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Monsoon rains
need not dampen your passion for fashion. The season is right
to dress up and go wild with colours both in apparels and
accessories, says Ritusmita Biswas
woebegone as the sky pours? Wonder what
to wear during these rain-soaked monsoon days? Don’t
fret. Gone are the days when a dull grey rainy morning meant
wearing your dullest clothes and taking your black grandfather
umbrella to the office. Monsoons now mean wearing a lot of
bright colours and dressing up to combat the gloomy weather.
Designers might differ on their choice of colours but almost
all of them agree that monsoon fashion is definitely in. And
so are bright colours.
Take for example the dowdy black umbrella
that was once the common thing to carry along. That seems
to be completely out and fashion umbrellas are in. These designer
umbrellas come in various hues and prints. Said Joseph Thayyil
of the John's Umbrella Mart in Alappuzha, Kerala, in a recent
interview: “The umbrella has assumed a whole new meaning
— people don’t see it as a cumbersome utilitarian
item any more. It's more of a fashion statement, a mark of
one's status and style.” That's why he has tried to give
the umbrella a new twist and make it ‘hip, happening
and cool’.” Agrees R Basu of Duckback Emporium in
Esplanade, Kolkata: “Since the last few years rainwear
has stopped being just an utility object, it’s as much
a fashion accessory as other items. We at Duckback are constantly
striving to give it a new fashionable look in terms of colour
and designs.”
Youngsters are going for all kinds of designer
umbrellas and it is not just about colour. Be it a teenager
or a young top brass corporate executive, everyone is striving
hard to ensure that his/her umbrella makes the latest fashion
statement. Therefore, in the circuits we have umbrellas of
all kinds: right from patch worked to believe- it- or- not,
kantha stitches on khadi.
This fashion consciousness for the monsoon
season doesn’t stop at umbrellas. There are umpteen varieties
of fashionable and colourful raincoats you can choose from.
When shopping for them, keep in mind that when it's raining,
and you have to go out, what people see is the coat, not what
you are wearing inside. So, take time to choose something
really appealing. Keeping in with the trend, you can go for
bright colours like electric blue, fluorescent green and dazzling
red, to name a few. Match up these raincoats with colourful
boots. Not only do they add excitement to your monsoon outfit
it also makes you stand out against the muddy puddles. However,
if you prefer to stick to traditional wear and boots are not
suited for it, don’t lose heart. From branded to non-branded
segments you have various categories of rubber shoes and slippers
beautifully designed so that you can tread comfortably yet
fashionably through the waterlogged streets.
Colours also dominate apparels for the season.
The monsoons basically give the designers a good excuse to
play with colours. Over the years, there has been a marked
change in the perception of dressing up during this period
of the year. Designers across the country recommend bright
hues now. Says designer Jyoti Khaitan of Kolkata who recently
launched her bridal wear collection: “Monsoon is a dull
season and so I have used a lot of bright colours like vermillion
red, flaming orange among others.”
Interestingly, the country now celebrates
a ‘third’ and brand new fashion season. Previously
for the Indian fashion designers there were just two seasons
spring-summer and fall-winter. But with India’s well-defined
monsoon, designers are going ballistic with new ensembles
and ‘looks’ for the lush rainy season. What most
designers keep in mind while creating garments for monsoon
is the comfort factor. “Even though it is monsoon there
is still quite some degree of humidity and heat. So ensure
that you stick to fabrics that breathe like linen or cotton,”
says Khaitan.
Designer Agnimitra Paul points out that cotton is the essential
fabric for the monsoon season as it dries up fast and is comfortable
to wear. According to her a cotton T-shirt and a pair of cotton
capris would be the ideal wear this season. Heavy materials
like heavy silks and jute apparels are a definite no-no for
this season. Even for evening bashes stick to chiffons and
georgettes. The season is also marked by the revival of the
handloom sector. Make way for crochet and knits in your wardrobe,
but remember to splash with lots of colour! It’s a good
idea to pep up your ensemble with bright colour knits in zigzag
or stripes. Wear a bright hued threaded scarf with colourful
bands running through it so as to stand apart in the crowd.
A bright jersey knit or crochets top set with rather subtle
coloured capris is also a sure shot hit.
As far as makeup is concerned, keep it to
the minimal. Says makeup artist Arup Adhikari: “Whatever
makeup you wear, make sure that you keep it waterproof. Running
mascara doesn’t make a pretty sight.” It’s
time to smoke up the eyes this season. Eye shadows with smoky
greys, blues and bronzes are happening in the cosmetic scene.
For parties at night, line your eyes with eyeliner or pencil
and then smudge the pencil into the lashes. Then spread the
shadow evenly on the lid. “Do not stress both the eyes
and the lips and make sure that you accentuate just one as
otherwise you will end up looking made up and gaudy,”
Adhikari cautions.
So here you are! Go paint the town red even
if it pours outside!
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