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Zero Gravity
In the searing Delhi heat, who would want to put on a snazzy woolen jacket and step out in the sun? That thought left me a tad dispirited when I first received Park Avenue's Zero Gravity Jacket - in a packet that was puny compared to the bulky and tedious covers that are generally required to carry suits. The packet was slightly bigger than an A4 size sheet, almost the size of a laptop. "How can you fit a jacket into that?" was the first thought that crossed my mind.
To my wonderment, the packet contained a beige, compactly-packed jacket, which, when unfolded, was more or less wrinkle-free. It lacked the kind of nifty appearance I was hoping for, but its grainy texture gave it an unexplained robustness that made it look alluring. And, as far as wearing it in the summer was concerned, its lightness amazed me even more.
The Zero Gravity, Park Avenue's latest offering, is an innovation that aims to cater to men who are always on the move. As Hetal Kotak, Park Avenue's brand director, explains: "The Zero Gravity Jacket tries to comply with all the essentialities of men - save time, money and space, and provide comfort and care at the same time." As the name suggests, the Zero Gravity is a lightweight jacket that doesn't feel too ponderous on the shoulders. And, you can easily pack five of them in your suitcase.
When I tried it on, I looked nothing like I've always wanted to - like a Matt Bomer effortlessly scampering away with a Raphael in White Collar or a David Beckham watching Roger Federer in action on the immaculate grass of Wimbledon's Centre Court, thanks to my broad frame. But it fitted rather well, and after a good half hour of wearing it, I was barely sweating. In fact, never did it feel that I had an extra layer of clothing on.
The Zero Gravity is made of wool fabric that is wrinkle-resistant. Park Avenue is one of several brands that are now promoting the "cool wool" mantra, desperately trying to dispel the myth that wool cannot keep you cool. "The wool is such it does provide you warmth, but doesn't make you sweat at the same time," explains Kotak. "Also, the Zero Gravity is 30-40 per cent lighter than a normal jacket."
In spite of what the maker claims to be a wrinkle-resistant fabric, the jacket does crumple after a while, giving it a somewhat ungainly look. And, since it is cotton - not linen - it doesn't look quite exquisite even in its crushed state. Also, for it to be ready to wear while you're travelling, the ironing has to be impeccable before it is packed into the suitcase.
While it does look chic, the Zero Gravity is primarily a formal jacket. It will find its place in any boardroom meeting, but it might not be so easy to pair it with a pair of chinos or jeans. It will look just right at a formal dinner, not so at a friend's birthday. But for those who wish to appear prim even in the sultry summer, the Zero Gravity can prove to be a reliable companion. Also, you might not have to pay for extra luggage while boarding a flight the next time. The range for the "floating" jacket starts from Rs 10,000.
Shower Clean
For somebody who has made an annoying habit of spilling food on his clothes, Park Avenue's second offering in its travel-friendly series, the Shower Clean Jacket, is a product that had me enamoured right away. The last time I accidentally poured a bit of Cola on my linen Nehru jacket, it had to be instantaneously packed off to the dry cleaners. The Shower Clean can save you from that hassle.
As Kotak explains, the Shower Clean is an easy maintenance jacket that can withstand day-to-day stains. "It is a water and soil-resistant jacket that can handle simple stains. We came out with this also keeping the monsoon in mind," he says. "When you're out in this weather, you can't easily escape dirtying your attire. The Shower Clean is precisely for that purpose."
The jacket enables you to wash off stains simply by daubing some water on it. "Minor stains such as those of oil and food can be immediately removed. The jacket's inner fabric also helps eliminate odour and bacteria," says Kotak. Much like the Zero Gravity, the Shower Clean is crafted with a wool-rich fabric that requires little ironing.
The Shower Clean, though almost as light as the Zero Gravity, doesn't quite provide the protection from the muggy monsoon weather that you would like. It does start to feel heavy after a while. Park Avenue, along with the jacket, has also come out with the Shower Clean Trousers. Available in blue, black and grey shades (I would have preferred a few more lively colours), the cost of saving yourself a visit to the dry cleaners starts at Rs 7,000
