Here’s an attempt to uplift your spirit with some apt rainy gear that’s available in our market.
Wise on fabrics
Like every season has its own do’s and dont’s, the monsoon too has its share. Rainy days in Nepal are usually hot and humid so there is a list of fabrics to avoid. Synthetics like lycra and polyester tend to cling to the body, and trap humidity and heat. These textiles are for cooler days. “Breath-easy fabrics like cotton are best for the monsoon,” says Malika Shah of Fashion Fiesta, “and avoid colors that get stained easily.” Mixed fabrics with polyesters stick to the skin, making us feel uncomfortable and sweaty. Chiffon and crepe loose their gloss if they get wet. So save these for some drier days. Malika adds, “Replace chiffons and silks with georgette for parties and evening wears.”
Scarves
Odd though it may sound, including this swatch of cloth is handy and can do wonders during the rain. While getting from one place to other for small errands, scarves are useful coverage for your hair against getting wet. Besides, if rain and wind make the weather a little chilly, warm your neck with it.
Trench Coats
Trench-coats, raincoats and waterproof jackets.
Giving umbrellas the sole responsibility of saving us from getting drenched would be impossible for the poor little things and unethical to boot fashion-wise. Wearing a raincoat while walking in the rain is not recommended in Kathmandu.
To make your rainy days more stylish add a trench-coat to the wardrobe. Why? It gives you the chic-structured look and saves you from soaked-sleeve blues. And when the weather’s at its worst you will still be looking stylish. The trench-coat technically is a new fashion statement in Nepal as there are not even half a dozen shops in the Valley selling it. The best part of having a trench-coat is, besides going well with one of the formal or even jeans looks, the apparel is the apt thing for cooler and windier days too.
Raincoats are ideal partners for children and bike-riders. While guys have the option of single or double-piece raincoats, girls can go for cool and vibrant colors to cheer-up the mood. Let’s break the convention that raincoats are only black or blue.
And for a more casual and nonchalant look--water-resistant jackets and hoods are perfect and plentiful in the market. Some wind-proof jackets are water resistant and can be of help.
Makeup
“It’s better to keep makeup simple during the rainy season,” says makeup expert Sneha Rana, “People who can’t do without makeup should stick to water-proof make-ups.”
However, Sneha warned against applying water-proofs on a regular basis due to the negative effect this has on the skin. Light color make-ups such as light pink is fine for this gray season. “Rather keep make-up simple and be on the safe side then get caught in the rain with bright make-up dripping all over the face,” adds Sneha.
Foot Gear
Choosing a right pair of shoes happens to be the anguishing part of life during rainy days. You have your trench-coats, water-proof jackets and right set of clothes. But right before stepping outside your house with your precious pair of sports or leathers it is heart-breaking.
Let’s be practical, most of the shoes in our closet happen to be leather or suede. So the best buy for the season is Wellington boots aka gumboots, if one is bold enough to actually wear them. And better-version Wellingtons in different colors are actually available in Nepali markets. To go to work or for shopping, these are the practical solution. If you are in jeans and gumboots, cuffing the hemlines will save you the heavy uneasy feeling after getting soaked.
And the eventual choice for many of us during the rainy season happens to thong-slippers, but let’s forget them this year. Don’t want to end up covered up with smudges of dirty water all over the backside. So step down to a lighter version of monsoon-footwear and into a nice pair of croc-shoes. The big shapes have shrunk into comparatively less distracting pairs. And, are comfortable to walk in.
For girls, buying that extra pair of rubber sandals that are so a la mode these days would be of help. These ballerina shoe look-alikes are quite apt for our muddy streets. But make sure to go for thick soles with good grip. Don’t want to slip all the way to your cousin’s. Patent leather shoes will be ideal rainy-day company.
Umbrellas
The market has a plethora of umbrellas to offer—from the tiny to those big ones with long handles in different vibrant colors. So, separate the sunny-day umbrella from the rainy-day ones. The smaller ones with silver covering just back of the shroud are best when the sun reigns. For the heavier downpours get the bigger umbrellas like the one used by your grandpa, with a sturdy handle. Don’t shy away from experimenting in patterns and colors.
Bags
Protecting your handbags from daily monsoon showers is unavoidable and changing them frequently is impractical. Besides, the biggest sin against a leather bag is---carrying them around during rainy days. There is a better way to save leather bags and the contents inside. Water-resistant bags made out of poly-nylon or rubbers can be a cool and rakish replacement.
So, keeping your wardrobe and accessories colorful and make-up to its minimal is the mantra for the monsoon. Simultaneously, a little bit of your colorful attitude can liven up the dull, gray allies of the Valley.
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