Step up your style with splash of colours this monsoon

New Delhi: Wondering how to step up your style quotient this monsoon? Go for brighter colours and sleek silhouettes in light fabrics, say fashion experts.

"Monsoon is all about colours. All colours from saffron to blue and beige and even black and white, but used in a very different style, are in vogue. It`s about mixing the right colour with the right fabric," designer Arpan Vohra told reporters. The fashion mantra during monsoon is style with comfort, said Kamakshi Kaul, head designer, fashion brand Max, which witnessed a spurt in demand for shorts, capris and knee-skimming skirts ahead of the ongoing rainy season. "While we do not have a particular collection for the monsoon, the focus for our new pieces is on bold colours and fabrics that are light weight and can dry easily," said Kaul. "The silhouettes are sleek compared to the flowing designs used in summer. The hem-lines go shorter as people want to avoid fabric sticking to their skin as they walk in the rain," Kaul added. Women who love to wear ethnic outfits can get rid of dupattas and play around with shrugs and scarfs, suggests Vohra. "Dupattas are done to death. So I would reckon do something different like, wear a shrug over anarkali. Most Indian women are comfortable with a dupatta; so they can use it as a stole or a scarf and play around with it," Vohra said. Accessorising in the minimalist but the right way is also important. "Accessorise your look according to your body type. If it is for the western wear, then minimise it. Simplicity is in," Vohra said. Considering how messy it gets while walking through the clogged roads and streets, flip-flops emerge as clear favourite footwear among boys, while colourful ballerinas are popular with girls. "During this season, there is a demand for colourful flip-flops and closed shoes. People tend to avoid canvas and go for PVC material and rubber soles that provide a firm grip. Again, we see a preference for brightly coloured ballerinas among the young girls," Kaul said. For men`s fashion during monsoon, "if it`s a desk job, wear your best shirt and trousers that make you feel free and does not stop your movement and is not very fitted. For casual wear, one can opt for denims and flip flops," Vohra suggested. Umbrellas are a unisex must have during the rainy season. According to designer Rick Roy, umbrellas can also be flaunted in a stylish way and used as a great accessory to step up one`s look. "Invest in different, colourful funky gum boots and umbrellas. Don`t use the boring grandpa black umbrellas and do wear fabrics that dry quickly," said Roy, who styles tinsel town actors like Emraan Hashmi, Sonam Kapoor and Malaika Arora Khan. IANS