There was a world we knew before and there is the one we know now. The “New Normal” is here. Many of us do not really have the option of staying at home. But with a little patience and clarity we can all step out in safety, and style.

When protection takes precedence over everything, style too should be aimed at being easy and breezy.

Easy because with so much washing, it better be just that. Breezy because the weather demands it.

Top recommendation:

• Cotton clothes
• Salwaar and full sleeves kameez: Chikankari kurtas are in, pretty, and apt for the weather. Simple printed cotton kurtas also work.
• One-piece dresses: Preferably structured. Easy to handle, wash and dry.
• Shirts and trousers: Cotton cotton cotton.
• Denims: Gone are the days when one took pride in unwashed denims. If you do the denim, do the wash routine as well.
• T-shirts: All-time favourite, fuss -free.
• Cloth bags/jholas: Super easy to wash.
• Shoes: Any shoe that can either be left outside the house or easily washable shoes like Crocs. They are smart, trendy and totally easy.
• Scarves and dupattas: If there is a possibility of interaction with many people, covering the head could be an option.

Shabana Munshi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Belle Vue Clinic, Calcutta, who has to take very special care now in dealing with her patients, advises on a few habits and clothes:

• Avoid touching the face mask at all times. Treat it like “underwear”. Use the strings at the two ends of the mask to wear and remove.
• Sanitise hands after touching any object outside the house.
• A solution of sodium hypochorite can destroy the virus. Clothes can be soaked in this solution and then washed with soap and water.
• Dry heat at 70 degrees can kill the virus. Ironing at this temperature can be an option.
• Wear breathable full sleeves clothes, of material such as cotton.
• Leave the outdoor shoes outside the house.
• The virus does not survive on inanimate objects for more than 72 hours. Everyday belongings such as phone, keys, wallets should be handled as infrequently as possible when outside the house. Sanitiser sprays can be used to sanitise some of these things.
• Three-ply masks made of an outer layer of non-woven fabric, a middle layer of a filter fabric, and an inner layer made of a soft, skin gentle facial tissue prevent 80% virus entry unlike N95 which prevents 95%.
• Covering the head could be a good idea.
• Worrying will not help solve the problem. Being protected and spreading right information will help us win over this virus.

The columnist speaks her mind on everything about fashion. Contact: sanikakakirde@gmail.com