Sunday, September 27, 2009

Weathering the rain in style - and staying dry!

I spent a good amount of today sitting around in a wet, windy and freezing cold tent in Prospect Park... and was dumbfounded as to how people dress for a rainy day. Come on, it rains about 25 % of the time in New York! Why not just roll with it and invest in some raingear that reflects your personal style, instead of opting for that drab and slobby look, wrapping yourself up in those unshapely garbage bag looking rain ponchos that people seem so fond of?

My outfit for the day consisted of a powder pink mid-thigh belted rain trenchcoat, a black/white nautical stripe mohair sweater, black skinny pants, a black chain-strap Chinatown Chanel tote (no laughing, please), a turquoise Thai silk scarf and my beloved bluebird rainboots, pictured above on the right. Sadly, I think I might have been one of the few who was at least somewhat warm, dry and cozy inside of that tent without deviating too much from how I normally dress.

The fashion cop inside of me was literally shuddering at the sight of one of my Festival Queen colleagues (pictured left). Rain poncho and flimsy Gristede's shopping bag legwarmers?! Or was there some other purpose that the plastic bags wrapped around her ankles were supposed to serve? When I started writing this blog, I vowed to keep it free of catty commentary - which I am highly capable of, if needed - and any pointing out of this and that person's most recent fashion faux pas... but I feel this is one of those cases where I just can't keep my mouth shut and, hence, breaking the rule is allowed. Fashion up, girl!

One of the makeup artists for the event (pictured right), on the other hand, tried to keep it uber-fashionable with a little black dress, silver jewelry and the most gorgeous boots I have ever spotted at a muddy park fest (not counting Kate Moss's Glastonbury wellies!). However, in my opinion there is actually nothing stylish or effortless about sticking to your signature minidress-and-stilettos look when spending a day in a muddy field and being soaked in sideways rain. Looking like a wet dog is not cute, and regardless, feeling miserable about freezing your limbs off is usually never worth it... nor is spending the following week in bed popping Sudafed.

When in doubt regarding what to wear for a casual outdoor event like this one, I guess Kate's Glastonbury getup is always a safe bet (I am not even going to think about posting a picture: I know you've all seen it a million times!). However, for those days when it's pouring like never before and you still want or need to look somewhat well put together, as opposed to as if you had just rocked out to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at APW'09.... check out some of my favorite rainboots (all from the FW09 collections), raincoats and umbrellas below for some inspiration. From left to right, row by row: Dior Patent Leather Rainboot, Chanel Camelia Rainboot, Coach Pammie Signature Stripe Rainboot (this one retails for a really nice price), Betsey Johnson Polka Dot Rain Trench, Chanel raincoat look, Marc Jacobs raincoat look SS08, umbrellas from Brollies Galore, Cath Kidston and Marimekko.






















So, dear readers, do you go fab or drab when it's raining?! I am dying to know! ;)

50 comments:

  1. Oh I hope fab, but not as fab as you or Kate. I have a slim-cut black trench which I love, but I absolutely hate umbrellas (out of laziness) so I usually put a hat on which means the rest of me still gets pretty wet. Once I save up for some Hunter wellies- I'll be set ;) Love your boots- too cute!

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  2. I desperately need to invest in some rain boots! i swear it rains here almost every day lately! i'm tired of wearing soaked shoes

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  3. Now that you mentioned this, I better get a fab rain boots because it's raining non-stop in Manila. A storm just left and there's another one coming.

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  4. I have a pair of yellow Marc Jacobs rainboots with a heel -- I always need a heel!

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  5. I hope fab !
    But sometimes it's difficult !!!
    http://mimietnini.canalblog.com/

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  6. I go for drab and sometimes for fab... i hate to say it..but the rains bums me out: wellies, jacket and a hat and im done.
    But i love my black wellies though.

    One Love,
    Jowy
    www.iseejanemary.blogspot.com

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  7. That pink frilly umbrella is really very cool.

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  8. GOSH I HATE THE RAIN,
    I guess I could buy some of these beautiful items to keep me dry :D

    xx

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  9. As fab as possible. It rains a lot in the UK too. I have a cap as umbrellas in London are pointless!

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  10. True, umbrellas don't do much for you in windy weather with sideways rain... but I usually try. I have about five of them! :)

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  11. Somewhere in the middle I think. :O)

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  12. Replying to your comment,
    I'm planning on making the sunnies myself,
    I'll buy cheap ones and stick diamonds on them :D

    xx

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  13. Oh cool! Make a DIY post out of it! ;)

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  14. i go DRAB but i am DYING to go fab!!
    a pair of leaopard print rainboots are in my future :)
    great idea for a post!!

    myglitteringcreation.blogspot.com

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  15. omgosh didnt even realize i was on your blogroll! forgot if you were on mine so i rushed right over to add you to mine....shoulda been there anyways since i'm always checkin your blog!

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  16. Hahah... no worries. I just created it this morning and added pretty much all the blogs I like to check out now and then, and yours is one of them. ;)

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  17. I agree: There is nothing more fabulous than dressing for the weather. That is what makes fashion so challenging and so much fun! I love everything in your collage, especially that GORGEOUS ruffled pink umbrella (I want! I want!) and those adorable Coach rain boots.

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  18. I must know what the ankle bags were for! Don't people know how many cute wellies are out there?

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  19. "Those unshapely garbage bag looking rain ponchos"
    Hilarious!

    I agree with you, Wellies are even very cool , so why not make a little investment as you say ,it is fashion anyway (make me think for a future sketch on my blog, it will be a special dedication for you!).
    Actually I don't wear them , because where I live, I'd never wear them....

    Ps; I bloglisted you....

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  20. But sometimes catty can be fun;) Your boots are amazing!

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  21. There are so many great rain boot options now. I think I'm leaning towards getting a pair of Hunters since they're pretty classic.

    http://fashionroadkill-halifax.blogspot.com

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  22. Rain with style ! I love this funky post !!!
    Thx***°°°***

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  23. I go somewhat fab :P skinny jeans so the bottom of the jeans don't get wet, and a cute hat...I don't like hooded coats...
    great post!

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  24. Please darling, I go fab! A little rain is no reason to turn drab! This is such a wonderful post. I too adored Kate Moss' Glastonbury wellies - I would give anything for them. Right now I'm coveting a pair of Hunter wellies - so gorgeous. Of course, in Southern California you have little to no use for rainboots; but it's always good to have a pair on hand...just in case. :)

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  25. Fab collage, darling! Love the umbrellas in particular!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  26. I have been thinking about buying some rain boots lately. You have got to stay fab! Rain or shine!

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  27. Absolutely Loove This Blog
    FinkPinkHomey.blogspot.com

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  28. I must have those striped rain boots! So adorable!
    Have a great day!
    xx

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  29. happy one month birthday!!!!

    Teacups & Couture

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  30. that pink umbrella is awesome!!!

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  31. i'd love a fantastic pair of wellies..

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  32. I love the new fashion rain boots. They are too fab. :)

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  33. Your outfit sounds so fab! I do love the Chanel wellies! As I live not only in England but in Manchester the wettest place in the world, I wear wellies a lot. Vivienne Westwood has some new Melissa little ankle ones due in I have my eye on. Carrier bag ankle warmers, that is something I have never seen before LOL
    x Pearl

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  34. I love love love rain boots and own 3 pairs of them!

    www.smalltownchic.com

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  35. I love a new pair of gummies, especially hot ones like those

    http://stoleninspiration.blogspot.com/

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  36. I'm curious about that pink umbrella. What on earth is that made from?

    I was at a restaurant Saturday and saw a girl wearing Juicy Couture rain boots. I was thinking, "How rich do you have to be to invest in expensive rain boots?" Something you only wear once every now and then.

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  37. I can't really figure that ruffled umbrella out... I'm not sure I would actually use it, but it's cute! And I swear, if you live in the Northeast, you're better off spending your money on designer rainboots than for instance suede or any other material that gets ruined by wet weather! :D

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  38. I totally need some rain boots! Ive never owned any before. I like the ones you posted! xx

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  39. Kate did look amazing, she always does. I really want a clear rain jacket so you can see my outfit!
    XOXOX
    Libby
    http://fashionconfectionairy.weebly.com

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  40. sometimes the rain is really great instead of sunshine. i love the ghosty umbrella.

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  41. I want to think that fab!love rain:)

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  42. I love that Betsey Johnson polka dot rain trench!!! I'm also so happy to see you posting that Marimekko umbrella (from my home country Finland..), they also make cute rain boots that I'm planning to buy for this autumn!

    Normally I have been stupid using ballerinas and ruining my leather boots with rainy weather but this time I will be wiser. Here in Milan it happens to rain also quite often during the winter!

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  43. i like to wear my rainboots and cutoff shorts or a skirt on a rainy day. gotta still look cute!

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  44. I'm from Portland, so of course love rain gear! I am going to have to check out that polka dot trench!

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  45. I love large clear umbrellas and oversized scarfs!

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  46. I like rugged boots in the rain; I wear Le Chameau with a tightly belted mini trench.

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  47. haha! nu kommer jag aldrig kunna åka A-train mellan 59 och 125 igen. och håller med... den dag jag gifter (om) mig kommer jag inte köra pralinstilen iaf. KRAM

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  48. Jag vet, jag promenerar nastan hellre efter att blivit delgiven denna exklusiva info... skall paminna dig om det dar med pralinstil om det blir nodvandigt. Kram! ;)

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  49. My rain outfit: baby pink Bebe ruffle trench, pink wellies (with hearts on them...) and a purple floral umbrella. Oversweet Luella-esque, I think! But my mum just bought me an umbrella with LIGHTS on it, so I can't wait to try that out.

    And how cool that you saw a Shanghai Tang boutique!! :)

    xx Leia

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