Stay stylish in a downpour with these effortless tips, trends and picks



The sun has finally decided to be a little benevolent on us and we are now experiencing the monsoon phase, of showers that tease us impulsively, the sky a mild blue with a tinge of yellow and the ambrosial smell of muddy waters pervading the air everywhere. And what best time to rekindle the fashion monger within you than the rainy season? Dressing up for a rainy day in tropical countries is not as easy considering the clothes are always tailored to withstand the heat rather than the wetness. We find the women in the west wearing sweeping trenches, fringed scarves and draped shawls to protect themselves from the downpour.

The unceasing drizzle should not put a damper on your style, as a matter of fact, it should enhance it! Contrary to common practice, there are ways to dress up for rainy weather in the tropics without committing fashion suicide. With quality outerwear, smart layering, and an eye for mixing and matching, any girl can look her best even when it is raining. You do not have to make sartorial sacrifices just because it is pouring. Think outside the box as always and even the clouds will not deter you. From bright umbrellas to parkas and funky legwarmers, here is your guide to rainy day chic!

Suiting Up
These days, a good blazer is a must have for any fashionista. Rather than being stuffy, a well-tailored suit jacket is designed just enough to sharpen the look of slouchy casuals. Pair a dark coloured blazer with a bright coloured sweater, perhaps in fuchsia, which will add the right amount of cool to warm. Throw in a printed scarf that can be wrapped around the neck, long enough to be tucked into the belt that lends the entire outfit a relaxed appeal. When it comes to rainy season, layering is important – do not overdo it. Understand your fabrics, whether they are light or heavy. If all the fabrics fall under the same category, adjust your outfit accordingly.

Wrap to Rescue



Yet another outfit that looks stunning under grey skies is a wrap cover-up. Pick a sweater that has arms and back of a regular sweater but its front hem or collar are usually elongated so that they wrap around the body to leave room for that extra coverage. Pair the wrap with a dusty blue or a purple sweater along with a patterned scarf, then add a pair of skinny black trousers and calf length boots to complete the look. Sans the shoes, this look is perfect even to curl up in your bed while the rain is streaming down your window!

Fancy a Leather Jacket
When you are living in a place that is subject to torrential rainfall, it is best to invest on a good leather jacket. And there is no better way to add that downtown New York City slick vibe to your wardrobe than buying a stylish leather jacket. However, it is very easy to become a fashion victim if you don’t accessorize your leather jacket properly. Assuming your jacket is in tan, pair it up with a striped shirt and a colourful scarf. Also, throw in a cropped vest over your stripped shirt to complete the look, this way you will still have three layers with more ventilation.

Beat it Black and Blue
Colours reflect the mood of the weather in their own, subtle ways and both black and blue resonate the rainy days like no other colours. Synchronize the cloudy climes with a colour combination of black and blue – colours that complement most skin tones – and you will also be in tune with the season. Pair a black biker jacket with a midnight blue shift dress. If the weather gets too cold, there is nothing a soft printed scarf and black leggings cannot fix.

Sweater Sister
Nothing like an indulgent, snug sweater to keep you all warmed up during rainy weather! While many of us may not have the luxury of staying curled up in bed as droplets pelt against our rooftops, a slouchy, enormous sweater is the epitome of comfort when you are stuck at office, waiting for the downpour to subside. Pair a beige oversized sweater with a slightly dark shaded tunic dress with three-quarter sleeves. Throw in a belt and a long neck piece to complement the look.

Bring on the Brightness: Cheerful colours make you stand out and they help you sidestep mood swings. Inject bright shades of blue, green, fuchsia, orange, peach and yellow to your wardrobe.   Unleash an Umbrella: Black umbrella is a rainy day faux pas so why not carry a polka dotted one or a pink ruffled umbrella? An umbrella is not a piece of investment; it is a necessity that also functions as a great accessory of fashion.   Boot Camp: What make an outfit special are not its slimmer, sleeker proportions - although they certainly are a plus. Let your eye wander further south and see the style star of your ensemble, the over-the-knee boots!   Swaying Satchel: If you are carrying a bag around during the rains, it may as well be a satchel. It is the go-to wardrobe addition, easiest to sling around and lend you a relaxed appeal at the same time.

Pull Out Colours reflect the mood of the weather in their own, subtle ways and both black and blue resonate the rainy days like no other colours. Synchronize the cloudy climes with a colour combination of black and blue – colours that complement most skin tones – and you will also be in tune with the season