Style Secrets: Stormy Sophistication

“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”
Langston Hughes
My loves, I understand your desire to barricade the front door, slither beneath your bed for optimal cover, or lock yourself within the confines of your bathroom to protect yourself from the downpour performing a virtual tap dance upon your roof and against the crystal clear windowpanes which once allowed smiling beams of sunlight to shine through with their warmth, but now display a gray, murky world full of unpleasantness. Do yourself an immediate favor and abolish such thoughts from your beautiful brain!

Take it from an individual who has suffered through the embarrassment of hideous rain coats glaring in all of their bright-colored glory; of frizzy hair sticking up in every which way, a jumble of haphazard disarray with the power to make random passersby cringe in horror; of beloved Burberry umbrellas turned inside out and rendered worthless courtesy of unexpected gusts of wicked 30 MPH winds – no matter how much you loathe the inconsiderateness and mere presence of stormy weather, it cannot be avoided.

As much as our poof-prone hair would love for us to be able to, one cannot wait out the wayward weather swaddled in piles of blankets accompanied by Serendipity on repeat and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie in hand. Rain or shine we, as the upstanding citizens we are, must face the harsh cruelties of the world regardless of the current climate; and face the world we shall – with true stormy sophistication, to be sure!

♥Sweet Feet I myself have never before met a puddle I didn’t like, there’s something purely innocent and whimsical about seeing a shallow pool of water and plunging straight into it; but even if you are not a card-carrying member of the puddle-jumping family, it is essential to have at least one pair of rain boots in your possession, on hand at a moment’s notice should the need for such foot accoutrement arise.

Though time and time again we try to deny it, the truth of the matter is that our beloved shoe collection truly takes the greatest beating during the drizzly days of the year. Suede’s turn soggy; knits become waterlogged; and leathers oftentimes lose their luster. For this reason alone, it is best to embrace a style crafted out of rubber, like Hunter Boots. Rubber rain boots are the most functional form of footwear when the weather turns blustery; yet, depending on the style you select, they retain a sassy savoir faire about their aesthetic which keeps you looking every bit the chic sophisticate.

“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Search for knee-high designs that are both playful and professional in their coloring and ornamentation. A pair of Original Hunter Wellington Rain Boots in fire engine red or aubergine have the potential to add a fun splash of color to your look; reptilian embossing, like that found on Pour La Victoire’s Rus Croc Rain Boots create elegance; and an equestrian/motorcycle inspired construction like KORS Michael Kors’ Stormy Rubber Engineer Boots possess the ability to contribute a dash of posh to your silhouette. The key to perfection in terms of rain boots is finding a pair that ensures both comfort and confidence in the wearer. Donning wellies may make one feel like a child; but that certainly does not mean you must look like one!

♥Below the Belt Given the fact that cold, wet, rainy, windy days are downright unpredictable, they are often the ideal time to tuck your tights, leggings, skirts, and dresses into the farthest corner of your dresser drawer, and accouter yourself in them on a more pleasant day. As a stylish girl about town, you absolutely do not want to spend the afternoon trying to keep a flirty frock from billowing out around your body a la Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch; therefore, it is best to style yourself in denim that will keep your lower half feeling snuggly, yet looking sassy!

Now I know what you’re thinking, denim is not appropriate attire for the office. That is an incorrect summation, if I do say so myself! Whether you are a hardworking member of the corporate world, or simply a style-savvy student, denim has its moments for any and all situations – rainy days are one of them. Your primary concern is merely to select an appropriate pair that pleases you without alienating your peers.

“Weather is a great metaphor for life – sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, and there’s nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.”
Pepper Giardino
Light and medium wash denims come across as being very casual, laidback, and lazy – ideas synonymous with Saturday afternoons spent playing baseball in the park, or strolling the shore. Denim that is either black or a dark wash is your best bet as it creates a sinewy silhouette that will make you smile; whilst holding fast to all semblance of cosmopolitan urbanity, which keeps you radiating professionalism. Another benefit of darker hued denim is that it easily conceals rain spots, so you always look put-together.

Since you are wearing rain boots, when choosing your denim du jour forgo the boyfriend jeans, and look for super skinny styles, like Genetic Denim’s Shane Recessive Cigarette Jeans or Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Skinny Stretch Jeans. Even if you don’t normally like how you look in skinny jeans, or pants with a tapered ankle, when you’re wearing boots they are ideal for the task, for they easily slip into the shaft of the shoe, without bunching around the knee in an unflattering fashion; plus they hug your curves in a way that keeps you looking phenomenal from the moment you slip them on, until the moment you slide them off!

♥Tales from the Trenches There’s no beating around the bush when it comes to the matter of outerwear; the plain and simple truth is that there is no easier way to effuse sophistication, affluence, high class, and complete magnificence in your wardrobe than via a taunting trench coat. Military jackets formulate a rugged motif, blazers invoke thoughts of getting down to business, hoodies oftentimes embrace an elementariness that takes your look down a notch, and puffer coats are quite frequently responsible for extra bulk on one’s body. The trench, on the other hand, is seductive, captivating, and amazingly alluring – all while providing you and your ensemble with an incredible amount of shelter from the raging storm.

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.”
Unknown
Trench coats are a timeless staple which can truly change the way the world views both you and your wardrobe; therefore it is your duty to select one that will see you through snowball fights and soccer games, thunderstorms and romantic walks in the park, and everything in between. A trench that falls mid-thigh or right above the knee is the length to look for, as it protects the most important parts of your body from the nippy night air, without causing you the type of worry about soil spots around the hemline that so often go hand in hand with ankle-length designs.

When choosing the trench of your dreams color is one of the most important aspects to take into consideration. A camel shade like that seen on Burberry’s Packable Trench Coat in Dark Trench is the most classic choice, the one that makes you think of Nancy Drew and her penchant for getting into mischief; however, it is not your only option. Noir hues like Theory’s Cecilia Trench Coat in Black are a chic alternative which streamline your style, and add a dash of dapper finesse to your overall look; and if you’re truly daring, an animal print like that proffered by Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Into the Wild Trench is a snazzy way to unleash your inner fierce fashionista. Last, but most certainly not least, make sure to select a piece which features a belt that you can cinch around your waist with true European flair to create a sassy silhouette that makes heads turn!

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”
Roger Miller
♥The Bewitching Blouse One thing never to forget is that, despite the shameless storm whipping the outside world apart, never should you allow the nastiness to transpire in your ensemble. Gloom and doom could be written in the sky, but that is no reason to stifle the sauciness of your style; especially in terms of the blouse you have deemed worthy of wearing under such harsh conditions.

You may feel the desire to slip into one of your ratty, I’m-too-sick-to-get-out-of-bed tees and slink out the door, assuming that no one will see it hidden under the adorable outerwear you plan on wearing all day, but you’re wrong. Don’t allow this way of thinking to get the best of you, for it is leading you down an incorrect path – one that will leave you riddled with embarrassment. I have made the error of wearing a stained tee out of doors, believing that it would be concealed by my cute cardigans, or beautiful bombers; only to discover that such blissful pieces of outerwear had to be removed after too much time spent in overheated locations, exposing my fashion faux pas to the masses. Hence the reason why choosing a pretty top to decorate your form during stormy weather is an absolute must!

Tunics get the job done better than most for the sheer fact that they create balance for your stormy sophisticate look. A piece like mark’s Cold Shoulder Top is ideal for it clings to your curves in all the right places, yet provides a little slack which complements the skinny jeans currently adorning your lower half. If you want to translate more glamour in your styling to truly sparkle without turning to the assistance of beaming baubles, look no further than an embellished top like Diane von Furstenberg’s Bini Tunic or Re Collection’s Studded Patchwork Tunic. Dainty and demure ornamentations hold the power to brighten up an overcast day with minimal effort and fuss; yet never cease to work wonders in taking your look to new heights.

“Walking through puddles is my favorite metaphor for life.”
Jessi Lane Adams
♥Decorations to Combat the Drizzle Darlings, I truly hope that you weren’t under the impression that I would allow you to step foot outside without a few dazzling decorations highlighting your look. You may be strolling through a downpour, but that is no reason to brave the world unornamented. This time, however, you are going to do me a very important favor and forgo blissful baubles for a few key pieces that are slightly more minimalist, yet just as magnificent!

♥Scarves I don’t believe any accessory retains the power to dress up one’s look more fabulously than a showstopping scarf in a charming color which hangs lankly in the most luxurious of fashions across the front of your blouse yet keeps your neck warm all at once. mark’s For the Frill of It Scarf is ideal for the flirty girl looking to add a little flounce to her person; while the Warm Welcome Turtleneck Scarf harbors a unique aesthetic which contributes a touch of teasing volume to your upper half. Layer it over a feminine pendant, like the Have A Heart Necklace for an extra glimmer of glamour.
♥Gloves It is not during every storm that one needs a pair of gloves to keep her dainty digits warm; but for those truly chilly days having a pair on hand is highly recommended. Forget about the obnoxious mittens that your mother used to imprison your fingers with; for gloves that will give your hands the freedom to move and groove while staying tantalizingly toasty look for fingerless styles like Vince’s Cable Fingerless Gloves or opt for mark’s two-in-one Warm Welcome Flip Top Gloves which provide you with the option of flip-flopping back and forth from fingerless to mitten style!
♥Hats Baseball caps, and oversized knit beanies be gone! If a girl absolutely must incorporate a hat into her look du jour, the most flattering way to do so is with the assistance of something amazingly ambrosial which only serves to make her cuter than she already is! Channel your inner Daisy Buchanan via a twenties-inspired On Top of It Cloche; play the role of a gorgeous Dick Tracy with Eugenia Kim’s menswear-inspired Maxine Fedora with Ruched Vintage Ribbon; or simply cater to your saucy snow bunny with a Faux Fur Hat. As long as you have fun with your headwear, cute boys are sure to follow closely in your wake!
“Bad weather always looks worse through a window.”
Unknown
♥Umbrellas Based solely on the fact that you will be lugging it around with you all day; it is only feasible that you select an umbrella that is an extension of your glittering personality! Dark hues are quite often misconstrued as domineering, angry, and a bit stormy themselves; be the ray of sunshine walking down Park Avenue with something that makes a smile play upon the lips of random passersby. Look for pieces with the potential to keep you dry whilst adding a jazzy touch of cheekiness to your person! Embrace clever shapes mimicked after vintage styles like the Signature Bella Pagoda Umbrella; keep your eyes peeled for playful prints like the Be My Valentine Heart Dome; or stay classy with Burberry’s Automatic Check Umbrella. Be wild and crazy with your selection as a kitschy umbrella can truly take your style over the top!
♥For Your Listening Pleasure I don’t care if it’s raining cats and dogs at this very moment loveys; weather should never stand in the way of you getting your groove on! Thus, a few songs to help you get jiggy with it in true rainy day style!

♥Umbrella - Rihanna
♥I Have Friends in Holy Spaces - Panic At the Disco
♥I’m Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
♥It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond
♥Umbrella - The Postal Service
♥Famous Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen
♥Plainsong - The Cure
♥Rainy Day - Guster
♥When It Rains - Paramore
♥Why Does It Always Rain on Me? - Travis
“Rainbows apologize for angry skies.”
Sylvia Voirol


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to We ♥ It, Shopbop, Tumblr, and Nordstrom for the pictures.


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