(Image source from: Is it right to judge Narendra Modi only by what he wears?})

Get over Michelle Obama, world. It's time to make way for the new fashion icon, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yes, Mr. Modi is the newest pin up of politics as the New York Times would want us to believe.

Ever since Mr. Modi phenomenal win in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the media and press haven't been able to restrain themselves from going gaga over the man, his massive mandate, his new policies and now his wardrobe. Countless things have been said and written on #ModiKurta

Just a couple of days back, the American daily carried a seven-point deconstruction of Modi's wardrobe to play up his well-crafted nationalist image and how his wardrobe reflects a strong connection to his roots. While the keen interest in the country's PM is quite understandable, the world's newfound zeal for his kurtas, Nehru jackets, and pyjama is quite amusing. Funnier are the theories surrounding it that claim that 'never before has there been such a strong convergence between what a politician in India stands for and his clothing'. Sadly NYT doesn't elaborate.

Given that kurtas, be it long sleeved, short sleeved, quarter-sleeved, have been there forever with everyone, right from an aspiring Marxist to Manish Malhotra's models having sashayed it across roads, ramps and runways, it's surprising how a humble piece of clothing has managed to shake and stir and take the foreign media by a storm.

The article enlists seven points to prove how Modi's kurta is unique. Not just that. It goes to the extent of even calling it a 'democratic' piece of clothing. Now what is a 'democratic' piece of clothing for chrissake? Thankfully, NYT explains this time. According to it, it's a democratic piece of clothing because anyone can dress in the same way.

Stretching a bit too far, the article compares Modi to the young Gandhi scion Rahul, whose white Kurta-Pajama reeks of elitism and his Oxford days as compared to Modi's humble half-sleeved shirt.

Harping further on the humility of Modi's wardrobe, it writes:'This in turn underscored Mr. Modi’s humble beginnings (he was the son of a tea seller), as he does not need to pretend to be humble; he can embody upward mobility.'

'Seven: the fact that Mr. Modi’s kurtas are made from materials that include organic cottons and silks, combined with his unabashed fondness for nice watches (he has a Movado) and sunglasses (Bulgari), is the sort of aspirational dressing that mirrors the vision he has for his country and its industries.'

All said and done, let's ask the American media one simple question. Is it that impossible for an Indian politician to have good taste in clothes? Or does the NYT deems Indian politicians as filthy-looking pan spitting, badly-dressed bunch with screwed up sartorial sense?

What's the harm in considering Modi a well-dressed politician instead of making his wardrobe seem like a great political strategy?

In an interview with The Outlook, Modi's aide Amit Shah had said about his dress of choice: "Let me tell you that the kurta pyjama that Modi wears is originally a Mughal outfit."

Also, during his first Google Hangout, Modi himself had said that he prefers a convenient, comfortable and work-friendly wardrobe.

So how can one define Narendra Modi as a 'Leader Who is What he Wears'? And not by what he says or what he does. Silly, isn't it?

AW: Suchorita Choudhury