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Be Prepared for the Elements: Dressing for Unpredictable Weather

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oregon chapter.

The flowers are starting to bloom, the ducks are starting to quack, and the sun is shining brightly…well, at least it should be. Eugene is probably one of the only cities in which going through all four seasons in one day is a common occurrence. While this adds a fun element of surprise to every day, it makes getting dressed in the morning rather difficult. Dressing for the cold is a safe bet, as on any given day, it will be raining, but then there are always the days when the sun randomly decides to come out. And then there are days when you wish you could take off the sweatshirt that’s making you awkwardly sweat next to Cutie McCute in Chemistry.
 
However, cultured collegiettes™ are never caught off guard, so they should know how to look cute, no matter how many seasons the day has gone through. Here are some outfit ideas, so you can rock the same outfit come rain or shine!

 To start off, you can break out that totally cute sundress you bought in your warm hometown during spring break, using the rationalization of, “Of course it’ll be warm! It’s spring term!”
 
Well, spring in Eugene pretty much euphemizes the term “April showers bring May flowers,” and we’re still looking forward to those flowers. There is a solution, though!
 
Take out that sundress you’ve been waiting much too long to wear. First step, put on some tights, because rain on cold legs is never a pleasant combo. Next, add a cardigan for extra warmth. Then, throw on boots so your feet won’t freeze, or so you can have an excuse to jump in puddles. I used brown combat boots in the example, because adding a little military to the spring dress look makes for an adorable contrast. After you’ve assembled your outfit, put on a coat for warmth, plunk on some accessories (hat for the daring, scarf for those extra cold days), and now you’re covered for the rain! If the sun comes out, take off your coat. Heat wave? Take off the cardigan, and you’re still going to be the girl who was obviously prepared for the weather…even if it was just raining twenty minutes ago.

 If you roll out of bed and decide it’s a jeans day, dress up your denim with an “I’m going to a fashion show/concert later” slightly punk vibe, and you’ll be stylish and equipped for all sorts of weather. The first idea is wearing wide leg jeans that are right on trend for spring with a vintage-inspired top and wedges with a furry vest, If you wear it with confidence, it will look super chic! To top it all off, add a scarf or a hat for the cold. Next, wear a cute top, lace up those combat boots, and add a leather jacket to up the pizzazz. The last idea is basic enough: wear a cute top, belt, and flats, then throw on a boyfriend blazer or leather jacket to make it more glamorous. As always, accessories make the outfit, so put on some hot shades, a bracelet or some earrings, and you’re good to go!
 

 Finally, for those warmer days, if you’re tired of all your jeans or they’re all dirty, rock one of the more controversial trends: harem pants. You can either wear them casually with a cute graphic tee and jean jacket, or rock a fun blazer with the bling-blang. If you want to dress your outfit up (and this is a great alternative to the traditional suit look), then pair it with a ruffle-y shirt and a cardigan, and oxfords or wedges with a blazer for an added professional touch.
 
Remember that layers are key, and you’ll be prepared for the weather, no matter what the temperature or precipitation level—if you get hot, just remove a layer, and vice versa. Accessories are also invaluable, as boots and scarves can complete an outfit and add some heat on a cold day. Last of all, a coat is essential, as it keeps the rain off your cute outfit and collegiette™ self!

A University of Oregon junior and San Francisco native, Charmaine Ng loves authentic noodle dishes and will always opt for Asian and Italian cuisine when pressed to choose a restaurant. She is a self-proclaimed "noodler," someone who uses her noodle to collaborate with others and bring big ideas to life. She interns for a student-run full-service ad agency, blogs for a wedding and event planning company, and runs the UO Muggle Quidditch League. In her spare time, she sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps - and dabbles in social media and blogging, her two biggest passions. Her quirkiness isn't apparent at first, but then she starts talking about packaging design and making funny faces, and you wonder what happened to that shy Asian girl you first met. With ambition bursting beyond the campus walls, Charmaine can't wait to graduate and work for an agency, company, or publication in community outreach efforts using social media.