When I first started working at Orly, one word kept coming up in conversations is timeless.
Timeless kurta. Timeless silhouette. Timeless craftsmanship.
Honestly, I thought it was just a nicer way of saying simple. I was wrong.
The more I observed, the more I realized that timeless fashion is actually one of the hardest things to get right, especially in men’s ethnic wear.

1. Timeless Is Not Trend-Free:
There’s a common misconception that timeless means avoiding trends altogether. No experiments. No risks. Just neutral colours and “safe” designs.
But here’s the thing, clothes that are too safe often end up feeling forgettable.
What actually makes a piece timeless is balance.
A silhouette that doesn’t scream a particular year.
Details that feel intentional, not excessive.
Craftsmanship that doesn’t rely on novelty to stand out.
I’ve seen kurtas at Orly that are decades old in design language, yet still feel relevant today not because they’re plain, but because every detail has a reason to exist.

2. Why Timeless Is Harder in Ethnicwear:
Ethnicwear lives at the intersection of culture, occasion, and emotion.
It’s worn to weddings, festivals, family gatherings and moments that matter.
That means timeless ethnicwear has to do three things at once:

1. Respect tradition
2. Feel appropriate today
3. Still look good years from now

That’s a lot to ask from one outfit.
I’ve learnt that this is where most designs fail. They lean too heavily into trends, exaggerated cuts, loud colours, overdone embroidery and look outdated faster than expected.

3. The Details No One Talks About:

What surprised me most is how small things make a big difference:

1. The fall of the fabric
2. The placement of embroidery
3. The way a kurta sits on different body types
These aren’t things you notice instantly. But they’re the reason some outfits age gracefully while others don’t.

4. Why Timeless Doesn’t Mean Boring:

If timeless sounds boring, it’s probably being done wrong.
A well-made kurta with thoughtful details has a quiet confidence to it. It doesn’t need validation from trends or social media. It just works, whether you wear it today or five years later.

As someone still learning, I’ve realised that timeless fashion isn’t about standing out loudly.
It’s about never feeling out of place.
And honestly, that’s a much harder goal to achieve.

Arkajeet