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Navigating the In-Between Weather
If you’ve opened your wardrobe lately and felt personally victimized by the weather, you’re not alone. This seasonal in-between period can be confusing at best and downright offensive at its worst (we’re looking at you, humidity). One minute it’s sunny, and you let the dogs out in open-toe shoes. The next, it’s raining sideways, and you’re questioning every clothing decision you’ve ever made.
Watch: Donny Galella gives us an outfit check. Post continues below.
We’re all seemingly at a loss for what to wear these days, which is exactly why we invited celebrity stylist Donny Galella back onto the Nothing To Wear podcast. Within minutes, it became clear that we’re all struggling with the same fashion dilemmas.
From mastering rainy-day chic, and finding a pair of shoes that’ll actually last, to the eternal hunt for a backpack that doesn’t give “Dora the Explorer”, these are the questions blowing up a stylist’s DMs right now.
1. What to Wear When It’s Raining
Q: How do you look chic when it’s bucketing down? Is there anywhere to find cute raincoats and gumboots?
According to Donny, the secret is having one hero piece that does all the heavy lifting. “The best thing you can have in your wardrobe is a longline trench coat that’s water-resistant,” he says. “You instantly look chic, you stay dry, and it gives you that little bit of warmth without feeling bulky.”
“To keep your feet warm and dry, the Hunter boot is like the Ferrari of gumboots.”
ASOS Design longline water repellent trench coat, $143.
Image: Supplied.Lululemon Classic-Fit Trench Coat, $369.
Image: Supplied.Big W &me Women’s Gusset Gumboots, $20.
Image: Big W.Hunter Refined Tall Wellington Boots, $250.
Image: THE ICONIC.
2. Where to Buy Quality Shoes
Q: I need help with shoes! I don’t want to buy a new pair of shoes every season, but feel like I haven’t nailed my capsule wardrobe for shoes. Bonus points for well-made shoes that last and don’t cost an arm and a leg!
“There are about six or seven pairs that will get you through pretty much every dressing occasion,” Donny said.
- A nude heel
- A black heel
- A good ballet flat
- A plain white sneaker (nothing too chunky, minimal branding).
- Easy slides for warmer months
- A great pair of black boots.
Styles aside, Donny has one golden rule: invest in materials that last. “When possible, go for leather — it stretches, it’s comfortable, and it gives you longevity. Shop mid-year or end-of-year sales, warehouse deals… you can get great leather shoes at really good prices.”
But for those of us who are after something affordable right now, Donny noted: “Target have suede shoes and suede boots for around fifty or sixty dollars — they’re actually really good.”
3. Work Backpacks
Q: Is there such a thing as a chic backpack? I prefer not looking like Dora The Explorer.
If the words “stylish” and “backpack” feel mutually exclusive, good news: they absolutely don’t have to be. In fact, Donny did some digging for this one — so deep, he almost checked out with one. Here are his recommendations.
Oroton Dylan Large Zip Around Backpack, now 299.50.
Image: Supplied.Belle & Bloom Camila Leather Backpack, $229.95.
Image: Supplied.Nordace Siena Smart Backpack, now $169.99.
Image: Supplied.Target Active Medium Nylon Backpack, $40.
Image: Target.
4. How to Style Oversized Clothes
Q: Do all bodies look good in oversized items and outfits? And how can we nail this look, without looking like a blob?
Donny’s advice? “Clients tell me all the time, ‘I’m wearing these big baggy jeans but I feel frumpy,’ and my answer is always the same: if you don’t feel good in it, don’t wear it. Don’t succumb to trends you don’t love.”
If you do want to embrace the oversized look, styling tricks that bring back shape are a must. “A French tuck, a half-tuck, even a wrap-tuck can make a huge difference. Grab some fabric underneath the shirt, tie it with an elastic, and it creates a ruching effect that takes the bulk out.”
“Brooches are having a moment. Twist an oversized shirt to one side, gather it, add a brooch — suddenly it’s fitted, intentional, and the brooch becomes a feature.”
And then there’s the golden rule of proportions. “If you’re going big on the bottom, keep it slimmer on top. If you’re going oversized up top, go more fitted down below. It’s all about balance.”
5. Best Winter Trends
Q: Now summer is over, what trends are coming for winter?
Rather than thinking about trends, Donny recommended auditing your wardrobe to see if you have three key items that never go out of style:
“Everyone needs a denim jacket, a leather jacket, and a trench coat. They’re the perfect pieces for this in-between weather — just enough warmth without feeling heavy.”
As for what’s coming this winter? Texture and light layering on the rise. Think: semi-sheer knits and cardigans worn over a tank, or a lace bra for night out. It’s all about pieces that add interest without bulk, plus they’re easy layering as the temperature dips.
6. Online Shopping Tips
Q: I live rural, and we have about three shops near us (yes, one is Kmart) so everyone ends up wearing the same clothes. I do most of my clothes shopping online, with varying degrees of success. Do you have any tips for shopping online more successfully so I don’t end up ordering things that look good on my phone, but are not great at all when they arrive?
Here are a few online shopping sites Donny always recommends:
- THE ICONIC — “They’ve got everything, the delivery’s good, the service is good.”
- Uniqlo online for basics.
- Next — “It’s a UK retailer I love for men’s, women’s, kids and homewares, and the pricing is really good.”
- Mango (MNG) — “Because they’re in the opposite season, you can get amazing deals. I saw coats heavily reduced.”
When it comes to avoiding disappointment, Donny says the trick is doing a bit of homework. “Use the filters and narrow it down to exactly what you want — even by fabric, like cotton or natural fibres. Check the size chart, look at the measurements, check what it’s made of. It takes a minute, but it saves you having to post things back.”
For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube. At , we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.
Feature image: Supplied.
