EVELYSS / Guides / Fashion Sense

How to Dress for Rain and Still Look Smart

“Rain doesn't ruin an outfit. Soggy hems and the wrong fabric do. Fix those two things and you can stop dressing as if you gave up on looking good some time in October.”Her take

Which rain jacket looks smartest: trench, parka or wax jacket?

The answer depends on where you're going and how hard it's raining. A trench is the smartest, but most are water-repellent rather than fully waterproof, so they handle showers better than a full afternoon of rain. A plain technical raincoat with taped seams keeps you driest. A wax jacket sits between the two and looks most at home in the country or at the weekend.

• Trench coat: smartest; showers and drizzle; office, city and smart weekend. Choose knee length and belt it.
• Lightweight rain parka or mac: driest; heavy and long rain; commuting and travel. Choose matte, plain and hip length or longer, with no contrast zips.
• Wax jacket: smart casual; steady rain and wind; country and weekend. Needs re-waxing, and fresh wax can rub off on pale clothes and car seats.
• Dark wool coat with an umbrella: smart; light drizzle only; office and evening. Sheds a little rain but soaks through in a downpour.
• Cape or poncho: for festivals and walks only; it rarely looks smart in town.

What hem lengths stay dry in the rain?

Wet hems are what make you look as if you've been caught out, because water wicks up from the pavement and leaves a dark band on the bottom few centimetres. Keep fabric off the ground.

Cropped or ankle-length trousers, straight-leg styles that end above the top of the shoe, and slim trousers tucked into boots all stay dry. A midi skirt worn with knee-high boots is one of the most elegant rainy-day combinations, because the boot covers the part of the leg that gets splashed.

Save floor-skimming wide-leg trousers and long flared jeans for dry days. They collect water and grime within a few streets.

Which fabrics don't show rain marks?

Some fabrics show every drop as a dark spot that dries unevenly. Others shed water or hide it. On a wet day, dress from the second list.

• Shows water: silk, satin, suede, nubuck, pale linen, light-wash denim and pale cotton.
• Hides water: dark wool, tightly woven cotton gabardine, polyester crepe, knitwear, smooth leather, coated fabrics and busy prints.
• Dries badly: heavy cotton denim and corduroy stay damp for hours.
• Dries quickly: fine merino, polyester blends and smooth polyester linings.

Which shoes look smart in the rain?

Smooth leather or rubber boots with a rubber sole are the answer. Leather Chelsea boots and lace-up ankle boots look smart and give you grip on wet pavements, while knee-high leather boots pair best with skirts.

Avoid suede, which spots and stains, and smooth leather soles, which can be slippery on wet stone. Ballet flats and thin-soled trainers let water in at the first puddle.

How do you keep hair and make-up together in the rain?

Put your hair up before you leave rather than trying to rescue it when you arrive. A sleek low bun or a low ponytail survives drizzle and wind far better than loose blow-dried hair. A little smoothing cream on the lengths helps with humidity frizz.

For make-up, use waterproof mascara, set the base lightly with powder, and choose a long-wear lip so you don't arrive with a smudge. A hat or a hood protects your hair more reliably than an umbrella in wind.

What should you carry on a rainy day?

A compact umbrella in a solid dark colour looks smarter than a giant golf umbrella or a novelty print, and it's easier to manage on a busy pavement. Choose a bag in smooth leather or coated canvas, which wipe clean, rather than suede or straw.

If your day is long, a spare pair of tights or socks in your bag is a small luxury. A folded tote can also cover your handbag in a sudden downpour.

What does a smart rainy-day outfit look like?

Each formula uses the same three rules: an outer layer that covers your hips, hems that stay off the ground, and fabrics that hide the weather.

• Office: knee-length trench, navy tailored trousers cropped at the ankle, fine-knit jumper, leather Chelsea boots, compact black umbrella.
• Weekend in town: lightweight parka, dark straight-leg jeans tucked into ankle boots, a chunky knit, a coated tote.
• Country weekend: wax jacket, slim trousers, a knit roll neck, short rubber boots, a wool scarf.
• Evening: dark wool coat, a midi skirt in crepe, knee-high leather boots, a small leather bag, and an umbrella you can close at the door.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Cover your hips, keep hems off the pavement, wear fabrics that hide water, put your hair up before you leave, and carry a dark compact umbrella.

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