To Indians, the monsoon is not just a weather pattern; it’s a feeling. It marks the start of a season filled with crispy pakoras, and, of course, plenty of chai (or matcha, if that’s more your jam), all accompanied by the sounds and smells of the rain. At the other end of the spectrum, there’s also the inevitable damp laundry, gloomy skies, and hair frizz. So, to help clear your spirits and provide a colourful pick-me-up, we’ve curated a selection of playful and (mostly) useful monsoon-adjacent must-haves.
We started with more practical offerings. Umbrellas, of course, but also parkas, gumboots, and raincoats. There’s even a rain bonnet from New York-based headgear specialists Clyde that we love. Some things were more special than others—like the Netherlands-based brand Senz’s windproof umbrellas or a rare, one-of-a-kind Issey Miyake umbrella made in collaboration with painter Aya Takano. For parkas, we’ve got options from Ralph Lauren and Uniqlo, and if you’re looking for styling cues, luckily the spring/summer 2025 runways were chock-full of this practical, waterproof jacket. They made an appearance at Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, and Michael Kors, and were layered over tutus, evening dresses, and leg-baring bloomers, and are perfect for those committed a great fit, even when it's pouring outside.
A few of these are just fun and on-theme—like a water resistant watch from Casio or a Pylones tote that looks like a watering can. Others are geared towards any monsoon-inspired road trips you might take.
Finally, we didn’t forget that you might want to hunker down at home on a stormy evening. So, there’s a board game where players race to be the best cheesemonger, socks to stay cosy, and the ultimate matcha kit to start you off on your tea ceremony practice. Shop from our picks below.
