After I walked ten miserable blocks in a rainstorm earlier this month, stupidly sporting my mesh Puma sneakers and a wool coat, I decided to look into some raingear to help me survive the wettest month of the year.
It used to be that raingear was something you stopped wearing around the same time your mom stopped packing your lunch in a plastic lunchbox. In high school, I wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of rubber boots no matter how bad the weather. Of course, until recently rain boots were reserved for sixty-year-old women and five-year-olds. Fortunately for puddle jumpers, rain gear is now functionally fashionable enough to wear even when it's not raining.
Rubber Boots:
Wear them over jeans or with a miniskirt and tights for waterproof comfort. For those who love a monochromatic look, I suggest a pair of rain boots in basic black (
www.nordstrom.com). If you prefer a brighter style, these floral stompers are a perfect choice (
www.shoes.com). And for those modern day go-go girls, I love these 60's throwbacks (
www.zappos.com).
Raincoats:
Good news, ladies! Raincoats are no longer those sweatboxes of our youth. This lightweight water proof jacket has an attached hood for complete coverage (
www.gap.com). For something a little more conservative, check out this lightweight Mackintosh (
www.jcrew.com).
Rain Hats:
After suffering through a forty minute train ride with dripping wet hair, I cursed myself for not throwing a hat in my backpack. These hats are bright, washable, and will last you through the summer. Choose from solid (
www.oldnavy.com) or lively prints (
www.jcrew.com).
Remember, those umbrellas they sell in the subway for two dollars are cheap for a reason, so be prepared for anything and everything this month.
You've got your plane ticket, hotel reservation and three kinds of sunscreen. You've loaded up your iPod with beach tunes and have even tossed a copy of
Ethan Frome into your bag (in case you feel motivated to study for your American Lit class in between frat boy belly flop contests and Beyoncé booty shakin' competitions). Everything seems to be well accounted for. So why the heck can't you figure out what to pack?
After two Spring Breaks, two sunny bachelorette weekends and a "Girls Only" cruise, I'm prepared to shed some light on the art of effective packing.
1. Beads - Take it from someone who learned the hard way: Panama City is no place for good jewelry. After spending your hard earned money on your trip, the last way you want to spend your time is desperately searching for the ring your mom gave you on your sweet sixteen. But if you're like me and feel naked without a touch of sparkle, beads are a safe and inexpensive way to spruce up your spring break look. Choose from the Greg Brady pookas (
www.pacsun.com) or the Olsen Twins' long strands (
www.delias.com).
2. Flops - Flip Flops are essential Spring Break footwear. Besides being lightweight and taking up very little space in a suitcase, they are generally inexpensive and are available in endless styles and colors. I love these elastic wedge flops (
www.jcrew.com) from J Crew since they won't give your winter feet first time flop blisters even if your spring break itinerary involves a lot of walking. The kitten heel flops (
www.victoriassecret.com) are perfect if you need to add a little sophistication to your outfit. For a great beach shoe, I highly recommend the terry cloth flops (
www.sketchers.com), which are so comfortable you'll almost forget how much you miss your Uggs.
3. Bathing Suit - The days of buying our bikinis in a set are long gone. Instead of squeezing our medium-sized bottoms into a small just so the top would fit properly, we now have the luxury of mix-and-match swimwear. These bottoms (
www.oldnavy.com) can be paired with anything from a tank top (if you're not quite ready to expose your stomach), to this green swim cami top (
www.jcrew.com). For more mix-and-match options, I love Delia's (
www.delias.com), which allows you to customize your own swimsuit.
4. Jean Skirt - A jean skirt is the perfect wardrobe accessory. Not only can you wear it year round, you can match it with just about anything. Whether you choose long or short, faded or acid washed, a jean skirt never goes out of style and will rarely be inappropriate in a dress code situation. Pair this ruffled jean skirt (
www.oldnavy.com) with a lacy tank and kitten heel flops for the perfect going out ensemble. Match this faded denim mini (
www.luckybrandjeans.com) with a bikini top and pooka beads and you're all set for a pool party. And the best part of all is that when you return to the icy cold after a week of 85 degree weather, you can match your new jean skirt with thick pair of wool tights and a turtleneck sweater.
5. Tanks - When packing Spring Break shirts you must ask yourself, "Do I really want to be one of those girls in a tube top the size of a postage stamp?" The answer is
no. Small does not equal sexy, even in Cancun, home of "Girls Gone Wild Part 19." If you want to look sexy and still keep some dignity, I recommend tanks. Not only do they go with anything from capris to your new denim skirt, but they're sassy without being a spring break stereotype. My favorite tank this year is the black zodiac tank (
www.luckybrandjeans.com) available in all 12 signs. For something with a more feminine edge, I like this lace cami tank (
www.abercrombie.com) which is not nearly as scarily thin as it appears in this photo.
Have a safe and happy spring break and remember two things: blue drinks are never a good idea and when it comes to Spring Break fashion, basics are always best. Pack well!
When not writing for SparkLife, Miss P. is a color assistant at Eva Scrivo Salon in New York City. Her love for fashion and beauty started at the tender age of five, when she gave the neighborhood kids haircuts—she continues to this day to cover the neighborhood kids' grays. Miss P. firmly believes young people are the innovators of most great fashion.
on 4/13/05 12:59 PM 
