Stay Fashionable In The Rain

Hopping around in wet hair, muddy shoes and drenched clothes can put a damper on what should be a normally bright day. Though weather can stall your style, especially in this clime where normal clothes are in fashion all-year-long, there are tips for getting that simple, smart rainy day look.

Keep it sturdy in dark colours
At this time of the year, wearing white shoes and/or light coloured outfits may not be the best idea. To stay clean all day, pair darker colours at the bottom with shirts or dresses. Go for black, brown, navy blue and colours like these; they will show little signs of damp, mud or debris. Long-sleeved outfits and lightweight sweaters in quick-to-dry materials should also be a frequent choice, especially when living in a city like Lagos where the rain can start at any time.

Embrace Synthetics
We’re huge proponents of natural, breathable fabrics around here mostly because weather here is usually warm. But when it comes to rainy season, ensure you keep your leather, cotton, silk, linen and wool inside. Unless they are layered safely under sweaters or a jacket or covered with nylon, you just might be exposing them to permanent damage.

If you love leggings, try switching from a cotton pair to pair made from lycra or nylon. Your active-wear leggings, which are fast-drying, opaque, comfortable, are perfect in inclement weather as well as denim, which is very good for this kind of weather. Pair the leggings under a dress instead of tights. If you usually wear wool trousers, try ponte or a blend of polyester and rayon instead. These materials tend to be lightweight, so they won’t weigh you down if they get damp.

Stay dry
Ever been walking in the rain and seen car splatter water on everyone using the sidewalk? Upsetting right? Exactly. While the umbrella can fend some of the rain away, it can’t cover everything. So, try a rain coat/jacket for full body protection. Since classic trench coats are not popular here in Nigeria, a trendy mid-thigh raincoat will shield the body just fine.

Wear comfortable shoes
It helps to stick to covered shoe-styles that are short and sleek to keep the feet out of puddles and dry. Also, there are beautiful rubber shoes that are stylish and functional.

Don’t Forget The Extras
If well selected, accessories can be a lifesaver on a wet day. Trade in soft leather handbags for an all-weather nylon-based bag. Invest in an umbrella and tone down the number of metal jewellery to prevent them from rusting. A small umbrella, as well as raincoat and cap that can fit in your bag, would save you from getting wet and dirty.

A guide to dressing in the rain wouldn’t be complete with mentioning your hair. You always want to protect your hair and weave without worrying about frizz. This is where a shower cap comes in. Always have one in your bag, just in case it starts to pour. On the other hand, you can keep a plastic poncho in your bag for emergencies. They fold up to the size of a wallet and you can get them for less than N300.