Water Proof

Today I woke up to pounding rain sputtering on my balcony. It was beautiful. I love the sound of rain, especially in the spring when the air is soft and light. I also adore the idea of dressing for the wet weather. It’s weird, I know, but raincoats, rain boots, umbrellas, rain hats and even galoshes, are a source of wardrobe delight.

I love a bit history attached to my fashion. When I lived in London we visited the Museum of Costume in Bath and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibits were so large and inviting. And always quite intriguing. To wear the layers, volume and fabrics from those days, well, let’s just say we’re lucky we’ve been a part of modern technology. Which leads me to this little ditty. Did you know that the raincoat (er, Macintosh) was invented in 1823? The rubberized cloth came about during a time of exploration. People were jumping on ships to explore the world and required a trusty coat to brave the elements. The idea seems so grand, doesn’t it? Petite, well-to-do women huddled in oversized Macintosh raincoats. So unobtrusively glamorous.

Today’s women, however, require a lot more style and punch. A sleek shape and smart fit do wonders for the modern figure. I mean why should raincoats, boots, galoshes, hats and umbrellas only come oversized and in black? Color is important!

So as I was browsing resources on the web a link to ehow.com jumped out. Ten tips on how to buy a raincoat. Interesting, I thought to myself as I clicked on the site. So far the only rule I’d been following was to make sure the gear be both fashionable and hip, not plastic or shiny. After all, what’s on the outside is always one’s first impression. Still, I read the tips and low and behold, one really stood out. See below.

Step two: Consider the warmth of the raincoat and the climate of the place where you'll wear it most often. Although some parkas are both warm and waterproof, you may only need a light raincoat to go over clothing.

Ah. Yes. The fit. That’s something I noticed yesterday when I pulled on my orange Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti trench. It’s still late winter/early spring so sweaters, cardigans and suit jackets are necessary. My raincoat, though fantastic, is cut for a snug fit. And layers don’t always work. So yes, ehow.com is right. Make sure whatever you buy goes through the layer test so as to ensure a comfortable fit.

Which brings me to my list. At the very top of it is this lipstick red, patent slicker from Burberry. Talk about statement style. This is so hot it’s got to be worn everyday. Imagine it paired with dark, raw denim – like these Acne action jeans - and black puma’s. Divine. And just in time for weekend jaunts to damp cities like London, Seattle and San Francisco.

I’m also envisioning my walks to work in this Gsus hooded red rain jacket. Gosh, I must be into red. A tad more casual than the aforementioned, it’s also a lot cheaper at $205.

For rain accessories you can’t beat the mix of wellies and galoshes on zappos.com. I especially love the Gabriella Rocha striped rain boots in neutral cream/navy and the Sperry wedge boots – a style I’ve always coveted. The range of hats is also endless. Floppy versions are fun and whimsical, as are canvas, but my favorite has to be this reversible rain hat from shopintuition.com. The colors are juicy and the style sweet. Believe me, with this hat and those boots you’ll be the talk of a very wet town.