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Shower Power
By Janet Bennett
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2000
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The lady in red is cool and dry in Anni Kuan coat from Betsy Fisher.
LaJuan Payton/washingtonpost.com
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Daffodils are popping out their cheerful yellow heads, cherry blossoms are pretty in pink. Spring is in the air, right? But all our ideas about the vernal equinox to the contrary, traditionally (forget about global warming for now), spring is filled with wet days. "April showers bring May flowers" and all that. Last year, according to NOAA, the Washington area got 2.09 inches of rain in April, but it rained 16 out of the month's 30 days; in 1998, we got almost four inches of precipitation over the course of 12 rainy days. Furthermore, according to the National Weather Service, May and June in Washington also get their fair share of raindrops. Keeping all that in mind, we have come up with some weather-appropriate wardrobe suggestions for the rainy season.
These boots are made for sloshing.
Styling courtesy of Betsy Fisher, photo by LaJuan Payton/washingtonpost.com
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MoMA's Cloud umbrella ($55), with its wooden shaft and handle, is sturdy enough to withstand a throttling from high winds; plus its 40-inch span ensures that you stay dry. The double-nylon material is a sobering black on the outside, but fluffy, whimsical clouds dot an azure sky on the inside, making it difficult for even a torrential downpour to dampen your spirits when you carry this peerless parasol. Raindrops won't keep falling on your head; they'll bead up on Pleasant Pheasant's cranberry red and black cloche ($48) with Prada-esque toggle, saving you from that drowned-cat look. Unlike most hats that have any style, this one's crushable and can fit into the smallest corner of your suitcase. Both brolly and hat are fittingly available from the Proper Topper.
Nothing beats a classic double-breasted trench coat in our opinion; but much more in favor this season is the single-breasted, body-slimming and skimming (almost body-skimping, in fact) silhouette. But eschew black or beige for something much punchier, such as Anni Kuan's red-and-pink-flowered printed laminate coat (polyester and polyurethane) with velcro closures. Now this is a fashion statement. And it still poses the alluring question of what the wearer could possibly have on underneath. The $458 price tag may mean you can't afford much else, so just don't go too near a lighted cigarette. Find it at Betsy Fisher.
Could there be anything cuter for keeping the little feet in your household dry than a pair of Wellies with a frog face? Toddlers may actually want to keep them on. Designed for ages 18 months to 6 years, they're available at the Kids Closet for $26. For bigger feet, we say go for unisex black Wellies with red trim on top and bottom ($14.97). They're a step up in style from the standard green and just as good protection for days when you need to seriously slosh around in wet weather. They can be found at Wal-Mart in Sterling.
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