April Showers

The weather here in the Midwest during the past week has been absolutely dreary!

It rained almost every day this week, and the temperatures hardly made it above 45. Yesterday, there were snow flurries! 

So. Crazy.

Getting out of bed each day has already been a struggle (hello, senioritis!), but the dreary and cold weather has made it even harder. 

It's been hard to decide what to wear these days. I've been hesitant to move my corduroys and thick sweaters to the back of my closet, because the weather has been FREEZING for the middle of April.

Basically, over the past week, I've been living in my trenchcoat, a light scarf, and rainboots. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to highlight some must have rain gear to survive these April Showers!

Essential #1: Footwear

Every woman should have at least one pair of rain-appropriate footwear in her closet. Whether its wellington boots, bean boots, or Sporto clogs, these are essential for surviving the wet spring and saving your other beloved footwear from water and mud damage.

I took this picture yesterday, when the sun finally decided to shine. It's proof that April Showers do bring May Flowers! Pictured are my Coach Wellies from a few seasons ago, and my sister's Ralph Lauren boots from a few seasons ago as well.

For wet and rainy days, I personally prefer wellies. They keep your feet dry, and keep your pant hems from becoming a muddy mess. When paired with socks, they are also relatively warm. I received the Coach wellies pictured above for Christmas a few years ago, and wear them frequently. I love the fun design as it adds pizazz and personality to my boring school uniform. 

Here are some of my top picks for Wellington boots

~Hunter~

Although I do not have a pair of hunters myself, many of my classmates have them and love them. They are definitely a classic, and when purchased in a neutral color like black or navy, will keep your feet dry for many years to come. I plan on purchasing a pair at some point during college. They can also be worn as snow boots if you buy the fleece liner socks. Perfect!

~Target~

If you are looking for a more affordable pair of rainboots, Target has you covered! Their website has tons of fun styles to choose from. I think this is a great option if you want to buy a fun, brighter, less neutral pair of rainboots. The price is just right, and you won't feel guilty if you tire of them after a season or two. However, they also have great neutral options. I don't know about you, but this whale pair is calling my name!

~Burberry~

I most definitely do not have a pair of Burberry wellies; however, they are definitely on my dream wishlist. I love the shorter height of this pair. The classic check pattern matches a variety of outfits and colors. 

I also love these rainboots from Joules, Ralph Lauren, Sperry Topsider, and Coach.

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Another  option for wet weather footwear are duck boots, moccasins, or flats. Here are my recommendations: 

~Bean Boots~

I have the six-inch pair in brown. These have served me well on damp and chilly days. They are best worn with smart wool socks!

~Sporto Moccasins~

I don't own a pair of these myself, but I have considered adding them to my wardrobe. I have occasionally seen them at TJ Maxx. Easy to slip on, these moccasins are perfect for light rain or damp days. Cute with skinny jeans!

~Ballet Flats~

What's that you say? You just can't ditch your cute little ballet flats in favor of rain boots to keep your feet dry? No worries! Rainwear manufacturer Chooka has come out with these adorable little flats that are made of waterproof rubber. Adorable!

Essential #2: Outerwear

It's a no brainer that waterproof outerwear is an essential in every woman's wardrobe. (Unless you live in an absolutely arid climate where it never rains.)

The most obvious choice for many when it comes to a rain jacket is a classic trench coat. This is a great choice, but there are other options as well.

Here are my picks for waterproof outerwear:

The Trench

I bought this trench coat from GAP right around the time I graduated from eighth grade. It has served me well over the past few years, and I have been living in it during the past week. I plan to add a classic khaki version to my wardrobe soon.

~Gap~

Khaki is as classic as it gets for a trench. I love the buckles on the sleeves on this one from Gap.

~Calvin Klein~

 

I love the bright hue of this Calvin Klein trench. 

~Ellen Tracy~

This version by Ellen Tracy is a bit shorter than traditional trenches, but just as functional. You can't go wrong with basic black. 

I also love these trenches by Tommy Hilfiger, Boden, Zara, and Target.

The North Face RDT Rain Jacket

I received one of these rain jackets for my birthday freshman year. It has been one of the best ever investments clothing wise. This jacket has accompanied me on so many vacations, from kayaking in Alaska to hiking in Hawaii, this jacket is extremely versatile. It is the perfect light jacket but with the added plus of being waterproof. It's easy to pack and easy to wash. I have this style in white, and I wear it constantly. 

My sisters and I found our North Face jackets came in handy on our trip abroad to Europe in 2011. Here we are pictured near Buckingham Palace on a particularly wet day in London.

What type of rain gear do you currently have in your wardrobe? What is your preferred type of footwear to wear in the rain? Let me know in the comments!

Stay Stlyish, Stay Classy, Be Creative

Emily