From sun to storm
- kaitlyntarakji6
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
How to dress for Rainesville 101
By: Kaitlyn Tarakji
It’s April in Gainesville: that time of year when you leave your apartment and aren’t sure if you'll come back drenched in sweat or rain. Are you sick of trudging around campus with hoodies shoved away into explosively overstuffed backpacks or UGGs inconveniently painted with splattered raindrops?
Save the stress for an upcoming exam—Rowdy’s got you covered. Here are four ways to ensure you’re always fashionably Gainesville weather-ready (hint: none of them include your sorority’s anorak).
Layer Up
Whether you're soaking in sweat stains or rain water, neither is ideal. Now, I despise layering under a hoodie as much as the next person, but when the weather changes from 40 degrees before your 8:30 a.m. block to 85 degrees by your 10:40 a.m. block, it's essential.
Baby tees and tanks are light, breathable, and the perfect solution to the texture nightmare of layering. And when it starts to heat up? Don’t sweat it. Layering ensures you remain warm when you need to, but stay stylish when the jackets come off. These tiny tops can be easily thrifted, but if you’re looking elsewhere, Brandy Melville, Garage, and In Print We Trust have good quality and minimalistic tops that scream put-together even when you’re a little soggy.
Pack light
When layering, it is important to keep in mind the pieces you are using. Light-weight windbreakers and thinly knit cardigans can be easily folded and stuffed between the cluster of laptops and notebooks in a backpack.
Versatile pieces like neutral tones and simple patterns are important to keep in mind so your pre-packed jacket can match your outfit during any cloudy crisis.
Umbrellas, but make it fashion
What’s even more embarrassing than holding an umbrella? Walking around campus leaving a trail of puddles and turning heads as your shoes squeak with every step. In other words, just bring the umbrella; it’s your first line of defense against the rain. Fashion is about the details, so we can’t neglect even the bulkiest of accessories. Whether it’s one with bold patterns, sleek black, or white ruffles, anything works to keep you looking cute and most importantly, rain-free. Even match it to your shoes and bags if you’re feeling a little extra.
Accessorize
Being drenched in rain water is not exactly the clean girl look we’re going for, so accessories like claw clips and ruffled socks are an essential part of rainy day-gear. Your freshly straightened hair stays frizz free and dry while cute pleats peek out the top of boots and keep you warm for a hike across campus. If you’re looking to stay extra dry, platform shoes and boots are an elevated essential for a soggy-free walk. The extra height stops puddles from seeping into socks and keeps the hem of saggy Brandy sweats mud-free.
Rain or shine, these tips keep you effortlessly styled and adaptable. When the clouds start rolling in, don’t panic: spontaneous storms are no match for platform shoes and claw-clipped hair. Grab that umbrella and strut through Turlington because Rainesville just became a runway.
Kaitlyn Tarakji is an online writer for Rowdy Magazine. She’s known for never using an umbrella: maybe she should take her own advice.
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