Wet weather wear: 8 smart buys to keep you dry

Admit it: at least once this month you've arrived somewhere with drenched hair or soaking socks because you didn't adequately prepare for a deluge. For a nation that is underwater to some degree for 98 per cent of the year, Irish people are desperately under prepared for the rain. Sure, the kids are all set up with rain coats and wellies, but mum and dad are still darting between cars and buildings using newspapers as makeshift umbrellas. Here are eight stylish (and smart) solutions to add to your wardrobe today: 1. Stutterheim make forever raincoats. This Öland Opal White cape in glossy rubberised material boasts double welded seams and has wrist straps on the inside for cycling. €315 here. 2. Keep your stuff dry en route to the office with a waxed canvas TomBag, €142 here. 3. The inner quilted part of this clever coat can be removed allowing you to pop it on over your other coats. €44.12 here. 4. These short Hunter wellies will last for years, as will your fashion cred. €110 at Brown Thomas 5. Too windy for an umbrella? Pop on a waxed rain hat by Moaning Minnie and keep your 'do intact all day. €59 here. 6. One for Daddy. €69.95 at Zara 7. Chelsea boots that are actually cleverly-disguised wellies. No more sodden socks! €29.41 here. 8. The goes-with-everything Rain Parka, €56.62 here