Good Beauty Deals – Best Rainey Day Wear
Not only are they fashionable, they also passed the Good Housekeeping Research Institute’s tests with flying colors. Here, the winners — plus, four champs you won’t read about in the magazine.
Best Rain Gear for Women
Rain Boots
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Fashion Favorite
The Jeffrey Campbell Cowboy Boots ($59.95; www.dianeslittlelambs.com) won raves for their funky patterns and colors, and their stylish 1 1/2-inch heels.
Quality Queen
The L.L. Bean Wellies ($49; 800-809-7057; www.llbean.com) are made of a sturdy yet flexible rubber — so they’re snug around your legs but roomy enough to let you tuck in a pair of thick jeans.
Made for Walkin’
On the run all day? Check out the Western Chief Cowgirl Boots ($39.95; 800-925-7463; www.westernchief.com). Unlike most footgear made for rainy weather, this pair has extra padding to cushion your soles.
Must-Have Umbrellas
Compact umbrellas are convenient, but they rarely make it through a windy day. To find ones that stand the best chance in a gust, the Good Housekeeping Institute put 18 fold-ups through rigorous tests.
The winner: the Totes Super Dome ($25; 800-962-5600; www.totes.com). Small enough to fit in a medium-size bag, it opens large enough to cover two people.
Close runners-up: the Liberty WeightLess #9730 and #9732 ($35 each; sold at specialty stores nationwide). These also did a great job of withstanding strong winds, and the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers raved about how light and compact they were.
Other Great Choices
* The ultra-lightweight Liberty WeightLess #9758 ($28; sold at specialty stores nationwide) will hold up in a rainstorm – and won’t weigh down your handbag. It’s available in cool shades like lime, fuschia and silver.
* At $38, the ShedRain Windpro #1770 (800-722-7246; www.shedrain.com) is the most expensive of the umbrellas we tested. But testers loved how quickly and easily it opened.
* Not only is the Totes ‘brella #8318 ($25; 800-962-5600; www.totes.com) small and lightweight, it aced the Good Housekeeping Institute’s water-resistance tests, so you’ll stay dryer longer.