the New in New Delhi.