Sometimes in life, when it rains it pours. But, at the end, there is always a beautiful rainbow. Until the rain clears and the sun shines, we might as well still look good! We’ve all been caught in a sudden storm, but when rain is consuming your city or your vacation, you can still look fashionable. We’ve all seen the people (or been the people!) with the jackets pulled up from our backs and over our heads, the jeans rolled up so the bottoms don’t become sopping wet, and the wet hair stuck to our face. This is not cute or enjoyable. Wherever you are heading, you usually spend the rest of the day freezing. So, when rain is predicted or already occurring, here are some tips to keep your look hot and dry.
Rain boots - Whether it’s hot or cold out, rain boots are a must for keeping warm and dry. If your feet are wet and cold, you’ll never warm up the entire day. Although Burberry has a rain bootie, I’m just not loving it yet. I say stick with the full boots. It’s ok to show off your legs in the summer with a pair of shorts or sundress and cute pair of Wellingtons. For fall/winter, pair your rain boots with tight cigarette jeans or leggings. You want a tight fit just like you were wearing regular fashion boots. You don’t want your pants bunching up around the knees. I would recommend a rain boot in a solid color or a simple classic print. Unless you are five, it really isn’t fashionable to rock some goulashes with rubber duckies or multi colored hearts on them. For the fashionista with a little wiggle room in her budget, I absolutely love the classic Hunter Original Tall Wellington boots for $115 or the Burberry Chain Embellished Wellington for $395. Not much cash to spare? Target has a rubber rain boot called the Women’s Zetta Tall Rain boot for $24.99. The boot comes in about 20 different solid colors.
Raincoats – You probably don’t really need a rain coat in the summer if you have a good umbrella. If the temperatures have dropped, though, or you’re attending an outdoor event like a sporting event or outdoor concert, a raincoat is definitely your best bet. There are many different styles from trench coats, to ponchos, to anoraks. If you are going to work or attending a nice dinner, a trench coat is the best choice. They come in lengths ranging from at the hip to mid calf, so just pick what you like best. If it’s summer, you’ll want the at the hip to mid thigh length so the bottom of the coat isn’t smacking against those bare summer legs. A longer trench in the winter will add warmth and protection. Sporty hooded rain jackets, or anoraks, are great for every day running around and can look super cute with a pair of jeans and Hunter or Burberry Wellingtons. Both trench coats and anoraks are looking super fashionable this fall with exposed off center zippers, ruffles, and oversized buttons. Now, if the word poncho makes you think of those hideous neon orange ponchos, erase the image! They’re not that bad. They are not the most flattering and have probably never even graced your fashion wish list, but if you’re stuck outside for a long period of time, you’re gonna fall in love with that poncho like you never imagined. Promise! Any major department store will have a great selection of raincoats. Nordstrom has an awesome online selection of fashionable coats ranging in price from under $100 to over $1,000.
Umbrellas – This is the easiest item you can have and the most obvious. Follow my same advice as the boots, don’t go rubber duckie or lady bug happy with your umbrella. Keep it classic and simple. You don’t need to break the bank when buying an umbrella. Prices start at around $10 at Target and will work just as well as the $230 Prada umbrella at Saks Fifth Ave.
Although we don’t normally advise to go all out matching when it comes to fashion and your accessories, this is one area I like best when matched up. A yellow rain coat, purple umbrella, and Burberry plaid rain boots just doesn’t work. If you don’t want to go all one color, stick with two and keep one of them a neutral. A red boot with a black trench and red umbrella works. Picture the difference?
HOW TO WEAR YOUR HAIR ON A RAINY DAY:
Everybody knows that on a rainy day, hair styling can be frustrating and nearly impossible because of the moisture in the air. The rain makes hair frizzy and limp even under an umbrella. The trick to a successful hairstyle for a rainy day is to keep as much of the hair under control as possible. This can be achieved with the use of a few simple accessories and hair products.
The easiest and most effective hairstyle for a rainy afternoon is the classic sleek ponytail.The ponytail works because it pulls the majority of the hair from the face and controls it in the back. Pre-condition the hair with a deep conditioner of your choice, blow dry with a round brush and pull back. Product such as the Paul Mitchell Silk Serum can be used to weigh down the hair and create a sleek look. Also, don't forget to apply Silk Serum to the ends to prevent frizz.
As a general rule, for a rainy day, the less loose hair the better. A chunky headband can be used to create control and hold down fly- a -ways. If you have bangs, sweep them to the side because nothing looks worse then limp frizzy bangs! A side fringe can add detail to a ponytail or a headband, and gives you another option other then to pull it all back. Use a small dab of silk serum in the bangs to prevent curling and frizzing.
Another good idea is a headscarf or bandana, which will also look cute while controlling the hair. A headscarf can cover most of your do and can be removed once you are out of the rain. Both of those look great with a side bang as well.
If you want to try something different, you can try low pig tails or braids. A braid or two is a great way to control the hair and keep it from flying away or frizzing, and pigtails are a classic and cute look. Both braid(s) and pigtails can be worn with a chunky headband or scarf.
If you tire of the ponytail you can easily transform it into a classic bun by winding it abound the hair tie and tucking in the ends. Be aware that a "messy bun" can look ragged and frizzy on a moist day, so it’s better to keep it simple and neat.
There are many products that you can use to add control and weight. Pomade can be used on shorter hair to control the ends and provide texture. It has enough weight to control and hold down any frizz, while still allowing for some hair to remain loose. I would highly recommend a serum such as the Paul Mitchell Silk Serum or the tigi Rockaholic Shine Blaster (although its a bit lighter it still works very well). Also, the CHI Silk Infusion product is fantastic to hold down frizz and flyaway’s. A light hair spray can also be used but only a small amount, over spraying can cause the hair to stick and separate.
Always precondition the hair if you wash it that day and use the silk serum or pomade on any loose pieces such as the bangs and the ends of your pony tail(s). A light wax such as "fiber" by Crew can also be used. Avoid using and curl enhancement products or oils because those can cause separation and limp frizzy hair. If your hair is naturally curly, that's ok, run a small amount of silk serum through the hair (root to end) and pull back or use a headscarf. The serum will keep your curls together and under control.
Also, avoid gels. Many gels are water based and will react to the moisture in the air, causing the hair to frizz and go limp.
Comb the hair or the ponytail with a wide toothcomb if necessary.
