Tampabay.com
JULY 07, 2010

Rain, rain go ... the way of fashion

Libertyoflondonfortarget This week's weather forecast promises no end to cloudy skies. But a rainy day is no reason to get the fashion blues. With a few wardrobe updates, you'll be splashing through the puddles in style!

Wellies: If you hail from snowlandia, you know the love at first sight that is a rubber boot guaranteed to keep your feet dry. Once the ugly duck of footwear, rain boots have seen a happy makeover. For a dreary day pick-up, check out the pink poppy print in the Liberty of London for Target collection, left, $29.99.

Umbrellas: Let's hope you don't need me to tell you to buy an umbrella. But this little black dress of rain protection doesn't have to be utilitarian. Make a fashion statement with the Rothko inspired umbrella by Crate&Barrel, right, $24.99. For an unexpected source of cheap, cute umbrellas, check out the travel section at Ikea, the Swedish furniture store. But they're not always in stock, so don't make a special trip.

Crate&barrel City slicker: While a gust of wind can undo all the protection of your umbrella, traditional raincoats tend to be too heavy for Florida summers. Thankfully, J. Crew has come to our rescue with a lightweight, hooded cotton slicker. Sure, it's a pricey buy at $128, but you'll never stand accused of imitating the poncho scene in the Ugly Betty opener.

Did I leave anything out? What else do you need to stay stylish come rain or shine?

Deal Diva Letitia

(Photos: Target, Crate&Barrel)

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Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

Emily Nipps As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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