Ages ago, Kristophine popped this plea into the suggestion box:
Fashion for people in rainy, rainy places. Where I live, it rains from October through June with the occasional full-on downpour in high summer. I love to look nice, but I get trapped wearing the same things over and over because I can’t think of how to escape.
I’ll admit it: I had to mash down my thinking cap pretty hard for this one. I ABHOR wet toes and a wet neck, and become excessively ornery when days of rain prevent me from wearing pale pants or delicate shoes. So I can totally see how Kristophine might get stuck in a rut.
But I think I’ve come up with a few options that are relatively versatile for the rainy-climate resident … and hopefully you ever-resourceful readers can contribute some helpful tips, too!
Outfit 1: Dark Wash Skinnies Tucked into Boots
Not everyone likes this look, and it won’t flatter every figure. But if you can carry it off, it’s ideal for wet walkings.
Outfit 2: Mary Janes and Bright Tights
MJs are my go-to for transitional seasons because they bridge the gap between airy summer shoes and heavy winter shoes. Unless you’re slogging through ankle-deep puddles, they would work great in a rainy environment, too, what with the closed toes and stacked heels. Pair them with bright tights for warmth and a little sassy counteraction to their innate schoolgirlishness.
Outfit 3: Knee-high Boots, a Miniskirt, and a Floaty Tee
Here’s your outfit for that summer downpour, Kristophine. Tall boots may be cold weather staples, but if you pair them with slightly revealing garb, they can work year-round. And if it’s warm and rainy, the LAST thing you’ll want is to be sloshing around through the wet mud. If you can, pick a pair in a light or eye-catching color, and with a decent heel. Black riding boots really are wintry-looking, no matter what you pair them with …
Outfit 4: Motorcycle boots, Leggings, and a Tunic
It doesn’t get comfier than this! The tunic can be a short- or long-sleeved one, depending on temperatures.
Outfit 5: Melissa Shoes and a Dress
Even if you fear the resurgence of jelly shoes, you’re likely to give Melissas a pass. Water-repellent plastic, environmentally sound, and utterly adorable, they’d likely make up 80% of my shoe wardrobe if I lived in a rainy part of the world. Pick a closed-toe style, throw on a fab frock, and be done.
Outfit 6: Cropped Pants, Heeled Oxfords, and a Sweater
A cropped trouser will prevent moist and muddy hems. Pick heeled oxfords with interesting detail, and throw a scarf over your cardi for a great finishing touch. This outfit could work with a subtle tight, or with a bare leg.
Outfit 7: Ankle Boots, a Knee-length Skirt, and Tights
Pick a skirt with some flounce to offset the toughness of the boots. Or just pick out a fairly feminine style of ankle boot! If you’re worried about this style of shoe stumpifying you, wear tights in the same shade to elongate your leg.
A few other tips that came to mind as I was assembling these outfits. Maybe they’re the height of obviousness, but just in case:
Carry Your Shoes, Walk in Wellies: If you’ve got fab footwear that you want to wear and are unwilling to sacrifice, just pop them in a tote and pull on your rainboots for your walk. Cute rain boots are still all the rage, so hunting down a great pair shouldn’t be hard.
Embrace Hats and Scarves: Keep that moisture off your neck and head! Find a hat style that works for you, and cash in on the seasonless trendiness of scarves.
Class Up Your Rain Gear: I have to imagine that anyone living in a place where it rains from October to June knows this … but a great umbrella, adorable hat, classic and flattering trench/raincoat, and pair of rainboots you adore are all worthy investments. Find and purchase, and consider cost-per-wear if you select something gorgeous but pricey. These items will get CONSTANT use and are worth spending big for class and quality.
Anyone else out there live amongst the raindrops? How do you stay stylish AND dry when life is one big downpour? Any brands or items, specifically, to recommend?
Image courtesy youngdoo.
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
these are great tips, and the colors you have chosen would brighten up the grayest of days! that plaid dress with the melissa shoes is adorable–not to mention, i am going to go check out the shoes right NOW!
They all are lovely outfits. My favorite is the blue plaid dress.
nice!! I like all the color you threw in there!
Some great tips Sal – or alternatively – just move to Melbourne Australia where we've been in a drought for around 10 years now!
I would rather invest in moving elsewhere than dressing for a rainy season of that length!
great ideas and cuuuuute outfits Sal! I seriously need a pair of Melissa shoes!
I find this really difficult, because the weather in NW Georgia is ultra-weird. We might have a week-long stretch of super-hot weather in the middle of December, or a sudden freezing spell in July. I've gotten up to rain and cold wind and then been uncomfortable and sweaty all day in my rainy-weather clothes because halfway through it got hot and dry. I've pretty much taken to dressing in layers or carrying a layer with me all year round. I have a basic first layer (pants, jeans or a skirt and a top) and then I carry a sweater, a pair of gloves, a hat, and usually an umbrella.
So my advice is basically to shop and dress for versatility. Start with a thin bottom layer and then add a vest, a sweater, mittens, a stylish but warm hat, a scarf. This sounds like a lot to carry around if it's not cold enough to wear it, but you can fold and then roll the stuff up and make a pretty compact little parcel of it, actually.
Great tips! I would just say a really great umbrella and a few pairs of shoes that look better for the rain and aging, I'm thinking like frye campus boots.
Hi there-what a fabulous post, very useful and I love the chosen outfits on offer too!
I tried on a pair of Melissas today. Actually, I probably tried on every pair of heels that ever existed today (and bought none) but the Melissas stood out particularly for the bargainous sale price at £18 and the stunning design. But they KILLED!
Yay for rainy-day fashion! Thanks for posting these, I'll have to bookmark this one for later reference.
My #1 problem with rainy day fashion is that I live in Portland and walk everywhere. Rain + mud + heels + my clumsiness = UNFORTUNATE HAPPENINGS.
So… there's that. I really just need to invest in a super cute pair of rain boots, I think.
Those Melissa shoes are an awesome idea! It rains a lot in the UK but I am still never prepared for rainy days. Boots are a must and of course a pretty umbrella!
Eeee! Thank you! I have to say, I do have at least four trench coats that I can think off of the top of my head–navy, tan, black, and a pale blue-grey. I love your ideas.
Vancouver rains constantly about 8/9 months out of the year. Boots and light jackets are my essentials, as well as a good quality mini umbrella that can be tucked into a purse. Avoid canvas shoes (Vans or Chucks) because they'll leave you with wet feet. Oh, and a spray-on stain and water repellant will do wonders in keeping new suede and leather shoes looking sharp.
Your outfits here are terrific recommendations Sal! I can definitely see myself working some of these looks in my rainy hometown.
wellingtons! uber cute for rainy days.
Several years ago I was at a women's business luncheon in Seattle and was surprised to hear the women at my table bragging about how long it had been since they owned an umbrella. I guess it's a badge of honor there. I love pretty umbrellas but they can be a pain to carry around when it's just raining off and on, as I think it does much of the time there.
Here in SF we are in a drought so I'd love to need my umbrella about now.
I love the outfit with the mary janes and tights.
Thank you so much! That's exactly what I need for rainy Germany
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I love wearing a roll neck jumper under dresses in the winter!
I almost always wear a skirt when it's raining, so it's a good think that it only rains in the spring summer and fall here. This helps avoid wet hems. I usually go for my big rain coat, which can be worn over a bag need be, so that my nice bags don't get ruined by the rain. I also wear a wide brimmed, heavy canvas hat to protect hair and make up.
Here in New Zealand it is crazy-mad changeable and often windy too. Gumboots (rainboots) are the go – cute fun ones in colours or prints. Last winter I had some AMAZING boots with snakes, skulls and roses on them (they eventually died).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22775726@N04/2671697985/
I need both winter-weight and summer-weight raincoats with a HOOD – because an umbrella in the wind is not worth the heartache. And I agree that skirts/dresses are a better bet if it's not too cold.
I am in love with outfit two
I really do think bright colours make rainy days so much happier. Jeans tucked into boots is somewhat of my go to look for really rainy days! I guess it's about finding the length of boots that work for you. Haha and my red wellies are my favourite for rain 
Sounds like she lives in Britain! Although this year has been better than average, so I mustn't grumble!
Great tips. For me, ankle boots are a great idea (although I often give up on practicality and just end up wet and soggy). They look great, keep your feet dry, and mean you can wear cool tights and skirts in the wet weather.
Sal, this is great awesome stupendous advice! I dig it. Love that you injected color into a rainy day
How about wellies with denim shorts? The look is very beachy, yet keep your feet dry!
One other thing to add is a fantastic trench coat. I have a red one and it really stands out in the rain!
ah awesome tips.. i really want some wellies though!
Wonderful! Look at those purple boots?! Lovely, hope to see more of this. Have a great day.=D
A Writers Den
The Brown Mestizo
A couple of years ago, although I do not live in a rain-heavy climate, I made the choice to buy raingear: a black thigh-length slicker (interior black-and-white houndstooth), a classic black trench, a real umbrella (again black), and a couple of rain hats. My next purchase will be new wellies. I am also a big fan of scarves as scarves: using them on my head in the most traditional styling. On rainy days, it makes me happy to open the closet and see options I can use to cover up in style.
outfit number 7 rocks! love the colors!
Awesome tips, Sal! (As usual, you beautiful, brilliant, bodacious blogger, you!)