According to some very speculative weather outlooks, we’re set to have a pretty decent summer, with both June and August bringing about scorching temperatures and more sun than you could shake a stick at. Hopefully these reports are more than just wishful thinking because after a few days of sun dotted here and there, I think we’re all getting ready to make the most of the weather whenever it does decide to make its appearance. 
 I mean, it would certainly make a change from the washouts we’ve had in previous years. There have been oftentimes when you would need to double check the calendar to be sure that you haven’t somehow missed out on a few months and found yourself in the middle of winter. I’m still convinced that there were days in December that were warmer and more pleasant than most of last June. Even after living in Northern Ireland all my life, I can still find myself amazed by the seemingly impossible feats of weather manipulation that goes on in the atmosphere directly above us. The sun could be splitting stones over in London and yet we’d be stoking up the fire and adding extra blankets to the beds!
 I always feel a bit sorry for tourists who come over here in the summer. They must think that our seasons run like they do in the rest of the world, so they come over with their shorts and t-shirts packed, full of optimism after reading what surely have to be exaggerated tales of the eternally confused climate, only to have to make a run to the nearest shop that stocks wellingtons, warm coats and heavy-duty umbrellas. 
Then again, I think I’m just as bad in some ways. I don’t have separate summer and winter wardrobes per se because I’m realistic enough to know that there’s no need to tempt fate, but I do have clothing that is obviously more suited to certain times of the year. While I may think my floaty lightweight dresses look great at all times, I might get a few odd looks if they’re paired with some clumpy boots, thermal tights and a thick hoodie. Likewise, the woolly jumpers and fluffy socks would garner a few sideways glances should I leave the house wrapped up looking more like I’m off on an arctic expedition rather than a dander in Enniskillen. 
 I try my very best to be optimistic about the weather but it often ends in tears. Because of how changeable our weather can be, there’s really no point in planning out what you’re going to wear the night before unless it’s for some special event, so I make all those decisions in the morning once I’ve looked out the window and deduced how windy it is. Alas, I’m still often caught out even with that little routine as it can be all bright and calm one minute and then hailstones and biting gusts can come the next. 
There’s really nothing worse than looking totally out of place for the weather but with Fermanagh being what it is, it seems like something we’re all going to fall victim to more often than not. It’s really quite endearing how we still hope for the best when summer rolls around again, hoping with every part of us that it will be better than last year or at least make up for a rotten winter but we should really know better. The seasons may change but the only real difference in the weather is that the rain becomes a little warmer and the wind becomes more of an inconvenience to those who dare to venture out in a billowing top or skirt.
For years gone by I’d have just worn the same kinds of things, swapping out the hoodie for a lighter cardigan around mid-April but that shall be no longer. I think I’ve managed to crack it this year. 
I’m not generally one to follow fashions because, as most people who have seen me will know, I’m fond of all shades of monochrome and think leggings are the greatest fashion staple of all time. It works well here in Fermanagh because they pair perfectly with nearly anything so can be used in all seasons. Or at least they do for me.
I recently tried to push myself out of my comfort zone and bought myself a skirt. It was a perfectly sunny day and clearly the sun had gone straight to my head. I had all these images in my mind of what I could wear it with and how I was going to look like I’d just stepped out of a catalogue but literally the day after I got it, it started to rain and it’s barely stopped since. Needless to say, I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet and I’m holding out hope for at least a day or two where I can show it off in all its colourful glory. 
However, in the meantime, I’ve decided that my leggings may now have to make room for the trousers that have usurped them; the two new victors of the summer fashion stakes. Ladies and gentlemen, my clothing staples for the summer are now to be harem pants and palazzo trousers. Lightweight, colourful and comfortable, they’re everything you could wish for. Hats off to whoever came up with the idea for them because they’ve really made summer for me. 
They’re one of those rare types of clothing that are perfect for Fermanagh in July and August because they look seasonal but don’t compromise on functionality. There must be some kind of magic woven in with them because they don’t get too hot in the sun, dry off really quickly if they get wet and can keep you warm when the temperature plummets. With them, there’s none of this worrying about shorts being too short or getting too tight in the wrong places as you’re moving around. They’re also perfect for those who are a little self-conscious because they cover up without making you boil up so what’s not to like? 
Y’see, summer fashion just wasn’t designed with Fermanagh in mind and so we have to pick out the bits that we can and make them work and curse either Barra or Frank when their words come to be proven wrong. Can’t really blame them though – there are only so many different ways they can say that it’s going to rain before they feel obligated to provide a little bit of hope, no matter how outside the odds of a bit of sunshine might be. 
Finally, there’s a summer style I can actually embrace and I plan to take full advantage of it. Who knows: maybe I’ll find a way to transition them well into autumn as well because sure, with the way our weather is notorious for being, we’ll probably have a heatwave mid-October. It wouldn’t be the first time!