How to dress in rainy weather?

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The weather report has just come in. It’s going to rain all week. While this announcement might dampen your spirits, it is not surprising for this season. Autumn often brings us gray days and passing showers. However, it has never been a reason to dress poorly, because yes, you can dress well in the fall. And yes, even on a rainy day, you can have style. All it takes is following a few rules and choosing the right pieces. Luckily, that’s what we’ll share in this article.

It’s raining, how do I dress? 

#1 Finding your jacket, rule number 1 for going out in the rain 

If there’s one garment to cherish in a rainy outfit, it’s the jacket. It’s the piece that will protect you best from the water, due to its surface and its protective technology. After doing some research, I came across an article that talked about coating. This technique involves coating garments with an invisible blend of “resin and vinyl” to make the garment water-repellent. Thus, it resists water. But be careful, the coating remains inexpensive. The more the garment is used in the rain, the less it resists. It’s advisable to renew the coating every year (clever manufacturers!). 

To brave storms, just like droplets, the best option is to turn to a water-repellent coat. And for that, you have several choices. 

• Parkas: the parka is a long, waterproof coat with a hood, often thermally insulated, featuring multiple pockets.
• Trench coats: trench coats are also rain garments if they are water-repellent. They are recognized by their length and the belt that emphasizes the silhouette. Rain trench coats are a very elegant option.
• Raincoats: these are true rain garments, but unlike parkas, they are not padded and only serve to protect from rain. Some have hoods, others are short, while others are long. With raincoats, there are no rules.

Depending on the brands, they will not all look the same. Some labels prefer pop colors and patterns, while others are more traditional. The cuts can also vary. Oversized and long capes. Short and tailored raincoats. You have options for every taste and style. It’s up to you to decide what suits you best!

#2 Watch out for bottoms, don’t choose just any 

Have you found your rain jacket? Then, you’ve already done half the work to face the storm raging outside. But if you opt for a raincoat or a short windbreaker, your legs will not escape the deluge. 

My advice is this: don’t overlook your rain pants. Because there’s nothing more uncomfortable than getting soaked and having to wear your wet jeans for the rest of the day. The fabric sticking to your skin, remember that feeling? 

Don’t choose just any pants on a rainy day. For example, forget about corduroy pants that will absorb the rain just like jeans. The best option is to choose bottoms made from a waterproof or technical material. That way, you’ll stay dry. But in terms of style, it’s clearly not the most elegant option. A vinyl pant could, however, do the trick, and under a trench coat, it always works. 

#3 What about shoes for venturing out in the rain?

Not surprisingly, rain boots will be your allies to brave the rain. And if you have in mind the ugly red boots you wore as a child, rest assured, times have changed, and so have the boots.

Nowadays, they are modern, often platformed, and sometimes adorned with little details that embellish the outer surface. If the weather is mild, you can wear them even when it’s not raining, because they are also very nice autumn shoes to wear. Paired with an oversized blazer or a knit dress, they will be perfect to complete a beautiful autumn outfit.

#4 Don’t neglect the accessories

A rain outfit can end up being a bit boring or lacking dimension. A simple way to spice it up is to accessorize your outfit. This is far from being superfluous when it’s raining. A piece of jewelry, a hair accessory, a tied ribbon, a nice handbag, an umbrella. 

Speaking of umbrellas, we can’t think of rain accessories without mentioning it. The umbrella, by its function, is the undeniable ally against both light and heavy rains. But from an aesthetic point of view, it can also be very elegant if it’s well-made. 

So, don’t hesitate to pull it out as soon as the drops start falling. The bigger and more spacious it is, the more it will give you flair.

Trendy pieces to dress for rainy weather without compromising your style

Dressing for rain as a woman? The final word

Ultimately, dressing for rainy weather isn’t that complicated. The most important thing is to select the key piece, the jacket. Opt for a water-repellent model, even if you’ll need to think about re-coating it the following year. It’s the best way to stay dry. But a more technical jacket can also be suitable, especially if you reuse it for other occasions. 

Also, think about your bottoms so you don’t get soaked; that’s important.

Your shoes will be your allies, so bet on rain boots. They are the best and also trendy. 

Finally, don’t neglect the accessories; they will give dimension to your (somewhat special) outfit. 

💡 To delve deeper into autumn looks, don’t miss the 5 major coat trends of the season.

Featured image: © Sandra Semburg