At Deepee’s Jodhpur, we believe style starts with clarity. So here’s everything you need to know about bundi jacket or nehru jacket — from origins and evolution to how to wear one like you mean it.
First Things First: What Is This Jacket, Really?
Let’s describe it so we’re on the same page:
- Hip-length tailored jacket
- Mandarin or band collar (closed-neck)
- Sleeveless
- Buttoned-up front
- Worn over a kurta, shirt, or pathani suit
This iconic piece has been worn by politicians, royals, and style icons alike — and somehow, it’s been known by two different names.
So where did it begin?
The Nehru Jacket: The Original Trailblazer
History: The jacket takes its name from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, who was often seen in a closed-collar coat inspired by the Achkan and Sherwani. His version had sleeves and was longer, but the modern sleeveless style we now associate with his name became popular in the 1960s.
In fact, international icons like The Beatles and Sean Connery adopted the “Nehru jacket” look during its global fashion moment.
Vibe
- Elegant
- Intellectual
- Cultural
- Minimalist yet formal
Fabric Tip: Nehru jackets in silk blends, jacquard, or textured cotton create a perfect ethnic-yet-smart finish.
The Modi Jacket: The Contemporary Comeback
History: Fast forward to the 2010s — Narendra Modi, India’s current Prime Minister, began wearing a tailored sleeveless jacket over his kurtas in almost every public appearance. While it was technically a Nehru jacket, its styling became so distinctive that the public started calling it the “Modi Jacket.”
It symbolized:
- Power dressing with Indian roots
- Everyday elegance
- Politician meets professional
Many young men began adopting this style as a fashionable yet cultural outer layer — something versatile enough for weddings and boardrooms alike.
Cultural Power Dressing: From Cabinets to Cameras
Fashion in India has always been more than fabric — it’s identity, heritage, and often, quiet rebellion. The Nehru jacket, in that sense, wasn’t just a piece of clothing. It became a visual signature of intellectual nationalism.
Jawaharlal Nehru’s tailored, closed-collar look set the tone for how Indian politicians dressed post-independence — proud, rooted, and dignified. Over the decades, this jacket became symbolic of power without pomp.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and the Modi jacket gave it new life. With every public appearance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned this once-historic silhouette into a contemporary staple for leadership and diplomacy — showing how traditional wear could still command modern authority.
But politicians weren’t the only ones keeping the look alive.
From Bollywood actors like Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal to fashion-forward influencers on Instagram, the sleeveless jacket made a full-circle comeback. Styled with kurtas, pathani suits, even jeans — the Nehru/Modi jacket became a fusion fashion moment, proving its versatility and timelessness.
Deepee’s Edit: Why Our Jackets Stand Out
We take this silhouette seriously.
Here’s what makes Deepee’s Modi/Nehru Jackets the preferred pick:
- Tailored in Jodhpur — where tradition meets the contemporary man
- Available in rich fabrics – silk blends, jacquards, linens, suiting materials
- Subtle design upgrades – antique buttons, contrast linings, hand finishes
- Fits that flatter all body types — from sharp cuts to custom sizes.
Conclusion
Call It What You Want. Just Wear It Well.
Whether you’re stepping into a mandap, a boardroom, or a gallery opening — this jacket will never let you down.
Nehru Jacket or Modi Jacket? The name doesn’t matter.
How you carry it does.
