subject: Trendy Clothing And Accessories To Face The Great Outdoors [print this page] When you are looking for a great outdoor outfit, it can be difficult to strike the right balance especially if it is a formal occasion and you need to look your best whilst also preparing for any meteorological contingencies. This is even worse during summer, when the notoriously capricious weather can change from sunny to soaking within the space of a few minutes. Getting glammed up only to find that you return looking like a drowned rat is certainly not ideal, so how can you look your best whilst preparing for the worst?
The first step is to plan any outfit around a range of warmer accessories that can be thrown on at a moments notice to give a greater degree of protection from the elements. Layering is very much the key to preparing for colder weather, so try to find a dress that will work with items such as shawls, stoles, or cardigans. These are particularly useful as they allow you to get some much needed warmth if the weather takes a turn for the worse and are light and easy to carry around. A scarf is another great accessory to have in reserve and can be used when you want a little extra warmth, but do not want to resort to a heavier garment.
However, if the weather really turns nasty, you need to be prepared, so it is always a good idea to have a really warm and elegant overcoat nestling securely in the cloakroom. A good overcoat should be long enough to cover your dress and smart enough to perfectly complement it. Black is probably the best colour to go for as it goes with anything and can even be augmented with the addition of a well-placed brooch.
Of course, an umbrella is essential and although a large golf style one will offer the best protection, you might not fancy carting it around with you. If you have a date to the event, then you can always pass the buck and get your man to carry it. However, it is always a good idea in any case to carry a smaller, collapsible and light umbrella in case you need to get under cover in the event of a flash shower.
Shoes are always going to be a difficult thing to prepare for as there is little you can do if you are caught in the rain. The best advice is to wear something that will not get ruined if they get wet and which will at least offer a modicum of grip on rainy streets. If the weather does look stormy, it is worth keeping a handkerchief in reserve in your bag, as you can then at least dry your feet after the deluge has passed.
