Monsoon wardrobe: what to wear when it rains
The monsoon is a welcome break from the heat, but it is hard on clothes. Fabrics stay damp, shoes give up, and the cupboard starts to smell musty. A few changes to what you wear, and how you store it, make the season much easier.
Choose fabrics that dry fast
- Good: light cotton blends, polyester and nylon blends, and thin layers that dry quickly.
- Use with care: pure cotton is comfortable but slow to dry; linen dries well but creases.
- Avoid on rainy days: heavy denim, silk, suede, velvet and anything that must be dry-cleaned.
Pick colours that forgive
Darker colours and prints hide splashes and mud. Thin whites and pale colours can turn see-through when wet, so keep them for dry days. Rain is a good reason to wear your brighter prints: they lift a grey day.
Footwear that survives puddles
- Floaters, rubber or PVC sandals and waterproof clogs for everyday wear.
- Waterproof sneakers or boots if you walk a lot or work in an office.
- Keep leather and suede at home until the rain stops; water marks and mould ruin them.
- Carry a spare pair of socks, and dry wet shoes with newspaper stuffed inside.
Dress for the commute
A light rain jacket or poncho and a sturdy umbrella do more than any outfit. Roll trousers above the ankle or choose cropped lengths, and carry your phone and papers in a water-resistant bag or a zip pouch. If you work in an office, keep a spare top and a dry pair of shoes there.
Keep your wardrobe dry
- Never put clothes away damp: dry them fully under a fan if there’s no sun.
- Put silica gel or a moisture absorber on each shelf, and replace or dry it out when it’s full.
- Leave a little space between hangers so air can move, and open the doors on dry days.
- Store silks, leather and woollens in breathable cotton covers, not plastic, which traps moisture.
- If something smells musty, wash it again and dry it in the sun as soon as the sun is out.
Let the weather choose with you
Drobyn’s daily suggestion is built from the clothes you own, and weighs the weather alongside colours that go together, combinations that work and what you’ve worn lately. On a wet day it can steer you towards the pieces that cope with rain, without sending you back to the same outfit every time.
Questions people ask
- Are jeans a good idea in the monsoon?
- Heavy denim takes a long time to dry and feels heavy when wet. If you wear jeans, choose a lighter weight or a cropped length, and keep a dry pair at work.
- How do I stop clothes smelling damp in the rains?
- Dry them completely before you put them away, keep a moisture absorber in the cupboard, and give everything an airing in the sun whenever it comes out.