The Dictator rules: Bring an umbrella, and don’t step in any puddles. Next? I’m only half joking. Unless you work out­doors, which applies to only a tiny percentage of Hongkongers, or you don’t know how to use an umbrella, you won’t regularly find yourself drenched from head to toe. For those rare emergencies, you could simply keep a spare pair of dry shoes at your desk. Boring, I know, but practical and economical. Now, for a bit of fun, you could get yourself a pair of, well, Wellington boots. Before you turn the page in frustration, let me tell you that they have come a long, long way from butchers’ uniforms. If you’d like some suggestions, then write in. For now, let’s focus on the access­ory you never knew you needed: plastic shoes. In the case of brands such as Melissa, the material used is called Melflex, a form of PVC that is flexible, hypoallergenic, recyclable and, of course, water­proof. You’ll probably recognise the pretty Melissa X Campana flats (HK$700 and up), which seem to have been counter­feited and sold cheaply in local markets. The brand also does sandals, funky heels and more. Many others who followed its lead now do cute plastic shoes, such as Sunnydaysweety (HK$250 to HK$350; www.zalora.com.hk). Furniture company Kartell makes lovely rubber ballet flats in various colours (HK$535 to HK$1,125; www.yoox.com). Incidentally, I’ll never under­stand why so many of you choose to slip and slide in flip-flops when it rains. Maybe you just prefer your feet wet and dirty.