On a dark rainy day, it’s hard enough to get motivated to walk the dog, so the last thing we home-based entrepreneurs want to do is slip into a suit and heels. But when business calls, your inner entrepreneur needs to weather any storm with chic rain-friendly looks that ooze sophistication and poise.Below, a few must-have items to arrive to any business occasion looking like you mysteriously escaped the storm.
A Belted Trench
There’s nothing like tightening the belt on a refined camel or black belted trench coat to cheer you up on a drab rainy day. Stick to a longer length coat that falls no shorter than above the knee to make sure your suits stay dry. I have a fabulous metallic gold Burberry trench, but I walk a bit on the wild side. Just remember, if you invest in a classic, well-tailored piece as the foundation of your outfit, you can mix and match for years to come and always maintain a look of professionalism.
Bold Print Umbrella
Here’s where you can get playful and let your personality shine through. Pick bright fuchsias, yellows and blues or go for lush floral prints or a fun, whimsical pattern. Just make sure you pick a good quality umbrella that is wind-resistant. I carry this hot pink number in my boutique, and you can too!
Waterproof Bag and Briefcase
It’s happened way too many times that an important document gets soggy or ink smears because I wasn’t prepared for a rainy-day meeting. It’s good to have a bag or case you can pull out in rainy weather and no, it doesn’t have to be hideous. Valentino makes a beautiful water-resistant tote bag that could knock many of today’s trendiest satchels out of the park. If that breaks the bank there are many budget-friendly options at stores like Target.
Sleek Rain Boots
As much as I love a cute pair of galoshes, they’re not exactly appropriate for a business meeting (unless you plan on doing a quick shoe swap in your car, then I say go for it!). Believe it or not, stylish rain boots DO exist. Check out the Marc Jacobs Moto rain boots in black — not bad if paired with tights and a cute skirt. If you’d rather not, then you could always pull on your favorite knee-high boots. Just be sure you spray them with a water repellent for leather product, so they don’t get ruined in the rain.
Frizz Control Hair Products
I’m sure you don’t need any convincing that this one is a rainy day must-have! There are a ton of products to choose from, but here are a few favorites among the beauty experts: Frizz Ease, Bumble and Bumble DeFRIZZ, and Frederic Fekkai Coiff Perfecteur.
© 2010 Ali International, LLC
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