Attending a wedding in the midst of torrential rain may not be your idea of a fun time, especially if you’re wearing your finest designer wear. But skipping the wedding and going into hibernation mode isn’t the solution either. To help you navigate the monsoons without compromising on style, we got couturiers Shantanu and Nikhil and design label Vasansi Jaipur to weigh in on how to dress for a monsoon wedding.
Start with rain-friendly fabrics
“Fabrics need to be breathable, and should help in avoiding sweat patches. So synthetics are a complete no-no, as are dense fabrics like velvet and raw silk. Crepe and linen must be avoided too, for they have a tendency to shrink upon contact with water,” says Sampprati Sancheti, CEO of Vasansi Jaipur.
Sampprati recommends picking organic cotton, cotton silk blends and chanderi that are comfortable to wear for longer durations. “Lightweight fabrics such as silk organza always help in creating drapes and structured shapes for wedding outfits,” say designers Shantanu and Nikhil. But be careful, as the monsoon can affect the fall of your outfit and make it appear dull. You can even make the monsoons work in your favour by picking fuss-free fabrics like pure georgette and pure chiffon that instantly remove creases when worn in a humid weather. Magic? We think so.
Go with minimal embellishment
Picture courtesy: Shantanu and Nikhil
You may have noticed the intricate embroidery work on your expensive saris and suits changing into a darker shade… Blame it on the high level of humidity present in the air during monsoons. “Embroideries in the shade of copper, dull gold, deep grey and any shade other than natural silver or golden has a tendency to blacken quicker in monsoons. This includes the likes of copper dabka, coloured metallic sequins, antiquated gota and rose gold zardosi,” says Sampprati. He recommends avoiding outfits with zari embroidery comprising of real silver — generally found in handloom weaves like traditional ghatchola and kanjeevarams (wedding saris) — for day-long events.
Designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil have the solution. “Follow the philosophy of minimalism when it comes to embellishment — especially for the cocktail and sangeet functions — and maximise on the impact of silhouettes to increase the celebratory quotient,” they say.
Pick lighter colours
“It’s advisable to choose lighter shades during the monsoons like aquamarine blue, peach, pink and ivory,” say Shantanu and Nikhil. Sampprati agrees: “Pastels are more maintenance friendly as compared to deep colours. The quality of the fabric processing and the colour fastness plays an important role as well, in case you get drenched.”
Don’t compromise on style
Picture courtesy: Shantanu and Nikhil
Finally, take proper care of your garments
Shantanu and Nikhil suggest storing your wedding ensembles in cool and airy spaces where moisture will not affect the outfit. “The outfit should be left in the original packaging as the silhouette can be affected,” they add. “Real zari saris should be folded inside out, then wrapped in muslin and kept. Embroidered outfits should be stored in cloth bags with butter paper between the folds. Plastic bags should be avoided at all costs as they cause blackness,” says Sampprati. Lastly, try the traditional way to avoid getting clothes spoiled due to dampness — place a small quantity of rice in the closet, and voila.
