How the Superstar Turned Quiet Luxury Into a Fashion Statement
When Bollywood’s most bankable superstar turns up at a high‑profile event, the world takes notice — not just for the charisma he projects, but increasingly for the wardrobe choices he makes. In early 2026, at the launch of Variety Magazine’s India edition, Salman Khan once again gave the fashion world something to talk about. But this time, it wasn’t a bold suit, a vibrant colour trend, or trend‑driven seasonal styles that stole the spotlight. Instead, it was an item of clothing whose price tag rivaled — and in some cases exceeded — the cost of a luxury SUV.
At first glance, Salman’s outfit seemed deceptively understated. The actor kept his look restrained and minimal, with styling choices that a casual observer might not immediately register as extravagant. But the true surprise was in the investment pieces he chose — most notably a luxury jacket priced at approximately Rs. 62,30,100. That’s right: a single outerwear piece costing more than many Indians spend on their daily homes, and, in some cases, more than the price of vehicles such as the Toyota Fortuner, a full‑size SUV that has become a symbol of premium mobility.
In an era where fashion is increasingly about signaling identity, subtlety, and personal luxury, Salman’s sartorial choice made an unmistakable impact. The jacket was not flashy or bedecked with logos; instead, it carried quiet confidence and was elevated by fine craftsmanship, premium materials, and the allure of Italian bespoke tradition. In this article, we explore how Salman Khan’s choice of attire at the Variety Magazine event became an emblem of contemporary luxury fashion — and how the superstar’s preference for reserved yet costly pieces reflects larger shifts in celebrity style and wealth signaling.
Luxury With Restraint: A Jacket That Speaks Without Shouting
The centerpiece of Salman’s outfit was the Brioni Embossed Leather Jacket, a piece that retail fashion connoisseurs and luxury shoppers know well. Brioni is an Italian fashion house synonymous with Italian tailoring excellence, handcrafted luxury, and understated elegance. The label enjoys a reputation for producing pieces that value craftsmanship over loud branding — garments that are recognized by those who understand quality rather than those who follow trend‑driven consumption.
What Makes the Jacket So Expensive?
This particular Brioni jacket commands a price above Rs. 62 lakhs due to several defining factors:
- Italian Craftsmanship: Each piece from Brioni is often handcrafted in Italy by artisans trained in decades‑old techniques — stitching, cutting, leatherwork, and finishing that elevate the garment from manufactured clothing to wearable art.
- Premium Leather: The jacket features embossed leather that is not only visually rich but also rare in texture and finish. The process of embossing high‑grade leather requires precision and time, making the material more costly than standard leather.
- Design Philosophy: Unlike mainstream luxury brands that rely heavily on logos, large branding, or trend cycles, Brioni’s design language is rooted in quiet opulence — the kind appreciated by seasoned collectors and fashion purists.
Salman paired this statement jacket with Amiri Tan Carpenter Jeans, which retails for approximately Rs. 1,19,890. Known for their contemporary designs and blend of comfort and street‑chic style, Amiri jeans offered a grounding contrast to the ultra‑luxury jacket — an interplay of high fashion and wearable cool.
The Rest of the Look: Balance With Purpose
While the jacket garnered headlines for its valuation, the rest of Salman’s outfit played a strategic role in shaping the overall visual narrative.
Footwear: Rugged Meets Refined
Salman completed his look with Brune & Bareskin lightweight chunky boots in camel, priced at around Rs. 12,999. These boots were not random accessories but carefully chosen pieces to balance the jacket’s refined luxury with practical, grounded footwear.
What may appear as a modest price range compared to the jacket serves a pointed stylistic purpose. Rather than pairing another high‑end designer piece that might overwhelm or dilute the outfit’s visual coherence, the chunky boots introduce:
- Textural Diversity: The contrast between embossed leather and rugged camel footwear creates visual interest without clashing.
- Wearability: The boots suggest that luxury fashion need not be impractical — rugged yet stylish, they reinforce the idea that real‑world fashion can be as functional as it is aspirational.
- Minimalism That Works: By avoiding overly prominent footwear, Salman allowed the jacket to remain the star of the outfit — a tactic that elevates the overall styling rather than fragmenting it.
Minimalist Styling: Let the Pieces Speak
One of the most striking lessons from Salman Khan’s appearance is the power of minimalism in luxury fashion. Rather than layering accessories, mixing prints, or pairing multiple high‑value items that risk visual clutter, the actor maintained a restrained styling approach — a choice that aligns with a growing trend among global luxury patrons.
Where celebrities of earlier fashion eras might have leaned into bold logos, flashy patterns, or oversized accessories, contemporary luxury signaling is increasingly subtle. What matters now is not how many high‑end brands someone wears, but how they demonstrate confidence in simplicity and value in craftsmanship.
This restraint underscores a valuable insight: luxury is not necessarily about ostentatious display, but about curated understatement — wearing fewer pieces that carry deeper significance, heritage, and quality.
Salman Khan: Style Preferences Rooted in Legacy and Craftsmanship
Salman Khan’s fashion choices over the years have frequently blended comfort with status. Whether it’s the watches he wears, the suits he selects for red‑carpet events, or the casual ensembles he’s photographed in, there’s a consistency to his aesthetic: preference for premium quality, classic design, and discreet appeal.
The recent Variety Magazine event is not the first time Salman’s wardrobe has grabbed attention. The actor is known for an enviable watch collection that has drawn headlines for the value of individual pieces — including high‑end Swiss timepieces worth several crores. These collections are often discussed not just for their retail value, but for:
- Craftsmanship: Swiss watches represent some of the finest horology in the world, with movements that are hand‑assembled and designs rooted in centuries‑old tradition.
- Exclusivity: Many high‑end watches are limited editions, making them sought‑after pieces for collectors.
- Longevity and Value: Unlike fast fashion or trend‑driven apparel, luxury watches often retain — or even increase — their value over time, making them investments beyond being mere accessories.
When a celebrity publicly showcases such pieces, it says as much about personal taste as it does about cultural narrative. For Salman, these choices align with a persona that values legacy, quiet craftsmanship, and pieces that acquire meaning over time.
Fashion Trends and Subtle Wealth Signaling
In recent years, fashion observers and cultural analysts have flagged a shift in how wealth is signaled through clothing. In contrast to earlier decades characterized by visible logos, host of accessories, and flamboyant style statements, contemporary luxury is trending toward quiet confidence and refined curation.
Salman Khan’s look at the Variety Magazine launch encapsulates this shift. With a jacket worth more than a luxury SUV and a minimalist outfit otherwise, the actor demonstrates that wealth need not be loud to be impactful. This trend aligns with certain broader fashion movements:
- Quiet Luxury: A term increasingly used in fashion discourse, quiet luxury refers to understated outfits that derive value from materials, heritage, technique, and cut rather than obvious branding.
- Timelessness Over Trends: Luxury connoisseurs are placing more emphasis on pieces that transcend seasonal trends and provide long‑term style value.
- Storytelling in Fashion: Garments like the Brioni jacket are not just clothes — they carry a story of craftsmanship, culture, heritage, and exclusivity.
- Functionality Meets Elegance: Practical wearability is merging with premium aesthetics, as evidenced by combining high‑end pieces like a luxury jacket with comfortable streetwear elements like jeans and rugged boots.
What makes this trend notable is how well it resonates beyond elite fashion circles. Celebrity fashion moments often shape broader consumer behaviour, and when icons like Salman Khan showcase minimalist luxury, it influences aspirational fashion sensibilities across markets.
Why the Jacket Grabbed Global Attention
A jacket costing Rs. 62 lakhs on a public figure instantly attracts headlines — but the conversation goes beyond mere shock value. The fascination stems from several intersecting factors:
1. Celebrity Influence
Salman Khan is not just an actor; he’s a cultural phenomenon in India and the Indian diaspora. His choices carry weight, whether in films, brand endorsements, or personal style. When he wears something distinctive, millions take notice.
2. Consumer Curiosity About Luxury
Luxury fashion conversations are no longer confined to elite circles. With social media, fashion blogs, celebrity coverage, and global digital engagement, audiences are highly curious about how high‑end fashion is interpreted on public personalities.
3. The Price Tag Versus Context
Comparing a jacket’s price to that of a luxury SUV anchors the abstract luxury cost (lakhs and crores) into something more tangible for a broader audience — sparking deeper public interest.
4. Story Over Statements
Rather than flashy brand logos or over‑the‑top design features, the jacket told a story: one of craftsmanship, precision, refined taste, and heritage fashion. In an era where stories matter more than statements, this resonates strongly.
Luxury Fashion Through Salman’s Lens
Salman Khan’s fashion sense has always struck a balance between personal comfort and elevated style. While he has been seen in bold outfits, statement suits, and casual luxe looks, there’s a recurring thread: pieces that feel intentional rather than impulsive.
This is visible in his choice of watches, for example. High‑end luxury timepieces — particularly Swiss brands — are not just stylish accessories; they are legacy pieces. Each watch often encapsulates history, mechanical mastery, and collector’s value.
In this context, the Rs. 62 lakh jacket fits into a larger style philosophy:
- Invest in pieces with heritage value
- Prioritize craftsmanship over flash
- Embrace minimalism that conveys sophistication
- Blend contemporary elements with timeless classics
Such an approach resonates not just with elite fashion connoisseurs, but with a global audience increasingly drawn to sustainable wardrobes, purposeful dressing, and value‑based consumption.
What This Moment Says About Evolving Fashion Culture
Salman’s appearance at the Variety Magazine event is a snapshot of broader shifts in how fashion functions in celebrity culture and public awareness:
Fashion Is Narrative‑Driven:
What celebrities wear today isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s also about identity, values, and storytelling. Pieces like the Brioni jacket carry narratives about tradition, exclusivity, and craft.
Investment Dressing Over Impulse Trends:
Many fashion observers note that modern luxury consumers are less focused on seasonal trends and more drawn to pieces that hold long‑term value — both monetarily and stylistically.
Celebrity Style Shapes Consumer Aspirations:
With global digital platforms amplifying every red‑carpet moment, celebrity outfits become reference points for aspirational audiences. What looks like restraint on a celebrity becomes inspiration for balanced luxury among everyday fashion enthusiasts.
Subtle Wealth Signaling Is the New Loud:
Open logos and flashy labels are giving way to pieces that deliver quality cues without overt branding — a trend visible across fashion capitals from Milan to Mumbai.
Salman Khan’s outing fits squarely into this framework. By choosing a statement piece and pairing it with understated elements, he showcased how luxury is communicated through craftsmanship and curation rather than overt display.
Conclusion: A Jacket, A Statement, A Moment
At first glance, an outfit may appear simple. But when carried with intention, understanding, and a sense of personal narrative, it becomes more than styling — it becomes a cultural statement.
When Salman Khan stepped out at the Variety Magazine launch in a Rs. 62 lakh jacket, the world didn’t just see an expensive outfit. What emerged was a fashion moment that:
- Reinforced the value of quiet luxury
- Celebrated craftsmanship over logos
- Demonstrated the power of minimalist styling
- Highlighted evolving trends in celebrity fashion
- Anchored luxury in tangible cultural context
In a world where fashion trends often change with seasons, moments like this remind us that true style is timeless, intentional, and rooted in deeper appreciation for quality and heritage. Salman Khan’s choice wasn’t merely about price — it was about presence.
And presence, as we’ve seen, is the truest form of luxury