Bollywood’s favourite designer Manish Malhotra shares what a guy should wear on a first date: ‘So if he wants to be this…’

The question, asked half-jokingly by the interviewer—“What should a guy wear on a first date?”—sparked a thoughtful and personalised response.

“What should a guy wear on his first date—it should be something that he wants to project himself as,” said Malhotra. “So if he wants to be this guy who is very casual, confident, with all this messy hair look, and this watch should go the way he’s dressed. But if somebody wants to set this thing like, ‘I know what I’m doing, I’m this young guy but I’m a little more mature,’ he should wear a nice crisp shirt, nice crisp trouser—or a better pair of cool jeans that fit him really well.”

So, not a one-size-fits-all formula—thankfully. Instead, the designer urges men to think about how they want to feel and come across. Want to look mature and sharp? Crisp shirts and tailored trousers or well-fitting jeans are the way to go. Want to keep it casual and confident? Own that vibe.

It’s that mix of personal expression and polish that Malhotra believes hits the right tone—especially on a first date (Source: Instagram/@manishmalhotra)

And when the interviewer poked fun at his own outfit, joking, “I called my mum, I video-called her, and she said this outfit is a crime. A hate crime, in her words!”—Malhotra didn’t miss a beat.

“No, this is you, right?” he smiled. “You’re casual. You’ve just thrown something over.”

When the interviewer insisted, “No, I’m trying!”—Malhotra grinned knowingly.

“You’re trying, but you’re not trying. You get it, sir. You get it.”

It’s that mix of personal expression and polish that Malhotra believes hits the right tone—especially on a first date, when impressions are being formed and confidence is key.

But the interview wasn’t all about clothes. When asked what keeps him going after three decades in the fashion industry, Malhotra’s answer was immediate and heartfelt.

“I think love. Love for what I do. When you love what you do, it never tires you,” he said. “I’ve been in this industry for 30 years, and I still get excited when I see a swatch of fabric, or a young actor trying on something for the first time. That excitement—it keeps you young.”

That same passion drives his advice for younger creatives just starting out. “Be honest with your work. Don’t do it for fame. Don’t do it because it’s glamorous. That will fade. Do it because you want to wake up every morning and create something beautiful.”