Sensible shoes and clothes for spring
There are only a few weeks left until the start of spring … but the way things are going, it seems that spring plans to carry on hibernating for a few more months.
Even once the weather begins to improve, the British climate is notorious for its unpredictability. You may be sporting shorts in April and jackets in August. Admittedly, it is far more likely that, as we pass through the last days of winter and enter into spring (are you listening, Mother Nature?), we will be facing dull, grey, damp weather, but you can never be entirely sure. So, when it comes to choosing outdoor clothing and footwear, how can you deal with this uncertainty?
It’s probably time to put away the heavy winter coats, and save them for when you go out at night. During the day, thick coats may well be too warm, so the ideal coat or jacket would be one that is three-quarter length. Worn with a pair of boots, it will keep most of your body dry during the inevitable showers that we are plagued with. What is the best material? A lightweight wool coat will keep you warm and dry, without being too thick or warm, and won’t be too heavy to carry if you go into shops (they invariably have the heating turned up so high it feels as though you are in a sauna).
Alternatively, a padded jacket, although arguably less stylish than a coat, is ideal for both colder and warmer days. It is especially suitable if you lead a casual lifestyle, as this style of coat will not make you look overdressed. Also these coats are more likely to have a hood attached (maybe removable for those occasions when you don’t want to use it), which can be very useful if you don’t want to carry an umbrella, or if it is too windy to keep an umbrella open! As we all know, the combination of wind and rain is unfortunately all too common in the British climate …
As for footwear, a lighter pair of boots will prove very versatile and, if purchased now, will still give you plenty of opportunities to wear them. With luck, there may even be some still available in the sales. Make sure that they are waterproof, or buy a product to make them impermeable, as one thing that we can be sure of is that there are plenty of rainy days to come! Avoid fur-lined boots, unless you want your feet to feel like they’re cooking. If you do a lot of walking, a good sturdy pair of ankle boots will also help keep your feet warm and dry. Finally, for safety’s sake, make sure that the soles of your shoes or boots have a good grip, for those rainy days.