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The Five Rain Shoes Every New York Woman Should Own

 These five bad weather essentials will save your look come rain or come shine.
Rain or Shine Shoes
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NEW YORK — Weather is the enemy of style. You plan what you're going to wear, then a storm forces a whole new rethink based around rainboots — impossible when you're dressing for formal occasions or trying to look sharp for the office.

Here are the five shoes that will save your look come rain or come shine.

1. The Low Rubber Rain Boot

I don't know how Hunter Wellies made it so big in New York. They're uncomfortable, too hot to wear inside and only look good with bare legs on Kate Moss. They should go back to the English countryside where they belong.

Chelsea-style, rubber ankle boots are more practical for the city, and are a dressier style. Urban Outfitters sells a great pair by Jeffrey Campbell, called the Forecast Rain boot, which are $70. The New York based high fashion store Kirna Zabete collaborated with Nine West on these very spiffy Pinnical boots, that have a neoprene scuba heel.  Or try a pair of lace-up, rubber ankle boots by Loeffler Randall, which are usually sold at Barney's for $165 (but are currently discounted to $99). All of these are easier to integrate with work wear than your country Wellies or woodsy Duck Boots.

2. Army or Motorcycle Boots

Doc Martens or other weather-proofed army boots are very much on trend. I wore Report's Jude motorcycle boots every day this past winter. They're less clunky than your average motorcycle boot, incredibly comfortable and they make your legs look longer and thinner because the body of the shoe dips in the front.

3. Comfortable Patent Leather Heels

Patent leather is a girl's best friend when it comes to the elements. Look for deals on pastels, neutrals and even fluorescents, but a pair of basic black will save you time and time again. If you have the beans, go for the classic patent Manolo Blahnik BB. For a mid-range price and mid-range heel option, try Stuart Weitzman's Mimi pumps. And you can't beat Nine West's Martina pumps at $79 pair.

Essential Rain Boots for New York Women
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DNAinfo/Victoria Floethe

4. Rubber Soled Oxfords

Many labels are doing Oxfords in patent leather and metallics, which both reflect light beautifully on a rainy day. Oxfords are perfect for the office. And they're a good stand-in for canvas tennis shoes on the weekends. Prada's patent leather Oxfords ($450) have a chic canvas bow. And Bass' silver rubber soled Oxfords are handsome and great to wear with the color navy.

5. Strappy Patent Leather or Synthetic Heels

What to do when it's raining on prom night, or when you have a wedding to attend?

Even if it's not raining, you don't want your satin heels to sink into wet grass. My gold patent leather Yves Saint Laurent Tribute heels, ($875) turned out to be a good investment because they are famously comfortable for such a high heel, and I never have to worry about them. But I also have a synthetic pair from Boutique 9, The Nine West label, which I wear just as much.