We are in the rainy season, as the new month, July, is here. Everyone is anxiously waiting and preparing for the period when the rains will fall all day long. One notable feature about this season is the change in peoples’ dress code.

Speaking on what is available for the season, Mrs Tumuni Ifiemi, a taxi driver said women should be getting set to put away their long some time ankle length skirts and dresses as these do not favour the season.

According to her, being caught in the rain will constrain the women to fold her dress with one hand while carrying her umbrella. Besides,  poodles and mud are common to see a car splash water on people.

If the person had gone out dressed up in a long outfit, she may not look very neat and decent, she stressed.

Ms Abie Hart, a caterer, also agrees that the dress code has altered, she contented that the season favours knee length skirts and dresses.

She explained that as the rains are bound to expose women to dirts, make them walk clumsily as they dodge bad spots on the road. She believes this can only be achieved with knee length clothes.

They definitely add a touch of smartness even to the most clumsy looking person. Apart from the length of the dress, the colour is very very important. Bright plain colours such as white, yellow, turquoise, lemon etc cannot be comfortably won during this season especially when used as skirts or dresses that reach the knee. This is because dirts are more likely to stand out in them and create an awful picture.

However, they can do well as tops could be blouse or jacket to brighten up the rather dull look that usually accompanies the rain.

For clothes that reach the knee, it is advisable that they come in dark colours as they are easier to manage. “With a wet handkerchief, one can easily wipe out mud from the dress. And the result can be possible.

Mrs Mercy Minimah, a business woman, maintained that there is still time to co-ordinate one’s rain wardrobe noting that it is necessary so that one cannot be tempted to ruin the sunny colours.

The dress being knee length favours the use of jacket and blazers to ward-off the cold. Every career woman needs to have a couple of this so that she does not get caught in flimsy see through fabrics.

All the same, a person that cannot do away with transparent fabrics can use them as camisole. That way, the taste buds would have been satisfied and the need of the body taken care of.

FOOTWEARS

Ideally, what suits the season are rain boots. But neither men nor women feel comfortable in them in our society.

For Patience Fubara, wearing rain boots with her clothes as a banker, will not make her feel properly dressed. She said since most women take up full time paid jobs, it is better for them to wear rubber sandals and carry their leather shoes in their bags so that they can change once they get into the offices.

She opined that it would be utterly senseless for a woman to wear her leather shoes out of the house once the rain catches her in the house.

She revealed that rain will shorten the life span of most shoes if carelessly worn. For now, the prices of good leather shoes cost from N10,000 (Ten thousand naira) and above.

According to Mrs Patience Fubara, rubber sandals that are well designed should be in every woman’s wardrobe.

In the market where different models ranging from N800, N1,500, a trader confirmed that there has been increased in price, inspite of this there is an increase in demand.

However, the men do not have the same opportunity of changing shoes here and there because they do not carry bags around. Since majority of them have cars, they only need to walk a short distance to go to their cars.

HAIR CARE

Men need not bother themselves. Their usual short hair can see them through.

However, this is a period when women will need to change their hair style. Ms Odinaka Emmanuel, a beautician stated, there is need to either go for braids, weave-on or wigs as water often changes the silky look of our day to day permed hair. Since the washed will be damp almost all the time, the curls and glossy look will be very momentary.

To maintain a glamorous look, there is need to do something about the hair.

Shampoo your hair weekly as damp hair do not smell fine.

A woman needs to smell beautiful at all times.

Coverings

The proper protective covering during the rain is raincoat – a rubber coverall that keeps the rain away, some of them come with caps for the heads and they are usually at least knee length while most are long.

Inspite of the effectiveness of raincoat, most people prefer umbrella. This is because they find it easier to carry around, while some are big, there are small and portable ones.

Abiebua Brown, a dealer in umbrella, intimated this writer that the big ones are usually more durable as they can withstand the winds that often accompany the rains especially in this part of the country.

Women, please be ready for the rain. Remember to take a warm bath after the day’s job, domestically and otherwise.

Massage yourself very well and keep your children warm with sweaters and jean jackets. Make sure you have sockings on to keep you warm in bed to beat the cold.

Aboniki, mentholatum, essential balm are all hot balms to help keep you warm during this rainy season.

All the best as you paddle on.

Julie Jumbo