WET WEATHER GEAR
Salient points to bear in mind for looking good in bad weather.
Aside from the late Gene Kelly, one would be hard-pressed to find a well-dressed man gleefully singing in the rain as it pours down on his ( probably dry clean-only) workday best. However, considering the fact that the way most of us deal with inclement weather is to duck from sheltered building to sheltered building, there is obviously little need to load up on heavy-duty rain gear. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make smarter choices when it comes to what you’re wearing, come monsoon season. Almost every luxury brand worth its salt has a solid selection of technical-fabric jackets these days, offering outerwear that shields you (or rather, your suit) from the elements, while looking stylish and weighing almost nothing. We break down some easy style points to remember when the storm clouds gather.
KEEP A BROLLY HANDY
When you drive everywhere, an umbrella might seem unnecessary. But on those occasions where you simply have to cross between two unsheltered points, it can make all the difference in getting to your destination on time and in a relatively dry state, instead of having to wait in a covered corner for a downpour to diminish. Leather-handle umbrella, from Dunhill.
COVER UP STYLISHLY
This Z Zegna jacket represents what we like about many performance pieces created by our favourite brands these days: Firstly, it has style chops – just check out how its rich light brown shade contrasts handsomely with the crinkled finish of its technical material. Secondly, it is versatile, thanks to a removable quilted inner layer that adds an extra layer of warmth when you travel to cooler climes. Polyamide jacket, from Z Zegna.
RETHINK WOOL
Cotton is a popular material for basics in the tropics, but wool – despite seeming to be a cool-weather staple – can also be a smart choice. Performance wools such as that of this Techmerino top by Z Zegna are lightweight, breathable and, most importantly, temperature-regulating – minimising that “warm outdoors but freezing in the office” feeling on rainy days. Techmerino top, from Z Zegna.
FOOTWEAR THAT CAN HANDLE PUDDLES
There is only some footwear that is truly water-resistant, and most of them are not suitable for the office – think rubber rain boots or, worse, Crocs. As far as office-appropriate shoes go, we recommend boots such as this smooth-leather pair by Hermes, which has a higher shaft that lets less water splash into socked feet. And, while they are smart enough for formal occasions, they come with rubber soles instead of leather ones, a feature that will keep you steady when you’re hurrying over wet ground. Cashmere jogger pants, from Brunello Cucinelli. Leather boots, from Hermes.