By Haley Lewis

staff writer
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Blue skies and sunny days have hit Cheney and along with it are the fun trends of spring: bright colors, light airy fabrics, florals, prints, wedges, sandals and dresses, but students might want to face the reality of sporadic weather patterns in the Inland Northwest.

Two students have already taken notice of this reality.

“Spring is difficult to dress for because the weather here is so fluctuating,” said David Gelhaus, senior creative writing major. “I just take it day by day.”

“Spring is not my most favorite season,” said Margo Pecha, also a senior creative writing major. “It’s this weird in-between stage. You never know here in Cheney what the weather will look like. I make sure what I’m wearing is easy to alter because the weather is pretty unpredictable. You have to be prepared.”

Of course it’s easy to dress when it is beautiful out, but what about days when it’s rainy, windy and cold?

Jenny Stabile, owner of Carousel, a vintage boutique in downtown Spokane, said a medium-weight coat such as burlap or canvas with an inside lining or lighter wool is a smart choice for a colder spring. An option she recommended was in the style of a lighter double-breasted peacoat with a belt or a trench style, the classic rainy day coat. Most trenches are coated with water repellent, which is beneficial, especially if it rains.

“A coat is what you see the most in the winter and spring,” said Stabile. “Just because you have to stay warm, it doesn’t mean that the coat can’t be the star of the outfit. A coat can be fashionable and still express your style.”

Stabile recommended students getting a coat in a colorful hue to add some punch to their wardrobe.

Grace Johnson, owner of resale store Fringe and Fray, also in downtown Spokane, said cowboy boots can be fun for the spring, especially if it is rainy, because they will keep students’ feet warm and protected from getting wet. If students are not into cowboy boots, a classic pair of leather riding boots in any color may do the trick.

Johnson sprays all of her boots with water proofer, so that they are ready for any kind of weather.
On colder days, Johnson wears her boots with wool socks for added warmth.

“I [also] double layer tights, so I wear a thinner pair under a thicker pair to stay warmer or I put a thicker pair under a sheer one with a pattern, so the color shows through.”

Pecha said rain boots do a lot to liven up an outfit. They are available in many different colors and patterns. Johnson recommended a really cute umbrella in place of the rain boots.

Gelhaus said layers are still a good idea in spring, just make sure they are lighter fabrics and lighter or brighter colors. Layers work well because they can be removed as it gets warmer.

If it is a little chilly out, Stabile recommended wearing an ankle-tapered pant, in jean or legging material, with a vintage sweater, turtle neck, cardigan or blazer for added warmth. She said to add flats to the ensemble to get the “Audrey Hepburn” look.

Johnson recommended wearing skirts, dresses with long-sleeves or dresses worn with a cardigan and layered with tights. She said a leather or tweed jacket is also suited for rainy weather.

“After seeing so much black, brown and grey in the winter, spring is a great time to add color again,” said Johnson.

In addition to color, Johnson said a fun way to freshen up your wardrobe is to mix prints. Her tips on how to do this effectively are to make sure the prints are in the same color combination and to keep one print larger than the other so that they do not clash.