FT NEWS

Monsoon season has begun, and the rains bring with them a beautiful aura, pleasant vibes, and a special euphoria. The golden rule for the season is understanding how to layer. The best part about layering is that you can modify your outfit to suit the weather depending on how hot, cool or wet it gets. Get on-board the sporty athleisure trend with a pair of denim joggers for ease and comfort. Ideally, denim shorts and chinos work best to prevent mud stains and rain splatters. Add a dash of colour to the grey days by sporting vibrant chinos and printed shorts and tees. Layer this with a plain white shirt, checks or washed out denim shirt for a relaxed vibe. T-shirts and tanks are a great way to look stylish and add graphics to your wardrobe. Ride the wave with the nautica trend, and rock printed anchors, sails and ombre tees.

A handy tip to ensure that your clothes survive the damp climate is to buy a set of air dehumidifiers for your closet. As drying isn't as effective, avoid washing your denims often, as this causes the fibres to become weak. The key is to choose the right clothes and accessories that are functional in the rain, so here I am with my fashion monsoon tips that everyone should know.

Choosing the right fabric: It is almost impossible to not get drenched in a sudden downpour when we step outside during monsoons and therefore choosing the right fabric is crucial. Fabrics like chiffons and polyesters and cotton are not only comfortable and light, but can be dried easily too, making them monsoon must-haves. Woolens and silk must be avoided because they take longer to dry and tend to get spoilt due to moisture.

Opt for a jazzy pop of colour: Monsoon blues are a real thing, so bright shades are important to beat the dull and grey weather. Orange, canary yellow, neon green, and fuchsia pink can be great style statements. If bold colours are not your game, ten opt for solid dark colours. A neon pair of socks can add some funk to your look.

 Always wear socks: It is ideal to avoid closed footwear in the monsoon, however, most of us do not have the liberty to wear casual footwear at work. If you wear closed footwear in monsoon, make sure to wear waterproof socks. It will keep your feet dry and safe from bacterial infection. Thicker than usual socks; waterproof socks come with moisture-wicking and antimicrobial properties.

Right footwear: A wrong choice of footwear can make things worse during monsoon as commuting can be quite cumbersome by itself. Do not wear shoes that are made of leather, suede, and velvet as they can get damaged when they come in contact with water. Instead, go for rubber footwear such as flip-flops, plastic footwear, jelly shoes, and crocs which are stylish and non-slippery.

Suitable attire: Choose shorts, skirts, and dresses with a short hem. Denim is a sturdy and all weather fabric and a pair of nicely crafted jeans can be your best fashion companion during the rains. As a dark pair of jeans will not show that it's wet, a pair of slim or skinny jeans in dark blue or black is a perfect choice for a rainy day. Stain during the rain or mud marks will not be very much visible and can be dusted out easily. Definitely avoid whites as stains can be visible very vividly. Floral prints are in vogue so floral shirts with knee-length shorts can be a cool breezy outfit. You could fold your denims a few notches and team it with a t-shirt for a dressier look.

There are options of water repellent denims available in the market, which makes life easier during the rains. Skinny Jeans crafted out of lightweight denim are the best choice for the rainy season, as they’ll hold their shape even if you’re drenched. Fabric being light will dry quickly. Denim shorts are also the best way to enjoy rain hassle free. Wear a pair of jeans and complete the look with some cool accessories. Enjoy the rain by swapping your leather handbag for an all-weather cross-body bag.

There is nothing worse than getting caught in the rain unprepared. The rain is a little difficult
season to dress for, as the showers can be spotty and muddy at the same time. While the grey days are here to stay, add sunshine by styling your wardrobe. Get trendy, holler at your mates and take a road trip to the near hills to enjoy the fresh, cool air.

A cool backpack: You may want to skip carrying your phone and wallet without any protection during the monsoon. Waterproof backpacks can be quite useful to carry your valuables and even home your umbrella in a cover.