It is not just the pouring rain causes depression during the rainy season. Wet socks, clammy shirts and damp trousers send a chill through the bones and a dart of gloom into the heart. But with these Chosun Ilbo tips on monsoon wear, things don't need to be so bad.

◆ Outerwear

Long pants will only increase your inconvenience on rainy days. Cropped pants that expose ankles or knee-length cropped jeans guarantee more freedom of movement. Rolled-up jeans whose length can be adjusted as you see fit are a must-have in this year's rainy season.

Wearing long shirts or short dresses to go with them helps you hide any flab around your tummy and creates a cute look. But avoid white or pastel-colored pants, since visibly mud-spattered trousers are an eyesore. If the temperature is high enough, skirts are fine. Fashion consultants advise A-line or pencil skirts, and jackets or boleros to achieve the balance. Choose a bright, strong color for top or bottom to dispel the gloom. And make sure that the color of your underwear goes well with your clothes, because dark underwear will show through if light outerwear gets wet. If you don??t want to wear colors that stand out, at least carry brightly colored accessories or bags.

◆ Colors of the Rain

Men should wear brightly colored shirts and black or navy trousers and shoes as chances are that their lower garments will get spattered with muddy water on rainy days. Hot pink or ink-blue polo shirts are fine for informal occasions, and dress shirts with stitches or unique buttons without ties are good for formal occasions. If it is chilly outside, creased jackets or cardigans made of acrylic blended yarn will keep you warm. For occasions when you must wear ties, pick slim monochrome ones. Functional synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and cool max are better than silk or wool which are vulnerable to humidity, and cotton or hemp which tend to droop from absorbing humidity despite feeling good to the touch.

◆ Shoes for Wet Feet

If you already bought summer boots, put them on now. They go well with miniskirts or rolled-up jeans and protect your feet from getting wet. In case you walk over a puddle, platform  will serve you well, but you may hurt yourself seriously if you slip. Wedge heels are not recommended on rainy days, as they are heavy and easily damaged. Instead, wear a pair of sandals if you've made up your mind not to care whether your feet get wet or not. Most sandals have rubber soles that protect you from slipping. Aqua shoes pump out water and are good when you paddle in the water. Gore-Tex shoes dry up faster and protect salarymen from grief because of rain-dampened shoes. Leather shoes are on the whole not recommended during the monsoon as they go out of shape in the rain. If this does happen, fill your shoes with newspapers to dry them up completely overnight. An extra pair of indoor shoes or socks will be of a great help on rainy days.