I really love the rain.

Wait… let me rephrase that. I really love the rain when I can stay inside all day, watch bad TV and eat. In case you didn’t know, calories don’t count on rainy days.

On Wednesday, I ventured out into Manhattan to help a friend out with work. It was pouring and of course I didn’t dress accordingly. But I did bring my umbrella. You would think that would be enough, right? Wrong.

I always feel so bad for those people whose umbrellas blow themselves inside out or they snap and break right in the middle of a torrential downpour. On Wednesday, I was that person I usually pity. So while I had to grit my teeth and bear the embarrassment, I thought it would be funny to shed light on the best of the worst umbrella fails. ‘Cause who doesn’t like to make themselves feel better by making fun of other people?

I just wish I had a towel for each of them.

They say April showers bring May flowers – so while we’re waiting for those flowers to bloom and for summer to mosey its long lazy days our way, why not have some rainy springtime fun? I know it sucks when it rains and you have to trek across campus with fingers crossed that your hair won’t frizz, but with these latest styles, at least you can put a little spring in your step.

Umbrella(ella ella)s:
First and foremost, umbrellas are a necessity in the rain. They may seem like a hassle to carry around, but with different styles ranging from purse size to Mary-Poppin’s-sized umbrellas, there is no need to get wet.

Looking for something standard? Try Raindrops for all your practical umbrella needs – this website even has umbrella’s for animals! Need something compact? Try Fred Flare’s adorable Rain Parade Mini Umbrellas. Into something a little more sophisticated and sleek? Umbrella’s & Beyond has an assortment of “Leighton” style umbrellas featuring classic colors such as Tiffany blue and a beautiful green Kyoto, as seen below.

Raincoats:
Want to stay extra dry? Get a raincoat. Trench coats are the usual go-to coat when it comes to rain, but they can look dowdy. Good news! Newer styles are getting rid of the length while keeping the coverage.

Check out Nordstrom’s Short Trench Coat for this less bulky look. If you don’t mind a little extra length to help protect from the rain, go for the Michael Kors Notched Collar Trench, which comes in four colors: black, British khaki, palm (a green), and red. Nothing says spring and summer like this palm colored coat:

Want something a little cheaper for the season? The Gap currently has spring appropriate pastel colored trenches on sale, which can be tied off with the jacket’s own belt or a ribbon for some added fabulosity.

Rain boots:
My favorite rainy day accessory always ends up being my rain boots. Whether they come from Target (who can beat Target’s $24 rain boots that come in a slew of colors, patterns, and types?) or JCrew, these boots serve the purpose of keeping your pants away from the water and your feet dry. These rain boots, also known as Wellies, can change any drab rainy day into something fun. Especially considering all those puddles you can jump into without getting soggy socks.

Want a unique pair of Wellies to reflect your personal styyyyle? Definitely check out Wellie Art; they have boots ranging from pink polka dots to white stars, giving your rainy day an immediate boost.

All this rainy day style finally makes me want to go singin’ in the rain.
And staying try, to boot.

Let’s be honest: anyone can pop on a necklace, carry around a $500 hobo bag, and call it a day. To be a true pioneer of style, you should learn to strut your stuff in truly unique ways that no one will copy.

Regarding bags, why not go for one that is actually supposed to carry stuff rather than just look good? True, you can stuff an awful lot of crap into a hobo bag, but laptop bags are a great way to rock some style while keeping your computer safe. And if you’re going to walk all over town or lug your textbooks to class, you can customize a backpack for a really cool and personal look.

And have you ever thought about a beautiful umbrella? They say the greatest inventions are marriages of function and design—and if that’s true, an eye-catching umbrella is the equivalent of a couple that’s been happily married for at least 50 years.

As long as you’re out and about, why not pimp out your ride? No, I’m not talking about your car—gas prices are through the roof, and one great way to save is by buying a bike you love and adding personal touches until you love it even more. You don’t have to go as all out as this guy did, but just a little bit of style is never a bad thing.

Finally, remember when you were in third grade and you doodled on all of your notebooks? Well, now is the time to do the same thing, only in a more refined way. With the pennies it costs to buy a few craft supplies, you can really make a statement and be unique by personalizing your school (or work) stuff.

What are your best tips for accessorizing unusual things?

[Image courtesy of flickr.com.]

I remember the first time the heard “Umbrella”. I thought I might like it. Then I heard it again.

And again…and again.

Except, I was so late to jump on the Rihanna train that when I told people I had never heard the song back in June, I got more confused stares than I’m sure this next little tidbit of information will garner:

Rihanna has her own line of umbrellas. Because she has a song called “Umbrella”.

She will also probably get very rich off of all this.

Ranging in price from a reasonable $14.99 (on sale!) to a nauseating $50.00 (very much not on sale), these things aren’t even interesting! One has her name on it…another has a pink strip around the bottom. Which is cool, I guess.

Most of them remind me of the umbrellas you find in the back of the hall closet before you run out the door in the morning.

So, are people going to fork over their hard-earned cash for a piece of pop culture history? Yes, I am sure of it. Rihanna’s um-bra-ellas are set to rake in some serious dough for the singer and, you know what? More power to her.

I’m thinking she deserves to make some money off of people who buy umbrellas because they like, totally love that song that talks about umbrellas!

For the rest of us, I’m thinking I’ll splurge on that $3 piece of crap you can buy off the guys on the corner once the downpour starts.

Maybe Rihanna should sing a song about those.