Monsoon style tips: Fold it right in the rains

Mumbai monsoons, style tips, Fashion tips, Mumbai rains

You love them, you hate them but you can't ignore them. The rains are here. With pitter-patter raindrops falling on your head, it's time to pack away those stilettos, leather shoes, transparent tops and pastel-coloured shirts. Out come those waterproof sandals, capris and colourful umbrellas. But if you thought that rains are synonymous with dull and boring outfits and accessories, then you are mistaken. All you need to do is jazz up your existing wardrobe by cutting, folding and colouring your outfits with élan. Here's how you can do it:

Mumbai monsoon special: Reign in the rains

College student Rashmi Chandnani makes a style statement with multi-coloured accessories and a pink umbrella. hair styling by Lekha Shah. Pics/Sameer Markande

Goodbye mud marks
All of us, at some point or the other, have reached school/college or office flaunting those not-so-welcome splash marks, thanks to racing vehicles on pothole-ridden roads. Folding our jeans and T-shirts seem to be the only option but how can you make the simple fold look interesting?

"Try to make the folded part look attractive by painting it or buying a pair of pants or capris, which has a printed lining inside. Also, printed cuffs add more character to shirts," says designer Richa Jaiswal.

College student Jamshid Tamboli, layers a T-shirt with a shirt, teams it up with shorts and chappals for a day out in the rain

"Men could experiment with folding one side higher or lower than the other like pop star Pharell Williams of Happy fame. Team it up with a T-shirt with rolled sleeves and slip in a pair of closed croc shoes to give yourself a different look," advises Krushika Thosani, client head at
Anita Dongre.

If you are in the mood to add some colour, then use bright accessories. "You can attach colourful safety pins to the fold or slash your sleeves into two halves and tuck in bright safety pins. They not only look different but also add a quirky touch to your attire," elaborates Jaiswal.

Women could go a step further and add some stickers in vibrant hues to the folded part of their outfits for a funky look. Slip in a bright-coloured top and funky waterproof chappals and you are ready for a day out in the rain.

Recycle it through
If you aren't the kind who invests in a new wardrobe every season, then recycling may introduce you to a whole new world.

"There are so many ways through which you can put your existing clothes to good use. For instance, layering is a good option. Take an old tank top, cut it till your waist and wear it over another top. You could also cut an old long jersey top to make a crop top and use the remaining cloth as a headband or a bandana," suggests Jaiswal.

Fold your jeans a few inches above your ankle or experiment with uneven folding to save yourself from the splash marks

Since the weather is gloomy, it becomes important to go in for bright shades. Colour blocking has been in fashion for quite some time and could be used during monsoon as well. "A bright-coloured spaghetti top and a pair of leggings teamed up with a vibrant jacket works well," says Thosani. Men could also flaunt a layered look by teaming an old printed T-shirt with a shirt. "You can wear an old T-shirt underneath a coloured shirt. It instantly transforms a dull look to a peppy one," says Riaan George, a fashion blogger and a grooming specialist.

With the onset of monsoon, cutting your old jeans and making capris or shorts out of them will never disappoint you. It's easy and comes in handy if you plan to use the public transport or walk on the street. "You could also cut your formal pants to two-three inches above your ankle and team them up with closed water-proof shoes. Your look will be as good as new," says George.

Women can also put their denims to optimum use by making spaghettis and tube tops out of worn out or torn jeans. If you want to go the funky way, add diamante stickers or badges all over and flaunt an edgy look.

As the rain bring in relief from the scorching sun, add a dash of colour to your wardrobe and make heads turn.