Slay it in the rains: Here’s how to plan your wardrobe for the Mumbai monsoon

"Cropped pants and cotton kurtas are surely your saviour during the monsoon" say fashion experts Aashi Adani and Shivani Gowda, while Anand Singh, fashion designer at DaMENSCH, says, "The wrong pair of shoes can get you in trouble in during the rains and the list of do's and don'ts for planning your monsoon wardrobe is an extensive one."

It's hard not to think about the struggle that comes with the monsoon hitting the city of Mumbai. While months of harsh summer had us waiting for the rains, the question of how to step out comfortably and not look disheveled lurks in the back of our minds. Especially at a time when work-from-office is a mandate for many city residents.

Imagine crowded local trains, buses and narrow streets filled with colourful umbrellas dripping water on your head, bags and clothes. Not to forget the mucky edges of your pants and dresses. This is why one of the fundamental points to remember before planning your outfit, as fashion content creator Adani suggests, is to avoid thinking of clothes with a lot of fabric such as sarees and dupattas, which will be a nightmare to handle if they get wet.

"You can still wear your whites, but layer them smartly", cautions fashion blogger Gowda, adding that letting go of your tie-dye shirts, long-dresses or full-length pieces is a must. It is also a sound decision to avoid wearing pastel or light-coloured clothes. These are some of the thumb-rules applicable for all.

Now that we have a fair idea of what to avoid, here's a curated list of wardrobe essentials, based on expert suggestions:

1. Cotton T-shirts and pants

2. Cotton jeggings

3. Tank tops

4. Culottes pants

5. High rise shorts

6. Flared/wrap-around skirt

7. Knee-length dress

8. Cotton Kurtis/Tunics

9. Ankle-length pants or a jumpsuit

10. A palazzo pant

For formal attire, save a pair of cotton shirts in solid colours or subtle prints, vibrant colour tops, a pencil skirt or an ankle-length pant and a plain scarf for the final touch.

Singh recommends colourful statement tees made of cotton and a couple of casual shorts for men. They can reserve a kurta and pyjama for the days when everything looks dewy and they are left with limited options.

If you go out shopping anytime between June and September, it is advisable to spend on clothes with breathable fabrics such as cotton to deal with Mumbai's humid weather. One can also bring out all the summer tops and bottoms. As Gowda suggests, say no to denim and thick fabrics, rather go for lightweight materials such as khadi, mul cotton, poly nylon and georgette, among others.

"You need materials that dry up quickly even if there's no proper sunlight. Being damp for too long can also cause bacterial infections," says Adani.

When it comes to wearing specific colours, it is safer to wear darker colours and avoid pastels, to avoid any dirt or stain related mishaps. If there's a heavy downpour, lighter colours tend to become transparent, which can be avoided by wearing dark neutral shades.

Picking the right footwear

This can be a task for many. Mainly people struggle with matching one pair with multiple outfits, which is an essential requirement and an economically viable option. Additionally, the footwear must be water resistant and sturdy enough to endure the harsh roads - full of puddles, crowded trains and buses - and the rush on the streets. If not for this, you might find yourself stuck in a situation of walking around with a broken pair of chappals.

"You need footwear with a good grip and that doesn't slide away from your feet. One must opt for waterproof leather slip-ons or strappy sandals," says Adani.

While Gowda suggests one must avoid leather footwear. It's that time of the year when you give up on your stylish footwear and end up going around in your rubber sliders or Crocs, which are the season's favourites.

According to Singh, men can avoid leather or suede shoes, and go with Birkenstocks or high trend chappals instead, for a casual outing. Basically, go for open-toed, rubber flip-flops made of anything synthetic that the rain cannot damage. "If you want to dress up for the office, try sneakers, especially cotton canvas shoes like Vans. They have a great grip as well, so you don't slip."

More importantly, it's always a good idea to keep an extra set of footwear (shoes) at your office and use sandals outdoors. This can also prove to be useful in tackling last minute meetings.

Quick tips

We asked Gowda, Adani and Singh to share a few useful tips they personally follow during the season:

1. Carry a big, but not heavy tote bag which can include a small umbrella. A couple of water proof bags in case something needs to be kept safely. A waterproof watch is a must.

2. Mumbai is super humid, so one can completely give up on hair styling as it won't last. Keep some extra hair ties, because a sleek hair bun is perfect to save yourself from a frizzy hair day. A thin scarf to cover your head also works wonders!

3. Layer it up: For people who wish to be presentable, be it in formals, semi-formals or casuals, it's a good idea to carry a poly/nylon waterproof jacket. Detachable hoodies might help for semi-formals and casuals, while for formals, a tweed overcoat can be used (Yes, the Peaky Blinders style!).

4. Bucket hats which can also come handy for your chains/rings and wrist watches. Socks as well, can be playful as per the monsoon mood. Wear your perfumes as they don't wash down easily.

5. Wearing metal jewellery is not so comfortable during rains, so rock your look with some plastic or polymer accessories.

6. Say goodbye to leather bags and use tote bags, sports backpack, unisex bucket shoulder bag or translucent bags.

7. Lastly, in Mumbai, it's hard to remember what the sun feels or looks like with all of this moisture in the air. Go for a good skincare routine and keep your make-up extremely light.