Monsoon Chic

Monsoons can bring the best out of you. Make sure your closet responds with as much enthusiasm. Anupama P Shenoy picks out a few products that could ease the pain on gloomy mornings...

I have vivid memories of monsoons of my childhood years. If I were to illustrate them with one item, it would have to be my red gumboots. I had red dresses, a red compass box, a red raincoat, even a red toothbrush but my gumboots…they brought me more joy than the richness of red satin. Those heavy rubber shoes appeased the water baby in me. All I wanted was to flap the sleeves of my raincoat and waddle through the water like a duck. And the biggest thrill of them was my crinkled toes at the end of the soak session!

I'd be happiest on days when it would pour so hard that the streets would be flooded. And the sea breeze would blow the life out of the poor umbrellas that sheltered the boring aunties as they daintily waded through the ankle-deep water. But I loved to jump in the puddles and stain their saris. Strange little things bring such happiness when you're seven years old.

By ten, I had not only grown out of my gumboots, I even refused to wear my red raincoat. I had set my sights on the fancy umbrellas that the streets were teeming with. The gumboots had suddenly become ugly, heavy, rubber sacks that I had to drag along when the Rain God became generous.

It didn't take very long for a red umbrella to find its way into my life. And for it to be replaced by a pretty blue one with dainty flowers on them. Quite similar to the one I spotted at Piramyd on a shopping spree. These days they even have odd geometrically challenged shapes; some with prints of Madonna (nee Esther) and Western mugs. But, I picked the simple blue with a bamboo handle for Rs 300. Perfect to go anyplace…and not too girlie.

If you still believe that nothing protects you from the rain like a hooded raincoat, check out the Duckback range (Rs 750, green; Rs 695, beige). If you're looking for a hip option, Berge windcheaters (Rs 1,295) can endure a rough hike with as much elegance as a walk through urban streets in stormy weather. String up the hood so you won't catch a cold. Or just sport it casually over a pair of tracks and a tee. It's the age of the fitness conscious yuppie!

You can complete that look with the all-terrain Adidas Adventure wear (Rs 3,499). For a more formal look, you can opt for the Rockford Track Perf (Rs 3,990). Women travellers can also opt for the Rockport Garner Bay slippers in mood elevating hues of lime green and orange (Rs 2,790) if you're exploring the city, or even heading to the hotel spa for an unwinding session. But don't forget to strap along the Puma Italia waist pouch (Rs 599) with the Puma wallet (Rs 299). Women should sport the Puma lace-up shoulder bag (Rs 699) for your keys, wallet, Swiss knife and pepper spray.

The other sprays that can be a tremendous help on a business trip is the Rockport Waterproofing spray (works on belts as well as shoes!) and the Penguin Water And Stain Repellent (Rs 299) for your shoes. Men should definitely pick up the Sneaker And Shoe Deodorizer (Rs 399), especially if you're planning a long trip! For your formal shoes, get the Penguin Shoe Shark Instant Shine (Rs 299). Of course, if they're suede or nubuck, the dry clean formula in the Suede and Nubuck Cleaner (Rs 299) should work. If you work a little bit on your footwear, it can keep you a step ahead…on the job front and otherwise.

The new 'Unstainables' range of Arrow shirts (Rs 1,595 upwards) and complementary trousers (Rs 1695) make great travel companions. They are wrinkle free, stain resistant and 100 per cent cotton, and available in refreshing colours. If you're stuck in a sudden drizzle, you can just brush away the rainwater. But don't trash your windcheater. This is not a substitute.

To complete the look, choose a watch to match. There's a wide range of funky dials you can choose from. Have a dekko at some of the water resistant variety. The Tommy Hilfiger for men (Rs 6,995) in a stainless steel body with a chronograph, stopwatch and a pebble-grown leather strap. The Fossil Dragon Kleido (Rs 4,850) catches the eye with its flashing dragon motif and luminous hands set in a stainless steel body. It is 100m water resistant. Both timepieces are available with a two-year international warranty.

The Fossil Kleido watch for women (Rs 4,850) has a colour-changing dial, reminiscent of springtime with its blinking flowers, and radium indices and hands. For a more elegant look, go for the dainty Fossil with a white dial and golden strap (Rs 5,590).

And then we come to the most important travel accessory of them all. The travel bag. One for your clothes. One for your laptop. One specially for your suit or gown, in case of a business party.

Samsonite's Hedgren range of hip shoulder bags (Rs 1,700) are a good bet. For a sporty look, there's the Pepe Melbourne knapsack (Rs 549). For an overnight trip, check out the trendy Pepe Protect overnight bag (Rs 549).

Your laptop will rest fine in the Rockport laptop bag (Rs 1,299), which also provides a case for your cell phone. It has enough space for your documents and stationery as well.

The multi-pocket, spacious, La Selle Garment Bag (Rs 5,900) is perhaps the best thing you can gift yourself if you live in suits and a suitcase! In fact, it can accommodate your clothes and accessories for an overnight trip.

Women can tote along vanity cases (Rs 2,600, green; Rs 3,600, pink) from United Colours Of Benetton. Or slip in the smaller, more convenient vanity pouches (Rs 549), also from United Colours Of Benetton, available in brilliant colours.

The other not-to-miss accessories that can ease your trip are the glove box organiser (Rs 240), Traveller's Slippers case (Rs 480) where you can slip in those lime green slip-ons, and the secret wallet (Rs 200).

Of course, this is just a conservative list of what could ease your journey. Perhaps you should draw up a more elaborate one on your notepad!

(Information and photo courtesy: Piramyd, Crossroads, Tardeo, Mumbai (022-23515890); Shopper's Stop and Inorbit Mall, Malad, Mumbai (022-56777999)