Monsoon Fashion

VADODARA: With monsoon set to hit the city, markets are flooded with season's accessories in new prints, patterns and fabrics. Umbrellas and raincoats have undergone makeovers to suit the changing tastes of Barodians.
Umbrellas that were earlier made only to serve a purpose have now become a way of making a style statement. Pastels have given way to bright colours and self-coloured or floral umbrellas have been replaced with checks and polka dots.And, if you are feeling a tad feminine, then frills are the way to go.
They come in all sizes and fabrics too. "We have umbrellas that measure 10 inches to 60 inches," says Nandlal Tahiliani, owner of Santosh Umbrellas in Nava Bazaar. "Fabrics, too, are different now. Besides the usual cotton or polyester, we have umbrellas in silk finish. Plus there are those with a reverse button that automatically closes the umbrella," Tahiliani adds.
Starting with Rs 35 for the smallest one, prices of these umbrellas go up to Rs 350. While most of them are manufactured in Mumbai, the raw material often comes from Falna in Rajasthan and handles of some are manufactured in the city itself.
Raincoats also are now available in a variety of prints and designs. Other than the usual plastic ones, rubberised raincoats have hit the markets. Prices range from Rs 200 to Rs 800. While some have colourful prints, others have a pocket for a backpack. "The plastic raincoats are manufactured in Mumbai and the rubberised ones in Kolkata and Delhi," says Ashok Khetwani of Komal Hosiery Mart in Mangal Bazaar. "Kids prefer the ones with cartoons. We have Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and many other cartoons that children love."
However, the footwear department has nothing new to offer with stores only selling all-season footwear. "There is hardly any rain in Vadodara, so there is no demand for rainy shoes. But now, microlon rubber in footwear has been replaced by EVA rubber, which is cheaper, lighter in weight and more durable in the rains," says Darshan Parmar of N N Parmar Shoes in Raopura.