Wardrobe & Styling Hacks to get you through Indian Summer & Monsoon Season

By: WE Staff

Image Enhancer & Corporate Trainer, Chhawi Asthana and image consultant and founder of Sonia Paradesi Image Consulting, Sonia Paradesi give us a comprehensive guide to building the best sited looks for this summer and monsoon.

India as a country not only has cultural or geographical diversity but is also blessed with different climates and seasons. While some regions are relatively cooler, a major part of our country experiences extreme weather conditions all across the year. Come summer and monsoon, a majority of India is reeling under the harsh temperatures and high humidity which can become bothersome for the body.

Can you imagine being stuck in a thick polyester trouser on a hot and humid day? It’s going to get very sweaty, very fast. Naturally our wardrobe and styling needs to keep up with the weather conditions of the location we are in.

Image Enhancer & Corporate Trainer, Chhawi Asthana gives us a comprehensive list of Do’s and Don’ts that will not only up your style quotient but also keep you comfortable throughout the hot and humid days.

Her first tip is to avoid Body Hugger Dresses.“If you want to beat the heat of a steamy summer. The sloppier, the better. To keep you calm and comfortable, there should be less cloth touching your body. A maxi dress with a lot of movement will keep you cooler than shorts and a skintight tank.”

Chhawi’s next tip is no rocket science but you’ll be surprised at how many people get it wrong. She mentions that we must avoid heavy work, embellishment and too much detailing on clothes. Itjust makes clothing heavy, sweaty & itchy. “It is recommended to wear patterns, floral print etc to add an interesting touch to your outfit”. One must also avoid Sleeveless dress designs as these can induce arm burn or tanning. “It is preferable to keep your skin covered to avoid sunburn and to stay cool. Not only can direct sunlight harm your skin, but it also boosts your body temperature. This summer, sleeves are your best friend.”

When it comes to innerwear she suggests onecan avoid padded bras. Padded bra in summer may cause inconvenience. Instead, choose a softly padded bra, unlined bralette, or a white or light-colored seamless bra in breathable fabric.

With the don’ts out of the way let’s look at a few interesting things that we can do look fresh, stylish and stay comfortable as suggested by Sonia Pardesi, a well-known image consultant and the founder of Sonia Paradesi Image Consulting.

In terms of styling she suggests that we can opt for bright colours like for example yellow, in either a dress (maxi or mini) or a monochromatic outfit which includes a skirt / pant and a blouse.Floral lace dresses are very summery and you can play with the colours.

“Rasberry, Fuschia pink and tangerine are all the fun colours you can go in for. Try them out, in either matched suits or maxi / midi dresses (taking into consideration your body shape). Miniskirts are doing the rounds this summer. You can opt for either a sporty one or a semi-formal dressy mini.”

Sonia also says that striped patterns are a must have as they also add to the slimming effect.

In the summer, you'll want something that keeps you cool while also helping you combat the heat. Lightweight, absorbent fabrics might make all the difference this season. They are not likely to make you feel sticky or itchy, in addition to being weather-appropriate.“Fabrics which are either natural, which include: Cotton, Linen, Chambray, Hemp or Bamboo are best suited for the summer season. Jersey and voile can also be opted for,” says Sonia.

When it comes to accessorizing, one needs to be smart about the kind of jewellery, bag, and footwear to pick. Chhawi suggest one must keep minimal or light jewellery. “Earrings are fine because they don't really touch much of your skin, but necklaces, bracelets, and rings are often more trouble than they're worth once the temperature rises.”

She further suggest carrying a small handbag or jute bag. Chhawi explains, “The last thing you want on a hot day is a huge backpack stuck to your back, or a gigantic tote stuck to your side, making you sweat. Take this opportunity to clean out your bag and get back to basics, since the less stuff you carry around, the less you will exert yourself, and the less sweaty you will feel as a result.”

One can wear third layer in breathable & soft fabric with open-weave knits. It can act as an additional layer to protect your skin.

Lastly in order to protect oneself from the sun and rain it’s advisable to carry stylish umbrella, hat & woven scarf. “Use umbrella, wear a wide-brimmed hat or keep a lightweight, woven scarf in your bag. Drape the scarf over your shoulders or head whenever you feel like you're getting too much sun. It's so lightweight that you'll barely feel it,” concludes Chhawi.

About the contributors:

Sonia Paradesi is an image consultant and the founder of Sonia Paradesi Image Consulting, a firm based in Bangalore. She is a Certified Image Management Professional and Certified NLP (Neurolinguistic-Linguistic Programming) Practitioner. She received the 'Corporate Stylist of the Year' award in 2020, as well as the 'Global Outstanding Leadership Award for 'Personal Development and Image Management' in 2021. (Powered by Indian Leadership Academy and Skill Central UK).She has coached people from many walks of life over the last ten years, including IT professionals, CEOs, CFOs, VPs, students, and housewives. Here are few inputs given by Sonia. She recommends the following items as summer must-haves for women:

Chhawi Asthana, is an Image Enhancer & Corporate Trainer. She has worked as a Research Scholar and a Software Engineer. With the realization that many potential leaders were unable to succeed due to a lack of grooming, composure, and overall presence, Chhawi chose to enter the world of grooming and soft skills training.