Instead of just wishing the rain away, discover a refreshing new edge to you! Take the lead from haute couture. It makes the most of each season for a special fashion collection. The monsoons bring an opportunity to strike a new style statement that can add the required panache to your image.
Flaunt the chic side of corporate wear with a rain-appropriate ensemble. Create waves with these easy tips for a smart professional look.
Soak In Style, While You Stay Cool And Dry
Nothing kills your trendy corporate image quicker than a soiled, drenched look. Beat the humidity with light-blended, breathable materials like cottons or mul, to stay cool all-day long. Some fabrics like polyester, lycra, nylon, rayon, chiffon and silks dry faster, making them ideal for a wet day. They are also less clingy & transparent when wet, are wrinkle-free, and are more resistant to mud stains.
Natural fabrics like bamboo fibre are known to bounce rain like water off a duck’s back, as do gabardine, and crepe silk.
A helpful guideline to know is that thin fabrics work better. Which means, avoid wool and linen that shrink with water.
Males can pair wrinkle-free, short-sleeved shirts in light cotton and polyester blends with gabardine trousers. Keep your pants in a dark tone, but add a splash of colour or pattern to liven up things.
For a more formal look, go with slim-fitted trousers with narrow equal-length bottoms and a casual field jacket for an elegant touch.
For those in an informal work setup, this is the time to sport your tees or shirts with trousers hemmed above the ankle. From shorts to bermudas and cargos to rolled-up pants, casual dressing just got cooler.
Women have a wider choice. You can play around with ethnic and formal wear, by mixing and matching your kurtis, tunics or blouses with leggings, jeggings or fitted skirts. Spice it up; add some pizzazz with sheer black stockings and waterproof boots. They are a lot more comfortable and dry quicker.
Lightweight material jackets in bright hues add an appealing edge for a formal setting.
When it’s pouring, bring out your knee-length dresses. Georgettes, chiffons, poly-cottons in bright colours and prints are trendy, have great durability and are easy to maintain.
If you prefer traditional styles, give it a twist. Replace your dupatta with a scarf. Put away your Bandhani and Rajasthani prints – they bleed when wet. Your patialas, salwar kameez, anarkalis, designer brocades and heavy saris follow suit. Opt for khadi and lightweight prints – they’ll always stay in vogue.
Go Wild, Not Wet, With Rainwear
Stay dry with a light, hooded raincoat, poncho, jacket or trench coat. The flooding of transparent neon coats in the market has lifted the gloom. Bikers can gear up in trendy rainsuits. The classic trench coat adds fashionable elegance without coming across as overdressing. Invest in a nylon one for complete protection.
Fashionistas can go crazy with colour and varied styles, from long coats to short ones, two-piece rainsuits, blazer-style jackets and more. With foldable umbrellas now made sturdier, keep one in your bag at all times for complete cover.
Step Out In Comfort, Step Up With Confidence
Slip into good soled, ribbed-rubber shoes to avoid skidding on dangerously wet floors and surfaces.
Classic all-weather shoes like Perspex and patent leather make for a dressier style for work. Avoid flat-based shoes like canvas, flip-flops, running shoes, suede and leather ones in the rains. While your leather shoes provide great traction and have a dressy look, these expensive shoes can come apart when wet.
Find a pair of overshoes; they are the best protection for your fancy footwear. They fit over your regular shoes, keeping your feet and shoes dry.
Gumboots, floaters, crocs, open sandals are great for casual wear. Fitness-lovers can still go sporty with thin fabric style mesh shoes that will dry quicker than leather-uppers gym shoes.
Got an important business meeting but don’t have a good all-purpose pair that’s formal enough? Simply carry leather shoes with thicker and wider soles to slip on. Wear clean socks. Carry a light towel to dry your feet before you change your footwear. Avoid staying in wet shoes as they can lead to bacterial and fungal infections.
When It’s Raining, Shine With Monsoon Accessories
When it comes to bags, watches and jewellery, waterproof is à la mode. Go for water-resistant watches that have attractive rubber straps. Your handbag or satchel should be in PVC or faux leather, in trendy designs. Digital prints, neon transparent handbags, retro styles are the rage. Avoid all silver and metal jewellery as they tarnish in the rains. The weather is right for your beads, plastic pieces and other costume jewellery.
All through the wet season, stow your leather accessories in a pillowcase or cloth bag with silica gel packets to keep the moisture at bay.
Don’t Let Your Hair And Make-Up, Rain On Your Parade
Bad hair days and runny make-up can ruin your image faster than a drizzle turning to a downpour. The weather can give you a frightful frizz, so use serum to tone it down. Restrict hot blow-drying and remember to oil your hair. Get a short haircut or tie a high ponytail, or twist it in a bun or braid for a neat look. Invest in water-proof eye makeup or gel-based ones with a light mineral-based foundation for a natural look throughout the day. Replace your lip glosses with a matte lipstick to avoid smearing and running through the lines.
Now that you are rain-proof, revel in the deluge of compliments that will come your way!
