January 2011
The transition from winter to spring is the most frustrating
time of year in fashion. Flirty dresses and strappy sandals
taunt us from shop windows, while we look on shivering in the
seemingly endless cold, grey, wet days. For a long time, designers
ignored the elements and believed their customers all lived in a
sunny imaginary land. What's a girl to do- drape ourselves in
shapeless raincoats and thick rain boots, appropriate only for
fishermen?
Designers are finally taking heed, and have added rainwear to
their collections. Jimmy Choo and Hunter joined forces and
created luxe crocodile-print Wellingtons. Givenchy offered an
equestrian-styled rain boot, cleverly and stylishly masking its
utilitarian attributes. Burberry is a brand built on braving the
elements in style. At the menswear show in Milan mid-January,
designer Christopher Bailey sent out the models in a full-on
catwalk rainstorm. The Burberry trench is timeless and
elegant, and can be worn with anything from a suit to jeans to the
little black dress. The trench has been worn by fashion icons like
Kate Moss, Jackie Onassis and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at
Tiffany's.
We'll no longer dread grey, rainy days- put on a trench coat,
turn up the collar, slip on a pair of wellies and grab an
umbrella. We'll all feel like Gene Kelly in Singin' In
the Rain- what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again…
