The Tamesis
May 12, 2026
kathmandu – T-shirts, blazers and sunglasses are a must-have during Balendra Shah’s 2022 Kathmandu mayoral campaign. He decisively defeated the candidates of the established parties.
As mayor, his dressing style has not changed whether it is a formal or informal occasion. Although occasionally, he appears in a black daura-suruwal, a Newar version of Nepal’s traditional dress.
Ahead of the elections on March 5, 2026, Shah has chosen different fashion styles – sleeveless pajamas or jeans and T-shirts – while running for prime minister.
When he was sworn in as prime minister on March 27, he returned to black attire – a black daura-suruwal and sunglasses. On April 8, when he met with the resident ambassador at the Prime Minister’s Office in Kathmandu, he did not wear traditional Nepalese clothing, but his signature black suit. He did not wear goggles to attend the meeting, but came back to take one-on-one photos with the envoys.
A black T-shirt, black jacket and black sunglasses have become part of his enigmatic persona, reflecting his reputation for rarely participating in public events. Many observers point out that all-black clothing reinforces a serious, authoritative image, emphasizing discipline and mystery. In more than a month in office, the Shah has made no public appearances, cementing his image as a silent manipulator.
However, on May 10, he posted a photo on Facebook and a video on TikTok, wearing a white shirt, striped pants, white shoes, and sunglasses. The posts went viral within minutes.
Social media users were quick to respond. Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are awash with Nepalis sharing photos of their AI-generated Balendra look – all in white and complete with sunglasses. His white sneakers became a particular talking point. Users began searching for the shoe’s price, and TikTok videos sparked debate with titles such as “How much do Barron’s shoes cost?” “Prime Minister’s hot sneakers” and “Cheap shoes, expensive vibe.”
Some claim that the shoes are priced at just Rs 1,200. TikTok user Leela, who shows off the same brand she owns, said: “These shoes went viral because Barron posted a photo wearing them. He’s actually pretty simple. You don’t need to be the Prime Minister to wear these shoes.” Fans also noticed that Shah posted the photo without a caption. Many people commented: “Even if you don’t say it, you should at least write something!”
In politics, clothes do matter. But it’s unclear whether Shah’s all-black look happened by accident or if it was an intentional part of his identity. As a rapper and performer, he probably has an innate sense of style.
He changed into all-white outfits on Saturday, a weekly holiday and leisurely day in Nepal, a move that prompted criticism of the recent decision. His use of bulldozers to demolish buildings and evict landless squatters on the banks of the Kathmandu river and his recommendation of a junior judge as chief justice rather than a senior judge have drawn sharp criticism.
While the Shah remains wary, the thinking behind his sudden transition from black to white is only a matter of speculation—was it intended to send a signal of openness, neutrality, or a softer approach? There was no caption attached to the photo, and it appears he left its meaning open to interpretation.
Whether the color change is intentional or has a specific meaning remains unknown. Since taking office, Shah has maintained a strict discipline on posting on social media, his favored communication channel. After the Constitutional Council decree and the squatter management controversy, he published only two lengthy articles to justify government decisions. Unlike in the past, he has largely refrained from making personal and sometimes provocative comments.
Yet the May 10 post went viral so quickly, a sign of his popularity even as concerns remain about his governance style being seen as taciturn and tough.
For some businesses, these positions become an opportunity. A video uploaded by a user named “Ujeli Darpan” noted that demand was increasing after the prime minister’s new look attracted attention. Other shop owners also left messages saying: “Clothes like Barron’s are also sold here.”
Arjun Ghimire, who runs Shrinagar Fancy Store in Baneshwor, has also noticed this trend. Seeing customers searching for similar apparel online, he went to a wholesale shop in New Road early on Sunday and purchased sportswear similar to Balendra’s, priced between Rs 800 and Rs 1,500 depending on the quality. “After seeing all the discussion on social media, I brought them in. Let’s see how the business goes,” he said.
