Winter might be officially over but I have some news that may surprise you: spring is one of the wettest seasons, at least along the east coast of Australia.
Bright and dry … Caroline Daur at New York Fashion Week.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne sees an average of 66 millimetres of rain in October, while Sydney's wettest spring month is November, with an average 84 millimetres of sprinkle. (Overall, Sydney has about double the average rainfall of Melbourne for the year, so if you live there, pay extra close attention to what I am about to say.)
In the past, staying dry has often been anathema to looking good (emergency plastic poncho, anyone?). But thanks to some clever brands and trends on the runway, this spring could be your driest, and most chic, yet.
As followers of this column would know, I was fortunate enough to attend New York Fashion Week, where it proceeded to bake on day one but then rained or drizzled persistently, almost to London-like proportions, for the duration.
With only one jacket in my luggage, I was forced to suck it up and get around with an umbrella that an online retailer mercifully included in its merch bag.
For those who were better prepared (that is, lived in New York or it wasn't their first rodeo), there was a trend towards clear overcoats and umbrellas – because why spend thousands on your outfit only to cover it up for the dash from car to runway, and past the photographers?
On the runways, cute raincoats popped up everywhere. At Marc Jacobs, Kaia Gerber wore one in daffodil yellow, while at Kate Spade, there were translucent styles in hot pink and liberty print florals.
Stand out from the clouds … Kaia Gerber at Marc Jacobs’ show at New York Fashion Week.
But here's the thing: clear rain stuff often means plastic, which raises its own issues. Still, the good news is that if you search, you can find more sustainable options out there. Brands such as Patagonia and Everlane are no-brainers, and there are more fashion-forward labels waking up to the need to be rain-proof and better for the environment.
Insane in the Rain is one brand I stumbled upon that is making funky rainwear from RPET, the material used to produce single-use plastic drink bottles. Prices are about $170, which isn't cheap, but a good raincoat shouldn't be a trend item. Best of all, they ship to Australia for a reasonable price.
Locally, one of Gorman's signature styles is the printed raincoat, which you can pick up for $99, or even less in one of its legendary sales. And if you're more of a minimalist, Rains is the brand for you. The Danish company launched in 2012 and has developed a cult following across Europe, with its fame spreading to Australia thanks to the cycling set, and now more widely.
And of course, no discussion about wet-weather gear would be complete without considering footwear. While plenty of women around New York were getting about in gumboots with carefree comfort, it takes a little confidence to let the rubber hit the road, so to speak. Try a Hunter ankle boot in a bright colour to make a statement, or, if you want to keep wearing your white sneakers through a spring shower, here's my hot tip: carry a mini magic brick in your bag (you can pick them up at the supermarket) to quickly remove any mud spots.
Get the look
ASOS, $63
Marimekko, $70
Hunter via Shopbop.com, $131
Ganni at MyTheresa, $435
CAB Collection at Shopbop.com, $117
Stockists
Shopbop.com: shopbop.com
Marimekko: marimekko.com
MyTheresa: mytheresa.com
ASOS: asos.com
Source: Read Full Article