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Dressing for The Rain

April showers not only bring May flowers, but they also bring the challenge of staying dry during this first full month of spring. Now, you may think rain gear is purely functional, or that rainy day outfits are boring. But, there are stylish ways to dress for wet days. Of course, we’re in a time of social distancing and working from home, so you’re probably not leaving the house all that much. For days when you are running essential errands, having to go into work, or simply taking a walk, here are some go-to outfit tips.

For early spring, when it can still be quite chilly, I love a bright-color puffer jacket. These types of coats are usually water-repellent, are super comfy, and now come in more fitted silhouettes. In either a rich, bold shade like orange or something more romantic like lavender, a colorful puffer can bring some much-needed cheer to a dreary gray day. I recommend Uniqlo’s Ultra-Light Down Jacket or Eddie Bauer’s Cirrus Light Down Jacket. You can pair them easily with jeans and rain boots or go for a sporty look with a coordinated tracksuit and sneakers.

As the weather warms up, you can switch your puffer out for a more standard raincoat, with a hood that hits mid-thigh. If you have a more preppy aesthetic, check out J.Crew’s Perfect Rain Jacket in a variety of spring-ready pastels, functional snaps at the cuff, and drawcord at the waist. For something more adventurous, there’s H&M’s Hooded Raincoat in leopard print with snap fasteners, side pockets, and raglan-type sleeves. For the truly adventurous, as in you’re going on an adventure in the great outdoors, try REI’s Outdoor Research Helium Jacket. Any hooded raincoat will go great with cropped pants, like culottes or ankle-length trousers.

On days that are more drizzly than downpour-ish, you can go with a raincoat alternative like a leather or denim jacket. I prefer the classic biker style, but there are more trendy options for leather, like oversized blazers or sleek moto jackets. Nordstrom has a variety of leather outerwear across a wide range of price points. No matter the style, a leather jacket will give any outfit a bit more edge, so feel free to pair with something super casual, like leggings, T-shirts, and sneakers. Or, wear it over a more romantic look to toughen up a floral mid-length dress and ballet flats.

For denim jackets, you can pair them with a baseball or bucket hat in lieu of an umbrella, and duck boots for a quick walk on a misty morning. Gap’s Icon Denim Jacket is perfect for damp spring days; it also comes in cropped and oversized versions if you want either a fitted or boxier silhouette. Either way, you go, be sure to balance out your look by pairing skinnier cut trousers with the looser style jacket. On the flip side, pair a cropped jean jacket with higher-waisted and flared leg pants.

Let’s talk about shoes. Duck boots, rain boots, waterproof Chelsea style boots, sneakers, they all can be functional and fashionable on rainy days. I’m a huge fan of Lands’ End duck boots, and all three current styles are on sale! If you’re looking to add some quirk in your step, check out ModCloth’s Splashing Around rain boots in both a fox print and bee pattern. For a basic black boot, Zappos has Madewell’s Chelsea rain boots, which come with rear pull tabs and elastic goring for easy on-and-off. If you’re in the market for a more athletic/high-performance rain shoe, Indestructible Shoes’ Ryder Sneaker has your ticket. Made from Kevlar, these tough, yet lightweight kicks come in black, grey, green, and pink, and are also on sale!

In general, when outfitting for wet weather, pick your outerwear and shoe combo, then build the rest of your look around it. Even if that look is just sweats, a bright raincoat, and shiny boots, it will bring a bit of polish and maybe elevate your spirits during cloudy weather and uncertain times.

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