How to Dress for a Hurricane

As you all know, I live at the beach in North Carolina.  Irene has passed and now it is a beautiful day outside but the last 2 were not so pleasant.  The shop was closed yesterday but I did have to work Friday and it got me thinking, what can I wear for this weather?

Express dress (from seasons ago) - FC ($12)
Ipanema sandals (designed by Gisele) - FC ($8)
Vintage Dooney & Bourke bag - FC ($35)
Peacock feather earrings, FC ($3.50); Jade bangle - from bf

So, what do you wear when the weather calls for a hurricane?  It is similar to dressing for a rainy day...a very, very rainy day, and you have to account for strong winds too.  Here are my tips:

• Steer clear of jeans: the hems will get wet and denim tends to stick which can be really uncomfortable
• Cotton is king: it can get wet, be washed and dried...perfect fabric for crazy weather
• Rain-proof shoes: no leather! try rainboots or, like me, sandals that can get wet
• Be careful with short or flouncy skirts: the wind will definitely catch it and you'll be pulling a "marilyn monroe" which, while sexy, is not always the best look
• Don't worry about your hair: no use spending hours fixing it because it will not last.  i usually braid mine or just let it air-dry and do as it pleases

Following my own rules...I opted for a comfy cotton dress with my rubber (and therefore rain-proof) gisele sandals.  I went with my old D&B purse which holds a lot and I don't really care if it gets wet.  I didn't do my hair and left my accessories simple.

I hope everyone on the east coast is safe from Irene.  We made it out pretty well actually, some friends lost power but we never did...though we did lose internet.  Yesterday after the storm the bf and I went to the ocean where he surfed, I photographed, and lots of people found some really awesome shells (including a starfish bigger than this guy's hand) that had been knocked up to shore.  How did my east coast friends hold up?

P.S. I apologize for the less-than-stellar quality of these photos...poor lighting!


Tell me, what do you wear when the weather is crazy?  Do you have any tips or go-to outfits for rainy days?