Its that time of the year when the heavens open for hours on end and every time of the day suddenly seems like the perfect time to take a nap.
The rainy season is here again and so begins every commuting Lagosian’s worst nightmare…the flooding, crowded bus-stops and endless traffic are just some of the things we loathe about the rainy season. Plus, as every self-respecting fashionista knows, the rains can really cramp a girl’s style…out goes the funky hairdos and light-coloured clothes that are prone to mud stains and in comes the dark, dreary colours.
While there isn’t much we can do about the rains, we can reassure you that you need not look like a frump on account of it. As always, all it takes is a little preparation and coordination. So, we present to you fashion tips to take you through the rainy season.
Get your braids on: yes we know you’d much rather rock that weave which cost you a small fortune and instantly adds 10 points to your hot-o-metre but let’s face it, weaves aren’t exactly the most practical option for the rains. It instantly loses its bounce when wet and before you know it, you’re right back at the hair-dresser’s hours after you left there..not exactly cost-effective. So save yourself the cost, stress and high blood pressure and embrace your inner Nubian queen with braids..be it Ghana weaving or loose braids. As opposed to weaves, you don’t need to go running to your hair-dresser when it gets wet, all it needs is a little drying out and oiling and its good as new. Plus, braids can be packed in so many different exciting ways.
Suede is a no-no: As smudging is to freshly-manicured nails, so is suede to water. While leather stands some chance of surviving, suede is utterly ruined by water as it seeps into it, leaving it discoloured, dull and matted. So shelve those suede shoes in the months to come.
Jellies are the way to go: rubber foot wear comes in so many exciting forms these days which is great because they’re the best thing for the rainy season. Rubber footwear isn’t just restricted to rubber sandals anymore, now there are flats shoes and even stylish pumps that all made of rubber. So invest in sturdy jellies and save your non-rubber shoes for the dry season.
Show off those legs: ok not quite literarily but with the puddles of water and mud, you want to wear clothes that are as far-reaching from the ground as possible, so out comes the cropped pants, skirts and dresses. Cropped pants are very in right now so get a pair or two and lay low on the full length trousers which are more prone to mud stains because they’re closer to the ground.
Get flirty with scarves: rainy days can be cold so why not steal some warmth from scarves? Chase away the gloom and cold of a rainy day by throwing a bright coloured scarf around your neck for that European uber chic look.
Go patent: every girl (and guy) knows that a lady’s handbag can be quite the treasure chest holding any and everything you can think of. Now you don’t want to have to empty that treasure chest bag to dry things out when its been beaten by the rain. Protect those precious items then by investing in a patent leather bag as they are more resistant to water and just require a wipe when hit by rain as opposed to leather bags which soak in all the water.
Be prepared: of course it goes without saying that all these don’t protect you directly from the rain but merely help make things easier. So, ensure that throughout the rainy season you always have in your bag a small, collapsible umbrella, shower cap and rubber sandals(if need be). This way, you’re not caught unawares and left to scamper like a squirrel for safety when the heavens open. Good luck ladies!
