You know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers?” I’m calling BS—because here on the east coast, it’s been raining literally all year long. And aside for the obvious reason as to why this sucks, I have a confession to make about why it’s giving me added anxiety.
All the way in the back of my closet—behind the pile of clothes that still have tags on them that I promise I’ll wear next year—are the pair of rain boots I’ve had since 8th grade. Yes, seriously.
You know exactly the ones I’m talking about: They have interchangeable sock-liners to match your Pinterest-perfect outfit, go up to your knee, and are so stiff it’s nearly impossible to bend your ankle. They’re terrible for walking, but then again, they could make a great dupe for an ankle cast (I kid… kind of). I can’t count the number of times I’ve tripped down the stairs because I refused to believe the Hunter rain boots I begged my mom to buy me for three years weren’t actually worth the money. You mean to tell me that taking off rainboots shouldn’t cause so much pain that you’ve considered permanently wearing them for the rest of your life?
But now that I’ve upgraded from a flip phone to an iPhone, I’ve come to the quite literal painful realization that it’s probably time to say goodbye to the Hunter boots. And since finding a good pair of rain boots can be harder than getting a reservation at Carbone (IYKYK), I’ve done the hard work for you and found the best ones. And because I’m super-low maintenance, my criteria was that they needed to be cute, comfortable, a neutral color, easy to get on (and off!), could be purchased online, hand-delivered to my front door, and can be exchanged for a full refund, no questions asked. Is that really too much to ask?
Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link and purchase a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content.
Enter: The Steve Madden Women’s Sahara Rain Boot.
They literally hit every box—they’re comfy, cute, black (like the rest of my wardrobe, duh)—and I bought them on Amazon because you know I’m all about the free shipping and returns. They’re short enough that you can wear them during any season and comfy enough to wear on a marathon shopping spree. The best part: The price point is actually super affordable.
I was skeptical at first, but I figured that if I get the chance to buy a new pair of boots while remaining fully horizontal, I don’t really have much to lose. Granted, I don’t know if my husband will be too pleased that I have yet another Amazon shipment on its way, but it’s all in the name of self-care, right? And did I mention they come in three colors? Say no more.
Steve Madden Women’s Sahara Rain Boot
Steve Madden Women’s Sahara Rain Boot, $49.30, Amazon
Background image credit: Photo by Pixabay
Alright ladies, let’s talk about transitioning! And I don’t mean like, moving from one phase of life to the next—like how I somehow missed the memo that we’re all dating and getting engaged now instead of getting blackout Thursday through Sunday. It’s fine, I’m fine. When I’m talking about transitioning, I’m talking about how to dress as we move from winter to spring. It’s that wack-ass time of the year where it can be snowing one day and the summer solstice the next. Sh*t’s tough, talk about first world problems. But, who am I if not your expert consultant on all your first world problems when it comes to fashion? So, let’s dive into the best practices (am I like, Tony Robbins???) for transitional dressing as we move into the spring season.
Dressing For Work…
Oasis blazer with tie detail in red
When it comes to transitional dressing, the key is to layer. I’m telling you this now and you’ll hear me say it again: layer, layer, layer. I know I sound like your Grandma telling you how to dress for the movies, but listen up, cause meemaw was onto something! First off, let’s discuss footwear. The weather is about to be NASTY, like lots of rain and random snow, all conveniently when you least expect it. That being said, you don’t want to wear your best Tory Burch flats on your commute to work, then have soaked gross feet all day. Like, as if your 9-to-5 wasn’t already miserable enough. So, if you have an office or at least your own desk, keep a pair of work-appropriate shoes at work. This way, you can wear your weatherproof shoes to and from work, and then just change once there.
Next, even though it’s going to start getting warmer outside, the likelihood that the office temperature will follow suit is slim to none. You know your good friend Karen from accounting who’s been going through menopause since you first started is going to keep the temperature in the office sub-zero. That being said, wear an office-appropriate top under a cardigan or a knit blazer. This way, you can remove your jacket so you’re not dying on the subway, but also have it with you once you get to the office.
For The Weekend…
When it comes to the weekend, your go-to hero piece is going to be a loose knit sweater. A breathable open knit sweater offers you an additional layer that’s also not suffocating. Depending on the weather, you can wear a cute fitted turtleneck or basic tank under your loose knit sweater. This way, need be, you have that extra layer available. But, considering you shouldn’t actually be freezing, it will provide just the right amount of added comfort and warmth.
Another tip is to wear a cute flannel over a tank or a graphic tee. I know flannels tend to be more “fall” but if you pick a light-colored one then it easily works as a stylish option for spring. Adding a flannel is the perfect solution so you don’t have to worry about carrying around an extra layer with you because it can be conveniently tied around your waist and still look cute af. In fact, your outfit might even become even more cute with it around your waist. Win-win.
For Going Out…
Dressing transitionally for going out is probably the trickiest occasion to dress for because there’s really no way to predict how long the bar lines will be or what the temperature will be like once inside. That being said, you’re always going to want to have a jacket as part of your going out outfit. But, the thing is, you don’t want to depend on the jacket to make your outfit. Hopefully, the bar you’re going to is classy enough to have a coat check, so you can be hands-free to drop it low on the dance floor. A great outfit idea during this time of unpredictable weather is to wear a cute crop top with a sheer long sleeve top layered over it. This way, you’ll have an extra layer over your otherwise bare crop top, but once you’re all hot and bothered by your own killer moves on the dance floor, it’s thin enough to just take off and slip into your handbag.
There you have it, layering 101. No one wants to be freezing cold, but more importantly, no one wants to be sweating like a pig. So don’t put yourself in a bad situation by wearing a chunky turtleneck during this transitional time period. Rather, take a cue from the one and only Jax Taylor and opt for a chunky cardigan over a tank or tee instead.
Images: Tyler Nix / Unsplash; Asos (2); Free People (3); Nordstrom
Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link and purchase a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content.
