Chic rain solutions

NICOLE MOLETSANE | Friday January 22, 2010 00:00

The stampede is not good news for the fashion conscious Gaborone urbanista. Rain is an enemy of shoes. Summer sandals shrivel in the rain and leather is never the same after being plunged into the many puddles that customise our roads and sidewalks. Journeys to work often take an hour extra in the rain and the dripping umbrellas are an unwelcome delight on public transport. The lucky few who have cars escape all this but there is hope for the rest.

Banish images of trembling in the rain at the bus stop when mother nature decides to dump buckets of rain on this dry land of ours. 2010 is a year of reinvention so take a look at our picks to make it through the rainy season.

The Classics
The Wellington Boot or Wellies as they commonly known is the original rain boot. Used all over the world, these are a first choice for the rain. According to the historians,'It was worn and popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. The noble 'Wellington' boot then became a fashionable style emulated by the British aristocracy in the early 19th century. The boot thus became known, in British English, by its proponent:

Wellington'. These days the boots are available in different colours and designs to suit all tastes. The rising popularity means more options to parade personal style. If you would rather die than wear non designer gear then do not be troubled, even the big names have jumped onto the rainboot wagon. So when the showers strike, preserve your soles in a chic pair of rain boots and avoid the shoe disasters.

Shuellas
For the high heel devotees an invention to keep you looking glam through the rain has been invented just for you. Shuellas - umbrellas for your shoes. These are the perfect option.It is a wonderful invention to arrive at the office clean and in style. These amazing ingenuities slide over your high heels. They come in a plastic pouch that easily transforms into a clutch. They can even be fitted for pointed shoes. Shuellas are available in all colours to match. The less flashy urbanista can feel more comfortable in the black version.

Rain Ponchos
These are available in different colours and designs. Gone are the days of oversized ponchos thanks to modern fashion designers.2010 brings ponchos with hoods and figure belts. They are made to fit into small handbags and are ideal for staying dry in style.

Umbrellas
The umbrella has evolved into a fashionable item over the years. Ranging from the pocket sized to the long and expressive. It has evolved with time and stood proudly in the queue of items we cannot live without. We all use umbrellas.

They provide protection from the sun and the rain. Every girl needs a fashionable yet functional umbrella. If style is your middle name you could purchase different colours to match your outfit.

Looking trendy in the rain used to be impossible. With these novelties in the market the Gaborone Urbanista can arrive looking fabulous through the rain or whatever mother nature decides. If you are looking for a fashionable assistance from a rain poncho or complete full body rain gear in an effort to arrive dry, these items are now attainable at department stores, catalogs and the internet. Don't let this year's rainy season dampen your style.