When fashion connoisseur Coco Chanel said, "Fashion changes, style remains," she hit the nail on the head. Trends are inevitable in the fashion world, and while they all focus on seasons, monsoon is the most dreaded one in the style circuit. Be it frizzy hair, wet clothes or sticky makeup, rains make us grumpy. But fret no more! Kaveri Waghela tells you how to build the perfect rain-proof wardrobe and yet, set the party on fire

What to wear

Women

u00a0A model in an Aniket Satam floral tunic

The spring-summer season in India saw a lot of bright hues, colour-blocking trends and prints in the runway. In terms of silhouettes, the asymmetrical (high-low) hemlines ruled the roost. “I think monsoon is a great time to wear bright colours that can instantly lighten one’s mood even when it pours and you are stuck inside. Women should wear kaftans and tunics or similar loose fitting clothes which don’t stick to the body. Open-toe plastic shoes is a must-have in the monsoon too,” says designer Aniket Satam

Aniket Satam’s Top 3

#Cotton in, lycra out
Though cotton absorbs a lot of water and takes time to dry, it is low-maintenance. Other fabrics such as georgettes and chiffon are light and dry easily. Stay away from synthetic fabrics such as polyester and silk as they stick to the body and makes one feel heavy.

#Short is hot
Monsoon is probably the only time to flaunt those enviable short dresses, skirts and tops. But make sure you sport bottoms in dark colours. Light coloured dresses or even skirts get dirty easily. Darker shades of pants go with a lot of colours and won’t embarass you even if you do get drenched. Knee-length culotte pants too work well as they are not too short.

#Neon is in
Though fluorescent shades have always been in fashion, new ‘neon-bright’ hues in hot pink, green and even blue are very much in vogue this season. Apart from incorporating such bright colours while dressing up, a neon see-through raincoat or even a windcheater can glamourise an otherwise drab outfit.

Men

A model showsu00a0of Rajdeep Ranawat’s menswear collection in the Wills India Fashion Week 2013

“Cropped pants should be a staple in every man’s wardrobe during the rains,” says Delhi-based menswear designer Rajdeep Ranawat. He also opines that other than sporting bright colours, men can also opt for bold with prints that can give a dimension to the overall ensemble. He says, “Prints are very versatile especially abstract and geometric prints. Men should also not shy away from floral prints as they not only look good but also gives one a relaxed feel.”

Rajdeep Ranawat’s Top 3

#Crop it up
Crop pants and even shirts complement the Indian male physique. Team a white-cropped shirt with bermudas. It looks very laid-back and perfect if you are running errands during a downpour.

#Prints galore
Don’t go overboard with prints as they can make or break an outfit. Wear one print at a time. If you are wearing a printed shirt then the rest of your outfit should be plain and subtle.

#Windcheater magic
Windcheaters are a great way to layer up in the monsoon. Team a light-weight windcheater in black, nudes or even maroon over a shirt or a t-shirt. This is ideal if you want to sport that ‘jacket-over-shirt look’.

Beauty

Sport a clean face and bright lips this season

Skin
During the rains your skin and hair are probably the worst affected. Dermatologist Bindu Sthalekar suggests that one should go easy on the makeup and use products that suit individual skin-types. “People with oily skin should use a gel based face-wash while those with dry skin should use a cream based one. Many people stop using sunblock during the rains, which can have adverse effects on the skin,” she says.

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Makeup
Want that glowing skin that others are jealous of? It’s not tough if you have the right beauty products, says celebrated beauty stylist Samantha Kochhar. She advocates the use of smudge-free make up and during the rains, so you can enjoy the rain on your face.

Samantha Kochhar’s Top 3

#Mineral Makeup
Mineral makeup does not stick to your skin and also tends to give a healthy glow. Choose from a wide array of foundations and blushes that are now available in the market.

#Pop tints
Instead of lipsticks, experiment with lip tints or stains that usually come in a stick or gloss form. Choose them in bright pink and cherry red make your skin look brighter.

#Prime right
Primer is very essential before you apply makeup since it makes your makeup last that much longer. It comes in matte and illuminating options.

Accessories

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Thr right accessories not only complete the overall look but also act as a life-saver during heavy rains. Here are three must-have monsoon accessories:

Sonya Vajifdar’s top 3

# Waterproof bags
Bright is the way to go. Be funky while you protect your things from getting wet.

# Artistic umbrellas
Roll over dull drab black or single-coloured umbrellas. Opt for umbrellas in quirky prints and if you are feeling flushed, snap up one of those supremely expensive ones with swarovski elements embedded on them.

# Colour-pop bangles
Glass bangles in different colours look great. Pair them up with a monochromatic outfit to create a contrast.

u00a0A colourful tunic can instantly lighten up your mood during the gloomy evenings

Best monsoon buys

What: Flat Bata ballerinas
Where: Across all bata outlets
How much: Rs 499

What: Lulu’s NY Cherry bag
Where: Lulu’s, Linking Road, Bandra
How much: Rs 5,495

What: Handmade Umbrella
Where: Anemos, Krishna House, ground floor, Raghuvanshi estate
How much: Rs 26,000

What: Sonya Vajifdar Transparent raincoat
Where: www.sonyavajifdar.com
How much: Rs 6000u00a0

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