Be it the fragrance of wet soil, cool breeze or the sight of lush green plants and trees, monsoon evokes romance in many. However, mucky roads and gloomy weather simply ruins the mood for many others. The monsoon season, with many such inconveniences, often forces us to put our fashion choices in the back-burner and opt for convenient clothing.
Designer Pawan Sachdeva
But with festive season round the corner, fashion experts suggest that by picking up the right fabric, silhouettes and accessories you can enjoy the weather without compromising on the fashion quotient.
“Sometimes cold, sometimes hot and humid—this is a tricky season that can force you to make the wrong fashion choices. But by simply making some clever wardrobe choices, you can beat the monsoon blues and look stylish,” says designer Gautam Gupta.
“Fabrics play a crucial role here,” he adds. “Go for natural fabrics like cotton, cotton silk this season which will keep you comfortable yet add to the festive look.”
Designer Gautam Gupta
Gupta suggests staying away from tight fitting garments that stick to the skin. Instead replace them with breathable and flared silhouettes. “Go for layering, as it gives you a spurt of colour, enhances the festive look and keeps you comfortable. Layering will keep you cosy if you are feeling cold and give you the option to remove a layer when you are feeling hot.”
He suggests using fabrics like flat chiffon, net and organza for layers and keeping the length of the garments mid-calf length “so that it remains functional”.
“As one can't ditch the traditional gear like lehengas, saris and floor-length kurtas during festivals, it would be a clever idea to keep an extra border for the hem. This way, even if the bottom gets soiled, you can save the outfit,” says Gautam.
So, what are the hottest traditional styles this season? Empire line kurta , floor-length dresses and kurtas with multiple 'kalis'. In case you are opting for kurtas that are above ankle, team them with pajamas or churidar to look stylish,” recommends fashion designer Nida Mahmood.
She says festivities are all about fun and frolic. “So, don't forget to go big on happy bright colours, as they signify festivities. As festivals also require a lot of running around to arrange things and go out to meet friends, pick up light weight fabrics like Maheshwari silk.” Mahmood lays equal importance to office wear during festive season. “Sport for shorter silhouettes and thick fabrics like georgette that do not show skin when you get drenched in rain.”
Most importantly, don't blindly follow trends or go for colours in vogue. “Take cues, think what works for you and incorporate them in your individual style to get the head-turning look,” says Nida.
Designer Nida Mahmood | image courtesy: Manav Parhawk
And if you thought only women need to work on their wardrobe choices, then you are mistaken. The tricky weather demands men to take a closer look on what they are wearing during the festivals, too. Fashion designer Pawan Sachdeva advices men to stick to breathable fabrics to create the perfect traditional look. “Cotton, flex, khadi and linen are the best choices for this weather. Silk kurtas may end with a stain or patches if you get caught in the rain,” he adds.
Opt for khadi which keeps you cool when its hot and warm when its cold. But if you are not a big fan of its coarse texture, then seek a designer's help to treat it chemically making it softer or finer according to your liking, explains Sachdeva.
If you are scared that your handwoven and dyed natural fabric will bleed colour, a good option can be going for pastel and neutral shades, he says.
Besides, the best cuts this season include asymmetrical unbalanced kurtas for those who have a god physique. If you don't, go for short kurtas teamed with low crotch pants, dhoti pants, salwar, plain shirt style kurtas with accent detailing and open style sleeveless bandhgala jackets over a pair of cigarette pants are other options that can make a style statement this monsoon, he points out.
Whether men or women accessories play an extremely important role in completing the look. To add a dash of colour, men can use a vibrant pocket square, a bright hued thin Nehru jacket or a stole to sport the traditional look. “Steer clear of using pure leather shoes this season, as you may simply spoil them. Go for open leatherette sandals or shoes,” says Sachdeva.
Women can accentuate their look by going for statement jewellery, colour clocked sandals, trendy jackets and stoles to look cool.
