I have arrived back home after two weeks in sunny Tenerife to rain, rain and more rain. No change really fromn when I left to go on holiday but feels even more miserable in contrast to the gorgeous hot weather I have enjoyed for the last two weeks.

Of course my thoughts are now firmly focused on the practicalities of the getting out and about in torrential rain and of course managing to look stylish with it. There are three essentials that come to mind when planning for such severe weather conditions. They are the rain coat, a good pair of boots and a neat umbrella to fit in my handbag and take with me everywhere. Here is my wet weather wish list.

If you want a neutral rain coat that will go with just about anything and is bound to be in fashion year after year, you should opt for a classic style trench coat.

This Design Go Travel Umbrella looks business like in blue and will go with most outfits. It is also really small and compact to fit into a handbag.

These Dr Marten Boots strike just the right balance between practicality and style. Great for keeping your feet and ankles dry and look great with trousers.

The trench coat has always been considered a spring wardrobe essential and I am really starting to understand why. With all the stormy windy and wet weather we have been having lately my trench coat has become invaluable. The weather is at that in-between stage to warm for a thick winter coat but not yet warm or dry enough to do without a coat at all. 

The trench coat is also an ultimately stylish piece of clothing that can be worn with almost anything. It looks equally good when worn with a suit for work or over jeans on a weekend. As trench coats have become such a must have piece of clothing for spring, there is a huge variety of styles and colours to choose from. I like to opt for a single-breasted style as I am quite short and double-breasted can make me look shorter. Beige or black are both great colours for a trench coat, as they will go with everything, but for those who like to stand out in a crowd a bright coloured trench coat looks great.

 A classic style trench in red - a real head turner

  A great basic black trench to go with everything

 A suede trench for when style is more important than keeping dry