Rainy Fiesta

By: Shilpi Alexander

This monsoon, adorn your wardrobe with a strikingly unconventional and smart collection.

There’s nothing like a bad weather that, as you say, prevents you from looking stunning and stylish. All that could possibly be wrong is your sense of dressing. Just a little thought can help you be your sizzling best during the wet season as well. Here’s how...

Go for aqua prints

Look pretty in coral and aqua prints this season. Wearing solid colours like maroon and black prints look ravishing even at evening functions during monsoons. Also, certain geometric patterns coupled with the floral ones work perfect for a day out with friends. Merge with the monsoon, so to speak.

Monsoon hues
Dark, deep and bold colours promise a resplendent look on a rainy day. Colours like orange tend to be dominant as they overshadow the paleness of the surroundings and make you stand out in the crowd. Bright shades of indigo, pink, aqua, blue, lime and olive green are the best ones to cheer you up around this time of the year when it’s not sunny all the time and you need some mood uplifting. Wrinkle free clothing in dark shades of black and brown make an ideal formal wear. Beige tined with multi-colours and black seem perfect during the rain. A lot of mix and match of colours for clothing add fun to monsoon fashion, especially when rains make you playful. The accent this season is on colour black. A hint of black to your attire just does wonders as it makes you stand out.

Settle on softer fabric

Any clothing ranging from tops, skirts, and dresses will go with the season, while a knee length costume along with a coloured pair of leggings would best sustain the monsoon sprit. Light weight silks and softer cottons are highly recommended for monsoon wear as they are easily manageable and do not form much wrinkles. Moreover, silk provides scope for myriad bold colours and also keeps you warm. Blended fabrics of polynylon and cotton will be ideal. A right choice of fabric is more important, as some of them lose their sheen and get spoilt quickly once they get wet. 
Avoiding crepe and chiffon clothes are desirable, as they will lose their sheen one they become wet. Capri and beach wear designed with a proper fit will flatter the shape and also protect the wearer from wet conditions. Cool casuals for the season would be a jeans fitted with a cotton shirt. Silk and rayon will also make a popular choice during this season adding depth to the hues with variances in the colour palette which is otherwise not seen. Palazzo pants teamed with tank tops make good fusion wears whereas, elegant zardosi work on satin fabrics make the mark on ethnic collection. Denims are all time favourite even during the heavy downpour making a perfect combination with trendy T-shirts. Polka dot tops with boat necks will look great for evening wear. Opt for a close-fitting, knitted pullover shirt, jacket, or sweater (often called jersey) is a great option for some mix and match as it’s not too dressy and makes you look stylish in a downpour.

No light no white
It is not so wise to wear white or any other pale or light colour during monsoon as they tend to add to the dullness and dreariness of this murky weather. Moreover, they catch stains easily and get messy while commuting in rainy season. Even lighter fabrics like chiffons and georgettes should be avoided as they lose sheen on exposure to water.

Accessorise Right

Saggy clothes and wet boots are a part of the monsoon, but right choice of accessories, will help to dodge the puddles and give a trendy look. Wearing prints can be a disaster if you do not know how to accessorise right. If you’re wearing a bright printed shirt, wear a single coloured, plain trouser and vice- versa. Long beaded necklaces pair up very well with bright printed dresses and skirts worn with plain white tops. For the evening a smart clutch bag would go quite well, while for the morning keep it simple with a plain bag so that the attention is on what adorns your body. Walk out wearing a bright dress accessorized with a deep coloured handbag, a brightly coloured footwear and a multi-coloured scarf for that perfect, chic look in the rains.

Go natural

The trick to not look all washed-out if you are caught in a heavy downpour mid-way is to keep your makeup light during this wet season. Use water-proof makeup (mascara, liners, foundation) when required. For the cheeks, stick to pastel shades with rosy undertones. Add some drama to the eyes using pencil eye-liners in fresh colours like green and blue. Use matt lip colours or lightly tinted lip balms. Minimal makeup also helps sustain humidity. Wear your hair short, or select a style that can bounce back into place easily after being wet. Avoid hairstyles that require your hair to be straightened, crimped or curled since the high levels of humidity in the air will make the hair go limp.

Best foot-wear forward

The first advice is - put your leather and suede shoes away until winter. And if you must wear shoes, wear socks. They act as a barrier between the skin and the leather, preventing bacterial growth. Pick only water-proof materials. Flip flops often flap when you’re walking, causing long stripes of dirt on the calves. Instead, go for sporty sandals or floaters with straps. They hold the shoe in place. Crocs can be very slippery. Go for rubber slip-ons as they are easy to wash and let the feet breathe. Lycra boots look great and survive monsoon. How about experimenting with gum boots and incredible rubber heels? Some real fancy ones are available online. Check out.

Unlike the general norm of staying at home or dressing too casually when going out during this season, showers of the monsoon are actually the right time to refurbish your wardrobe. Go for beautiful patterns and give a sunny look on a rainy day. Look smart with bold colours, soft fabric and have a fashion fiesta.