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

ldquoCropped pants and cotton kurtas are surely your saviour during the monsoonrdquo say fashion experts Aashi Adani and Shivani Gowda while Anand Singh fashion designer at DaMENSCH says ldquoThe wrong pair of shoes can get you in trouble in during the rains and the list of dorsquos and donrsquots for planning your monsoon wardrobe is an extensive onerdquoItrsquos 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 workfromoffice is a mandate for many city residentsImagine 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 wetldquoYou can still wear your whites but layer them smartlyrdquo cautions fashion blogger Gowda adding that letting go of your tiedye shirts longdresses or fulllength pieces is a must It is also a sound decision to avoid wearing pastel or lightcoloured clothes These are some of the thumbrules applicable for allNow that we have a fair idea of what to avoid herersquos a curated list of wardrobe essentials based on expert suggestions 1 Cotton Tshirts and pants2 Cotton jeggings3 Tank tops4 Culottes pants5 High rise shorts6 Flaredwraparound skirt7 Kneelength dress8 Cotton KurtisTunics9 Anklelength pants or a jumpsuit10 A palazzo pantFor formal attire save a pair of cotton shirts in solid colours or subtle prints vibrant colour tops a pencil skirt or an anklelength pant and a plain scarf for the final touchSingh 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 optionsIf 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 Mumbairsquos 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 othersldquoYou need materials that dry up quickly even if therersquos no proper sunlight Being damp for too long can also cause bacterial infectionsrdquo says AdaniWhen 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 therersquos a heavy downpour lighter colours tend to become transparent which can be avoided by wearing dark neutral shadesPicking the right footwearThis 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 ndash full of puddles crowded trains and buses ndash 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 chappalsldquoYou need footwear with a good grip and that doesnrsquot slide away from your feet One must opt for waterproof leather slipons or strappy sandalsrdquo says AdaniWhile Gowda suggests one must avoid leather footwear Itrsquos 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 seasonrsquos favouritesAccording 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 opentoed rubber flipflops made of anything synthetic that the rain cannot damage ldquoIf 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 dont sliprdquoMore importantly itrsquos 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 meetingsQuick tipsWe asked Gowda Adani and Singh to share a few useful tips they personally follow during the season1 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 must2 Mumbai is super humid so one can completely give up on hair styling as it wonrsquot 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 wonders3 Layer it up For people who wish to be presentable be it in formals semiformals or casuals its a good idea to carry a polynylon waterproof jacket Detachable hoodies might help for semiformals and casuals while for formals a tweed overcoat can be used Yes the Peaky Blinders style4 Bucket hats which can also come handy for your chainsrings and wrist watches Socks as well can be playful as per the monsoon mood Wear your perfumes as they donrsquot wash down easily5 Wearing metal jewellery is not so comfortable during rains so rock your look with some plastic or polymer accessories6 Say goodbye to leather bags and use tote bags sports backpack unisex bucket shoulder bag or translucent bags7 Lastly in Mumbai its 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 makeup extremely light