What she's wearing: yellow duck boots

Northwest fashion doesn't have to mean polar fleece and hiking boots. In "What she's wearing," our fashion expert offers regular commentary to women who aren't teens, hipsters, or obsessed with the rather unattainable standards set by "Sex and the City" but contrary to their Gore-Tex-clad compatriots, are looking for a little more pizzazz in their wardrobes.

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On this day, I was planning on spending a few hours splashing around the tide pools with my son, but the weather did not cooperate. I am a definite fair-weather tide pool explorer. But since it was raining so hard (sigh), I chose to stick with the rain boots anyway. We made alternate arrangements to hit our last resort inside play area that will not be named, lest I get drawn and quartered for exposing my kid to the food of the "evil empire." (You get one hint: It starts with Mc and ends with a small toy and a trip to the cardiologist).

Now the back-story behind the rain boots is that I went to New York for a spring wedding and basically ended up tromping around the city in a monsoon on a 47-degree day (sigh). Despite the umbrella, I was soaked through (including my shoes) and just couldn't take the cold, wet feet anymore. After lunch I ran into DSW and found these short rain boots, and despite the obnoxious color, I was really drawn to them. I realize now that they invoke the nostalgia I have for my yellow galoshes and bubble umbrella with the Morton Salt Girl emblem circling the rim. I wore those with pride when I was six years old.

For the record, the gray tank is covered in a layer of clear sequins, which gives it some subtle sparkle, so this outfit isn't as boring as it appears in the photo. Again, layered for warmth with a long-sleeve T-shirt and a sweater (sigh).

• Black "newsboy" cap (two to three years old, Claire's, $10 - originally bought for a 60s theme party)
• Antique wash Levis 515 jeans (two months old, Kohl's, $29.99 sale)
• Boring (I mean basic) long-sleeved white T-shirt (four years old, hand-me-down, free)
• Sparkly gray tank top (one year old, Limited Express, $30)
• Oh so sensible, Charter Club black cardigan (two years old, Macy's, $29.98)
• "Did I have too much Claritin, or are your earrings rotating?" silver hoop earrings (bought two years ago at Nordstrom, $30)
• Yellow "duck feet" rain boots (one month old, DSW, $55 - pricey, but bought under duress)

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Previously worn: snazzy red heels.