Udit Arneja on the Timeless Subtly of Style

I’d say my style is simple with hints of flair, I stick to basics but add a twist to certain things. I like to take my time with it, but not to the point where it’s a problem. It’s just some core principles of colour combinations and matching aesthetics, and when in doubt, I always reach for a crisp white tee, my black Levi’s 512s, and a pair of classic white sneakers. 

I’d like to say that reflects my personality – I take the same approach with my other hobbies, mainly cars and coffee. I like to learn and understand the basics thoroughly, and the rest as much as possible. But I never get to the point where my hobbies become a chore, the point is to have fun and enjoy them, as with fashion.

I think it started as a kid, I’d always look up to well-groomed men as people who were established in life. As I grew up and became more independent, I started becoming more aware of what I was wearing, as a way to look more ‘put together’. Some people that inspired me early on were Singh Street Style and Jus Reign (yes, I’ve been told I look like him), back in the early days of Instagram. I mostly stuck to a uniform with my outfits during the time, but I slowly started putting a little bit of effort, which kind of led to where my style is today.

I think my personal style is always evolving, as is with fashion in general. You always see something new every day, which keeps adding on to your sense. Currently, I’m guilty of falling into the “old money” trend, sticking to pastels and lighter tones. I follow dozens of enthusiasts on social media, which is where I pick and choose most outfits from. Some of my favourites are Brandon Balfour, One Dapper Street, and P’Guy from The Decorum. Other than that, the people in my life always keep inspiring me – from my fiancée to my friends, I always love to take suggestions and views from others.

Something I always do is try to dress for the occasion. If I’m not aware of the dress code, I’ll stick to a slightly overdressed attire. I stick to the philosophy that it’s always best to be overdressed than under. I typically begin styling my outfits with what shoes I wear; a tip my mum gave me early on. Other than that, it’s just about picking the right colours. I tend to wear a lighter palette during the day, and a darker one at night. Lastly, I’ll accessorise, usually just the right watch does the trick!

It involved a lot of wine one night, with my business partner/best friend Arm. We both have a keen eye for sartorial menswear, but with different perspectives to it. We figured it would be interesting to merge the two senses into what isour brand, sticking to basics with an added twist. Turns out, given our friendship, we understood each other very well to be able to synchronise our ideas into our pieces.

Both Arm and I agreed that quality was going to be a core focus. The good thing about the menswear space is that clothes aren’t just seen as things you wear, but also as an investment. Well-designed garments should serve more purpose than just “looking good”, they should carry a story and have an objective. They have a lifetime for more than just a couple washes; they can be passed down. Our design philosophy emphasizes just that, along with functionality and simplicity. We ensure there’s no compromise on quality, from drafting silhouettes to the tailor’s last sew, our pieces reflect our commitment to great products, making them “jam-ben” or essential.

One’s house reflects their lifestyle; it’s how you curate your personal space to showcase yourself, and your way of living. We do just that by carefully studying what the market currently has, and what it’s lacking, then we bridge that gap. We also take into account the advantages of a certain location, and offer customers a concept of life that the landscape can offer best.

With Sylva, we recognised a gap in the market: designs often lacked functionality, and the lush greenery surrounding Huay Yai, Pattaya, wasn’t getting the credit it deserved. Most projects simply offer a set number of bedrooms with a living space, but modern living demands more – more flexibility, more creativity, and more ways for people to express themselves. To address this, we introduced additional living areas within the confines of a home, including a rooftop bar with a terrace that overlooks the stunning scenery, as well as the den, a versatile area that can function as a workspace or a sanctuary for relaxation. Honouring the location’s natural beauty, we embraced the concept of “Nature’s Embrace,” incorporating materials such as wood, stone, and marble to create a design that feels organic yet refined.

I’d say it comes back to wanting to go that extra mile. Putting in that extra effort goes a long way; not just in your style, but in all aspects of life. The world can notice it; and eventually, that brings new opportunities. You basically rinse and repeat when it comes to putting in that extra effort and eventually, you get to where you want to go.

My wristwatch from my dad, it’s a simple gold-plated Quartz movement from Nebula, with a pearl dial. It’s special to me because I remember accompanying my dad as he bought the watch for himself when I was 11. Having no knowledge of watches at the time, he trusted me to help him choose it. He wore it regularly until he passed it down to me, making it even more special—it’s also the watch that sparked my love for timepieces. No GMT or Speedmaster can come close to it, just because of the memory.

My watch, keys and a spritz of cologne–I’m currently hooked on Sauvage by Dior.