Festive dressing for men has evolved beyond the conventional kurta-pyjama and bandhgalas, with more men experimenting with colours, relaxed silhouettes and accessories to make a personal style statement. Cricketer KL Rahul believes the key to getting festive fashion right is finding a balance between looking good and feeling comfortable. The cricketer, who recently featured in Crocs’ festive campaign, says he has become more open to experimenting with his wardrobe over the years, even though his personal style continues to remain understated.“My festive style is still quite simple. I like clean silhouettes and things that don’t feel too overdone. But I have become more open to experimenting with colours and different silhouettes,” he says.Rahul, who spends much of his professional life in cricket gear and training clothes, admits that his approach to fashion has become more relaxed with time. “My approach has definitely become more relaxed over the years. When you spend most of your life in cricket clothes and training gear, you start appreciating things that are comfortable and easy. At the same time, I enjoy dressing up when there is an occasion for it. I think today you don’t necessarily have to choose between looking good and feeling comfortable. For me, the best outfit is one where you feel like yourself and don’t have to think about it too much,” he says.This approach also reflects in his experience of styling Crocs’ Classic Ballet and Saturday Sandals with festive outfits, paired with embellished Jibbitz charms. While festive dressing often comes with certain expectations, Rahul enjoyed the idea of bringing a more relaxed element into the mix. “I actually enjoyed experimenting with the looks because festive dressing usually comes with a certain idea of what you are expected to wear. The Saturday Sandals felt like a nice way of making the look more relaxed without taking away from it. I also liked the Jibbitz for both the silhouettes — the Crocs Classic Ballet and Saturday Sandals — because you can add a little bit of your own personality to the footwear. I think that is what surprised me the most, how easily something so comfortable can still feel festive and put together,” he adds.Away from fashion, the cricketer also maintains a mindful approach to food, given the demands of professional sport. While nutrition remains an important part of his routine, he believes there should be room to enjoy a meal without constantly worrying about what is on the plate. “I think there’s something very comforting about a good home-cooked meal after a long day. With professional cricket, nutrition is a big part of your routine because you have to be mindful of what you eat and how it affects your body. But I also believe food should be enjoyed. It’s about finding a balance and understanding what your body needs, especially during the season. When I have some downtime, I like being able to enjoy a meal without overthinking it. For me, the key is consistency rather than trying to be perfect all the time,” he says.