Even if the weather only occasionally cooperates, the brilliant shades of this spring's trends in rainwear make up for it. Somehow, dodging raindrops on a dreary, damp day seems more doable while sporting a perky pink trench coat and a matching pair of Wellies, the contemporary equivalent of the British-inspired Wellington boots. In fact, the high-top rubber footwear is the key "must-have" item for spring, according to local fashion experts. "They're very popular right now, especially with characters on them," says Rocco Procida, general manager for Littles Super Shoe Store in Squirrel Hill. Top sellers from Western Chief Co. include Wellies ($29) in black and red ladybug designs and black, white and pink cow prints, he says. Kaufmann's/Filene's stocks rubberized rain boots called Puddles ($39.99) from Penny Loves Kenny that are popular for spring/summer, says vice president/fashion director Robert Rutkauskus. Another trendy way to keep feet dry going into summer is with new short rubber clogs ($45) by Jeffrey Campbell in black and white stripes or pink floral prints. The fun footwear is due in Littles "any second," Procida says. Fun boots will continue to attract attention into fall, says Procida, with female college students and fashion-forward women the target audience. Another variation in fancy footwear available at www.let-it-rain.com, an Astoria, Ore.-based "purveyor of precipitation pleasures," according to its Web site, is women's garden boots ($50). Co-owner Barbara Glick says the rubberized boots in Tropicana and Jacaranda designs have been selling quite well for spring. Also a big hit in rainwear accessories, she says, are adult bubble umbrellas ($25), available with a clear canopy and a variety of border patterns, including Camel Thomson and Royal Stewart tartan plaids. The umbrellas have a 16-inch-deep "bubble" that fits down around a person to keep her hair and upper body extra dry. As for raincoats, the season is "definitely about color, and pink is No. 1," Rutkauskus says. Trench coats are one of the major ideas, but not in the traditional neutral shades that have become a staple in men's and women's wardrobes. Rutkauskus says khaki and black take a back seat to pink, cherry red and green in the trenches, which are not restricted to rainy-day wear. "We're finding that color is selling better than the classic natural," he says. At Saks Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, general manager Larry Bruce echoes the sentiments for hot pink rain gear for spring and says that Burberry is "the hottest vendor by far." The classic British outerwear manufacturer gets a makeover in color and styling, ranging from a double-breasted classic belted trench ($695) enlivened for spring in pastel shades of seafoam (light blue), pink and yellow, to a shorter version ($495) of the water-repellent outerwear with a snap front, shoulder flap and cuffed pockets, available in white or pink. For guys, Burberry's hooded Anorak jacket ($495) offers the traditional plaid collar, storm flap detail and interior drawstring waist with outside ties in beige or a lively red. From Polo by Ralph Lauren (www.polo.com) for men is a short tailored walking coat ($165) made of a water-resistant cotton blend, brushed for a suede-like feel in classic khaki. The designer's Lauren trench coat for women ($239) in water-resistant cotton poplin features a stylish black-and-white polka-dot print. Brooks Brothers gives men the option of two shades -- navy or orange -- in its nautical-styled Regatta jacket ($198), in a lightweight water-resistant cotton/nylon blend. At Talbots, spokeswoman Betsy Thompson says that, in addition to colorful trench coats and sleek walkers that "prove that every cloud does have a silver lining, white trenches (for women) have been particularly strong -- a badge of bravery on a rain day but always sharp." A new, shorter trench coat in a flattering slim fit and an updated Macintosh jacket with delicate details such as a belted collar and flower-print lining are paired well with a mini hobo or messenger trench bag at Gap. These "go anywhere" bags have brightly colored enamel snaps, oversized antique brass hardware and flower-print linings. Linda Bucci at Ruth Young in Shadyside says the shorter trenches with hemlines falling above the knee were so popular for April showers in Kelly green, yellow, oyster and black, that "they're all gone" from her store racks. Now if only we could say the same thing about the rainy weather. Tips to save for a rainy day New York fashion consultant Judy Gordon, who tracks style trends on her Web site, TheTrendReport.com , offers suggestions for keeping dry -- and surviving those occasions when you're caught in an unexpected downpour: Always keep a spare umbrella and a packable raincoat in your car or office. Let your wet raincoat air-dry naturally on a coat hanger before putting it away. Treat all of your shoes periodically with a water-repellent spray that is non-silicone based. Available at your local shoe cobbler or leather store, this treatment will greatly improve the chances of your shoes still looking good, should you happen to get caught in the rain. When leather shoes do get wet, let them air-dry naturally away from any heat source. Once dry, leather can be treated with a conditioner to restore flexibility. Always read the care instructions -- and follow them. If the coat is dry-cleanable, always do so before storing.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---