Zinging in the rain

Spring sunshine is (hopefully) on its way but so are unpredictable April showers.

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spot raincoat, £45; spot wellies, £38; both Cath Kidston (www.cathkidston.co.uk)

Whether it's drizzle or downpours, prepare yourself for the elements with some rainwear essentials.

Not just reserved for April, a weather-savvy wardrobe is ideal for festivals and other al fresco events where you may be caught out.

Make your gear eye-catching to brighten up grey days. These pieces are so stylish you'll want to wear them come rain or shine.

Stand by your brollies - the fashion forecast for this season is looking bright.

Leak-free laminate

You can still wear heritage fabrics like tweed without getting soggy thanks to the latest high-tech fabrics. Jaeger's laminated pastel tweed coat bridges the gap between winter and spring, £350 (0845 051 0063/www.jaeger.co.uk).

Puddle proof

Wet pavements are no obstacle course with a WedgeWelly - think wellie with a wedge. Opt for a high-fashion quilted look with WedgeWelly's Opulence Unique boots, £45 (www.wedgewelly.co.uk).

Hair helmet

In-between weather demands a wide-brimmed hat to eliminate bad hair days. Save your tresses and look fashion-forward in Topshop's neon trim fedora hat, £25 (www.topshop.com).

Waterproof wonder

Combat a dull sky with a mood-enhancing bright colour. Marisota's red trench coat is sure to be uplifting on stormy days and the frill lapels will dance in the breeze, £75 (www.marisota.co.uk).

Stripy showers

Work spring's biggest trend via your brolly. You'll be performing a rain dance to flaunt the bold monochrome lines on Lulu Guinness's Bloomsbury Stripe umbrella, £40 at Fulton (www.fultonumbrellas.com).

Hood hideaway

No need to carry umbrellas or hats if your coat does all the hard work for you. Ruby & Ed's Indra raincoat has a roomy hood for changeable forecasts, £110 (0166 4452 906/www.rubyanded.co.uk).

Splash shoes

Look, wellies can be both feminine and fashionable. Parade through the puddles in Mel's transparent lace jelly mules, from £28.50 at Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk).

Cloudy daze

Put your head in the clouds, quite literally. Paperchase's dreamy print umbrella will have you walking on cloud nine through the rain, £12 (www.paperchase.co.uk).

Dotty deluge

Rain spots will pale into insignificance when wearing Damart's polka dot print trench. It's lightweight enough for stormy high-summer days too, £45 (www.damart.co.uk).

Welly upgrade

Stand tall in the rain showers. Hunter wellies have gone sky-high with the Gabby wellington heel boots in springtime neutral cream, £125 at Javari (www.javari.co.uk).

Get the look

Frankie Sandford stands out from her Saturdays bandmates in eye-catching neon. Go Day-Glo with George at Asda's neon pocket top, £5, in stores now (0800 952 0101). You can also bag Rochelle Humes's Benefit stripe patent court shoes at Dune, £85 (www.dune.co.uk).

Buy it now

Prepare to gasp in ballgown awe. Coast's selection of dresses just got even prettier with a new collection inspired by the V&A's hit exhibition, 'Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950'. Six gorgeous gowns are available, from £550, available now in selected Coast stores and online at www.coast-stores.com.

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