3 hours ago
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Rain in the UK isn’t so much a weather event as it is a national characteristic, from misty drizzle that clings to your hair and glasses to the sudden downpour that soaks you to the bone. The British weather may never lose its talent for inconvenient timing, but that doesn’t have to rob you of your style.
The key to a good wet-weather wardrobe? Incorporating a few pragmatic purchases into your everyday wear (along with prepping what you have already) so that when the heavens inevitably open, at least you’re well armed.
How to look good in wet weather
Consider a city welly
Women’s commando Chelsea boots
Wellies aren’t just for a trip to the Lake District or a weekend at Glastonbury. Picking from the new wave of cropped styles – think a cross between a wellington and a Chelsea boot – is the ideal way to do rainproof dressing, saving you from soggy socks, whether you’re splashing through a muddy field or a rainy city pavement.
Tuck your jeans into your boots
High-rise 90s relaxed jeans
Chocolate brown leather knee-high flat rider boots
Seen on the runways at this year’s Paris fashion week, a knee-high boot concealing a pair of straight-leg jeans (a la Diana, Princess of Wales) is also a practical wet-weather hack. No more damp hems.
Buy a waxed cap
Waxed sports cap
If a shiny hooded cagoule isn’t your bag, try a rainproof cap. This waxed cotton style from classic wet-weather pros Barbour can be stashed in your bag for any damp days, ready to preserve your hair from the frizz.
Get a rainproof bag
MSN bag
Turning up to work with a rain-soaked laptop is never a good start to your day, so it’s essential to get a bag that doesn’t leak.
Spray your suede
Nikwax nubuck and suede proof spray, 125ml
Suede isn’t the first thing you’d reach for on a rainy day, since even the slightest drizzle can leave it looking stained, stiff and discoloured. However, you can keep wearing it all year round with a reliable suede protector. A quick spray of this invisible veil will help to shield your suede from any shower.
Add your own hood
Olive waxed hood
Waterproof hooded scarf
The more hair you have, the harder dressing for the rain can be, which isn’t helped by the absence of hoods on many womenswear styles. If your jacket doesn’t have a hood, why not accessorise with one? This generously sized waxed hood from London-based brand Plümo is the whimsical solution to keeping your newly blow-dried hair looking good, no matter the forecast – channelling the late Queen Elizabeth in all the right ways. Or try this cheaper hooded scarf from Etsy to keep your hair neat and dry.
Keep it short
Arch tapered jeans
Wet denim is famously difficult to dry, so swerve the bell-bottoms for this pair from Cos. If you need some extra rain protection, you can turn up the hems a few times for a more tapered fit.
Upgrade your raincoat
Shower-resistant raincoat
A rain-resistant jacket doesn’t always have to be boring, and you definitely don’t need to sacrifice your personal style for practicality these days. This checked coat from British brand Damson Madder balances functionality with cool thanks to its stylish balloon sleeves and a flattering drawn-in waist.
Get into gorpcore
XT-6 Gore-Tex shoes
Gorpcore, unsurprisingly, is the ultimate wet-weather style inspiration. Merging practicality with urban cool, these trainers from Salomon are fit for both the Cotswolds and the city. Made with a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, this trainer will hold up against a rainstorm.
Go glossy with patent leather
Lacquered faux leather longline jacket
If a classic raincoat silhouette isn’t quite your style, then patent leather may be your new best friend. Due to the high-gloss finish, this unlikely rainproof jacket will preserve your distinctive taste while fighting off the drizzle.
Charlotte Gornall is a fashion assistant and writer at the Guardian
