The Pacific Northwest, a great place to live if you want to be right by the water but also right by the city. However, a challenge every PNW student faces every day is “What am I going to wear to school today?” Everyone who has lived in this region knows this struggle. Is it going to rain? Is it humid? Is it going to actually be sunny today? Will there be a freak snowstorm all of a sudden?
Honestly, from my experience of living here my whole life, sometimes all of those things happen in one day. You just have to be prepared for anything.
Here is a list of fashion go-tos every PNW student needs to have in their closet.
1. A lightweight rain jacket.
I mean, it’s the Northwest, you gotta have something to shield you when God decides to bombard you with rain. Now the tricky part is when it gets to the spring or fall seasons and you can never really tell what the weather is going to be like. Sure, it might be sunny in the morning, but don’t let that good weather fool you. It might start down pouring by 3 p.m. In any case, it’s always good to have a rain jacket on hand, and a lightweight one is the perfect size to stuff in your backpack for emergencies. Everyone had those thin layered North Face rain jackets in high school. Go ahead, drag that out from the back of the closet. It’ll definitely save your life when you’re caught in a rainstorm.
2. A nice parka.
Now when those thin rain jackets can’t help you, this parka will. It definitely doesn’t get too cold in the PNW compared to other states in America, but when it does get cold, you need to be prepared. A parka is basically an on-the-go sleeping bag. It’s fashionable and cute when unzipped, but when it gets chilly, nothing is better than zipping that bad boy all the way up and looking like a cozy burrito.
3. Rain boots.
OK, this is a no-brainer. Rain boots are just plain amazing. Wanna shield your feet from the rain? Rain boots. Wanna jump in a couple puddles like you're 3 years old again? Rain boots. Don’t wanna step in a pile of mud and accidentally mess up your outfit? Rain boots. Also, think of all the different styling possibilities. You can literally get a different colored rain boot to match any outfit. Black? Red? Bright Yellow? Honestly, if they made those ladybug rain boots in an adult size, I would be all over them.
4. Flannel(s).
NOW THIS IS THE FASHION STAPLE OF THE NORTHWEST. Literally, a flannel goes with every outfit. It makes the best final piece to any ensemble. If you’re cold? Put on a flannel! If you’re hot? Don’t worry, tie it around your waist and you are ready for whatever nature throws at you. Plus, we are literally the grunge music destination of the world, and what’s grunge without some old flannels you got from Value Village?
5. A baseball hat.
The baseball hat is something everyone has in their closet but doesn’t think much of it. Personally, my baseball hat has come in handy so many times. Wanna make that look sporty? Go ahead and throw on that old baseball hat you probably stole from your dad’s closet. If it’s rainy out, the hat will block any darn raindrop that will try and attack you. If it’s sunny, it will provide that perfect shade for your eyes. Honestly, for a place like the Northwest where the weather changes constantly during the day, your baseball hat is the perfect fashion staple.
6. Chacos and/or Tevas.
The PNW is a great place to go hiking, and these shoes are the best for it. Just strap them up and you’re ready to go up any mountain. You don’t have to wear them during the summer either. Getting cold? Add some socks! No one will judge you for wearing socks and sandals, because honestly, we are all doing the same thing.
7. Fun socks.
Fun socks are definitely a great thing to have, especially if you’re following #6 and you want to spice up your sandal game. Get some with cool patterns! Animals! Maybe some funny quotes on them! The options are endless. Go ahead and cuff those denim jeans and show off your cool socks. You’ll make everyone in school jealous.
