Living Classrooms' Maritime Magic

Rachael Snyder's outfit: cream cold-shoulder V-neck cable-knit sweater from venus.com; faux leather leggings with lace-appliqued mesh inserts at the knees and red patent leather pumps, above left, from shein.com; black velvet ribbon choker with pink cameo from etsy.com; rhinestone and silver chain stiletto earrings, above right, she bought online; gray faux snakeskin cross-body bag/clutch from Target. ( Karen Jackson/photos for the Baltimore Sun )

Weather is always a factor in dressing for Living Classrooms Foundation's Maritime Magic event. Tents can only go so far in protecting guests from the iffy elements at the annual fall blowout.

Rachael Snyder, 30, took a forecast of cooler weather and the possibility of rain into consideration when she dressed for the mostly outdoor party.

“I did not want to be freezing, but I also did not want to look frumpy. There's a fine line,” the northern Baltimore County resident said. “So I was thinking sleek pants with a nice sweater that's kind of sexy.”

Snyder said her style is all about combinations.

“I always have an element of femininity. But I also like a bit of city chic thrown in there, [or] a little punk, a little hipster/indie, depending on what I'm doing and how I'm feeling that day,” she said.

Fashion ultimately took a higher priority than catering to the evening's activities, which included walking on hard concrete and negotiating Fells Point's famed cobblestone streets. There was one component Snyder wasn't sacrificing — her red patent leather stilettos.

“It's worth the pain because it pops. It's what brings everything together,” she said.

THIS ONLINE SHOPPER'S FAVORITE SITES: “Venus. Shein. Uniquevintage.com — it's a little pricey, but worth it. Also, I love looking on Etsy because you can find those really personalized kinds of things you can't find in any store.”