MANILA, Philippines - July rolls in and with it comes a couple of weather woes — both of which are tied to the tropical tendency to be atmospherically neither here nor there. One is an issue of function: Am I dressing for the rain or dressing for the cold? And the other is an issue of flexibility: Will I be able to feel comfortable in this once it stops raining?
The forecast may be fickle, but your outfits don’t have to be. Here at Young Star, we know it’s tough enough to yank yourselves out of the bed in this weather; so to ease the burden of your climate conditioning, here are a few closet remedies:
Consider your alternatives. This weather may cater well to your good ‘ol parka or raincoat, but short-sleeved cardigans, blazers, baseball jackets (especially when they come with a nylon finish) and even a simple jumper will deliver just as well.
Rain boots may be tempting, too — but heavy-duty brogues promise sartorial and manufactured strength.
Befriend the layers. Some just go for the generic jacket-over-whatever-I-already-have-on combo, but proper layering gives us a chance to whip up new proportions for our shape. Consider this: cable-knits over sheer button-downs, or even a boyfriend’s shirt under a baseball jacket. Whether it’s slouch over slouch or tailored over tailored, seize the day. Really. It might just last for a day.
Don’t look too far. While the rainy season is often a great excuse to shop for “fall/winter” wear, you don’t have to search far and wide to get your shower-friendly sampling of outfits. Your closet’s more likely to present abundant options for you — just get creative with it.
Oh, and don’t forget your umbrella.