25 Wardrobe Essentials For Monsoon: The Ultimate Guide To Styling In 'Rain' Mode

Cotton is a natural material with a low-absorbent quality, and dries quickly. It's great for humid weather as it's pretty breathable and a lightweight fabric. Like this tiered A-line dress from UNIQLO that is flowy and also comes with a slip inside. It's short, so you don't have to worry about getting it dirty while jumping in the puddles! 

Styling: Style it by cinching it with a belt, complete the look with a small sling bag, and some waterproof minimal jewellery. 

After the gloomy lighting of the rain clears, the colour green pops and looks exceptionally captivating. And so we feel adding this green shirt dress to the collection should be considered! Made with 100% cotton, Drawn has named this playsuit 'Short' as it looks like a shirt dress but, in reality, has secret shorts attached so you can lounge in comfort. 

Styling: Wear tarnish-free, minimal jewellery and waterproof sneakers to complete the look. 

Wrap dresses are perfect for monsoon as they are easy to wear, remove, and layer with a raincoat if needed. They are also comfortable for varying humidity levels. This wrap midi dress by Femmella comes in a gorgeous wine colour, with a belt. It is of medium length, so your hemline will be way off the ground and not get muddy! 

Styling: Wear the dress with your choice of sneakers to keep your feet clear of muddy puddles or stray splashes from vehicles. 

Midi dresses help keep your hemline away from the mud during the rainy season. This strappy dress by Mabish by Sonal Jain is made of rayon, is sleeveless, and hence, helps combat humidity in style. We love the pretty print it has, which matches the monsoon sentiment. 

Styling: Pair it with oxidised jewels and waterproof sandals for a dressier look. 

A quick dry t-shirt is pretty self-explanatory. The synthetic material is such that it dries fast and is lightweight. These would be perfect for someone who loves to go for a run in this weather and also great for humid weather as the cloth absorbs humidity from the body and transfers it outwards.

Styling: Pair it with quick-dry pants, and it makes for a good running fit. You can also wear it with your jeans, for a casual and sporty look. 

Obviously, we weren't going to miss printed shirts! This one is made from cotton, so you know that it can handle the monsoon humidity well. With its funky print, this shirt by Uptownie Lite is your cheat code to look dapper during the gloomy rains. You can get an oversized one if you want to rock some of that baggy street style. 

Styling: To suit the rains, your best bet would be to complement it with a black cotton pant and some waterproof white sneakers. 

Pro Tip: Here's how you can style an oversized shirt. 

Cotton is a soft fabric that dries faster than others so cotton kurtis need to be a staple of your monsoon wardrobe. They are super versatile and can be worn for any occasion — family gathering, work, classes, or just chilling at home. Get your hands on short sleeves or sleeveless kurtis like this one from Likha. A perfect fit for your monsoon wardrobe and your budget. 

Styling: Wear it over complementing cotton pants or pyjamas. 

Pro Tip: This list will help you buy the best cotton kurtis! 

Buying a set is probably the best hack to look chic without pulling your hair out to put together an outfit. Since the set is plain off-white, you can style it in numerous ways to look sophisticated or playful, and also style the pieces individually, especially the bandeau top. The tops and bottoms are both made from cotton, making them breathable, comfortable, and quick to dry!

Styling: Wear waterproof sandals and tarnish-free minimal jewellery to strut in style, during the monsoon. 

You could either buy a raincoat jacket or a windcheater jacket/windbreaker for this season. The major difference between the two is that raincoat jackets are a little heavier and offer more protection against rain. So we suggest choosing on the basis of your region and usage. Windcheater jackets are awfully lightweight, take up space sparingly (if you wish to carry them in your bag), and, above all, are water repellent, making them perfect for areas with light rain. We liked this windbreaker from Adidas, which looks like it's going to be super easy to style.

Styling: Wear it over black pants and sneakers or as a layering piece above your original ensemble to save your fit from getting wet. 

Pro-Tip: Want to check out raincoats? Here are eight brands you can find online.

A shrug is an all-season essential. It helps with adding an element, colour, or texture to our fit. When the air gets a little cold while the sky faces a 'will rain/will not rain' conundrum, it's time for your cotton shrugs to shine. We liked this lace embroidered shrug by Style Quotient that has an airy structure that cinches the waist comfortably. 

Styling: Layer it above a monochrome fit to add a pop of colour. 

Oversized shirts are the best way to sweat less while looking put together. This oversized shirt by RSVP by Nykaa has a very rainy print that will help you complement the weather. Made of polyester, it will not cling to your skin when wet and dries fast, too. Make this shirt your monsoon best friend, and you will not regret it! 

Styling: Wear it with white or navy blue cotton or polyester pants and pearl jewellery for a dressier touch. 

Pro Tip: Here's where you can get the best pearl jewellery!

Monsoon nights are simply the best aesthetics to live for. The silent storms punctuated by the occasional thunder, the whooshing winds, and the slight pitter-patter against our windows. Having a staple monsoon night suit set is important, for all those late-night rain walks or a quick run to have ice cream when it rains. Cotton pyjamas do the trick by being super easy to dry while not clinging to your skin. We love this set by SAY, which looks pretty much like monsoon and beach vibes put together. 

Styling: Wear it with waterproof sneakers and a foldable tote bag if you are heading out. 

Pair your quick-dry tops with these quick-dry pants, and you have a standard monsoon fit that is both casual and sporty. These quick-dry, printed pants by SOIE are super cute and enough to add that pop of colour with their floral print. Their figure-hugging fabric will keep your legs sculpted, while they also come with pockets to hold your little essentials like keys and wallets. 

Styling: Wear it with a quick-dry shirt and waterproof sneakers. You can also wear it with a solid colour top to add an extra element with its print. 

Wrap skirts are easy to put together, and more importantly, remove and rewear when the rain gets too heavy. They look chic, elevate any fit, and can also be worn, hassle-free. This lace wrap skirt with fringes by The Clothing Factory is made of cotton and can be worn over biker shorts or tights, so you can unwrap the skirt and wear it over when the rains die down. 

Styling: Wear it with a black top or a cotton bandeau top and pair it with jelly sandals or black rain boots. 

Pro Tip: Planning a monsoon resort staycation? This guide will help! 

Cotton shorts are the best monsoon staple you can have. They are lightweight, breezy, and super comfortable. You can wear them as is or under a skirt or a dress. These straight shorts by Jockey are made of cotton, have pockets, and drawstrings to adjust your fit. You also don't have to worry about a stray splash from a moving vehicle in these. 

Styling: Wear it with a solid colour cotton shirt and waterproof sneakers for a sporty look. 

Midi skirts help channel elegance despite all the monsoon problems. The hemline is pretty above the mud and puddles, so rest assured, you will not fall prey to the monsoon devils in this one. We love this midi skirt by Posh Pants Club that is made of cotton and linen, comes in four different colours, and can be easily styled!

Styling: Cinch it with a belt and match it with a printed cotton shirt with similar colours. 

Made from holographic material, which is waterproof and very durable, this handbag from Hamster London is a great pick for the monsoon season. They also have totes and backpacks in the same materials, so you can get something that suits your routine and budget. 

Styling: Being holographic, this bag can easily go with all your fits. If you want to highlight the bag specifically, this bag styling guide will help! 

A crossbody sling bag helps to hold onto your things plus the umbrella, without the hassle of a balancing act. This crossbody sling bag by NFI Essentials is made of textured Oxford fabric, which is waterproof and can be easily cleaned. It is also an anti-theft bag with the back having a hidden compartment locked with a passcode.

Styling: You can wear it with your day-to-day fit like a top and jeans, or go all sporty with your quick dry shirt and pants. 

LBB Tip: It also has a USB interface so you can connect your phone to it. 

A waterproof phone bag or pouch is a must-have essential for monsoon, especially one that still allows you to click a good monsoon IG picture. This waterproof phone bag by IPX8 is unbreakable and can fit phones up to seven inches in length. You can take it along on your vacations, if you love water sports and want to keep your phone away from any splashes. We love that it has a simple lock and an adjustable neck strap. 

Styling: It goes with all your fits: an essential with reason. 

Truth be told, I have always had this in my closet, especially during monsoon. It is a staple for my grocery runs and looks pretty cute. It is made of polyester, is pretty easy to wash, is waterproof, and the best part is, it is foldable! You can fold it into itself and keep it in your bigger bag, or keep it in your pockets, and have a hassle-free rainy day walk.  

Styling: I usually take it out with my quick dry ensemble, but having a bright, floral pattern, you can pair it up with a colourful midi dress for that transitional weather look. 

For footwear, the preference is a close-top shoe that is also waterproof, which is why these Birkenstocks made from polyurethane are our top pick. They're easy and quick to slide in, and for Birks, one doesn't need to do any convincing! 

Sizes: UK 34 to 42

Pro-Tip: Birkenstocks too expensive? Here's a list of dupes!

Waterproof clogs are a godsend as they are the official poster boy for comfortable footwear that is also fun! These clogs by Doctor Extra Soft are waterproof, come in a floral pattern, and have anti-skid properties (because who needs an embarrassing memory of falling face-first into mud). They also come with an adjustable back strap and come in five different colours!

Styling: Wear it with your cotton tops and mid-length skirts for a cute fit. 

Nobody gets into the monsoon groove without rain boots, or gum boots, if you will. They are usually made of PVC, are easy to wash and fold. These floral rain boots by Huairdum are waterproof and come with rubber soles to ensure you don't skid. While not walking through puddles, you can also use them while gardening. 

Styling: You can wear your gum boots with an all black fit to draw attention to your floral footwear. Or, you can match the colours of your boots with your fit. 

Jelly footwear takes me back to my childhood. Apart from being a nostalgic element, they are also super flexible and waterproof, making them a coveted monsoon essential. Yehopere's jelly sandals are quick-drying and have anti-slip properties to keep you safe while you walk around. 

Styling: You can pair your favourite cotton top with blue jeans and get going with this beige jelly sandal that will add dimension to your fit. 

Anti-tarnish jewellery is a super important essential to add to your wardrobe. They help elevate the glam of your rainy day fits while also being resistant to water corrosion, and don't leave your skin looking green or yellow. You can buy some of these anti-tarnish jewellery brands for this monsoon!