The combination of high temperatures and increasing humidity during monsoon season exaggerates the true feel temperature, and the weather becomes oppressive as a result. Incessant rain and high humidity create an excellent environment for the growth and spread of disease-causing viruses and bacteria. The allergy season coincides with the rainy season. During the monsoon, conjunctivitis, rashes, and itching are frequently caused by wet clothing and humid conditions.
Nowadays, clothing plays more complex functions. It must be both physically and emotionally comforting which can be ensured by not just the soft cosiness of the fabrics but also by clever textiles and innovation that responds to the wearer's environment. Comfort, toughness, adaptability, and quality define athleisure fabrics. The materials used to create athleisure must fulfil practical and design requirements because the finished product must seamlessly fit into an active and sociable lifestyle.
While the humidity is also on the rise, a lot of those summer-friendly fabrics need to be kept aside, as everything is not suitable for this weather. Lighter, yet stronger, fabrics are what people need to opt for. Some of the most favoured fabrics are cotton, mulmul and light-weight silk and rayon fabrics. Also, one should stay away from fabrics which usually tend to stick to one’s skin due to the rains.
The ideal fabric to wear in the monsoon season is cotton, as it is an excellent material for the humid climate and it allows air to flow in and around the skin, creating a cooling effect while keeping you dry. Also, rayon fabric can feel like silk, yet is similar to cotton and linen in its cool and airy construction. It does not trap body heat and absorbs moisture easily.
A few more fabrics include chambray, a cotton-based denim look-alike fabric that is a great choice for monsoon because it breathes beautifully. It is light, summery and doesn't stick to the body.
Denim, if worn right can be the perfect staple for monsoon season, picking a faded and ripped pair and working it up with all sorts of graphic/solid tees can upgrade the humid weather dressing game.
Nylon is a durable, yet lightweight material that dries rapidly and resists stains. It is more durable than polyester in addition to being breathable, sturdy, and smooth.
Elastane often known as spandex or lycra, provides the same breathability and quick drying, but its strength lies in its ability to expand to approximately 600 per cent of its original size and make for a good athleisure fabric.
With inputs from Divya Aggarwal, Co-Founder KZ07
