rainy day blues

hi, friends!

hope that everyone is enjoying their spring and had a wonderful easter or passover! we have had some really beautiful days in nashville, but also quite a bit of rain. that’s what made me think that this post lent itself nicely to a discussion on how to dress for rainy days (besides the obvious hunter-boots-and-jeans) when maybe you have to look a little more stylish or presentable, but also want to be practical. i know that for me personally, rainy days in springtime can really throw a wrench into my plans, because the weather is often cooler than the sunny days and it can make it difficult for me to know how to dress. hopefully this post can take some of the fuss out of getting dressed on less-than-sunny days, making your rainy days a little simpler and a little less awful.

hat – janessa leone; jacket – free people {old, similar here}; thermal – free people; belt – j.crew {similar here}; jeans – rag & bone; boots – & other stories {sold out, similar here}

it was raining the day delaney and i had decided to shoot, so i had to skip some outfits that we’d planned, but this one was perfect. there’s always something edgy and chic about wearing all black, so having an arsenal of black basics like black skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and black leather jacket (and, let’s be real, white basics as well) that you absolutely adore can get you through many seasons and occasions. it makes getting dressed a no-brainer when you’re struggling to come up with something. distressed denim is really hot right now, and black skinnies give every look a bit of rock ‘n’ roll. these days, you can get a good pair of denim without spending a lot (this pair from free people is a great value). try to buy a pair with a mid- or high-rise, though, as these are more universally flattering as well as more en vogue.

when i’m dressing for rainy weather, i generally don’t want any exposed skin unless it’s mid-summer and wildly humid, and i definitely want to keep the hem of my bottoms off of the ground. those of you who wear flip flops with pants in the rain really need to think a little more when you’re making your morning clothing selections. or, at least make sure to check the weather. obviously, you can go the easy route by wearing jeans and tucking them into a pair of wellies, but they’re not the most versatile of footwear choice and sometimes you may not be able to bring an extra pair of shoes. i also don’t find them to be particularly comfortable, either, so often times i avoid wearing them if i can. cuffed boyfriend jeans with an ankle boot would work well, but i generally opt for a skinny pant so that my ankles aren’t bare. it might not be your first instinct, but a great pair of black leather ankle boots really can get you through a rainy day, especially if you treat them with a water repellant (i really like frye’s weatherproofing creme — it’s easy to apply, is conditioning, and is a great value). if you are looking for a new pair, go for something in a more pointed toe, with a chunkier stacked heel. these will look current, give you a bit of height, but still have great traction in most weather.

this day was a bit cooler than most spring days, so my jacket is wool and fully lined and therefore may be a bit too warm, but you could easily sub in something more lightweight. try a military-inspired parka — it’s always fresh for spring weekends and exceedingly practical. or, for a more dressed-up option, choose a versatile and classic trench in camel or olive for the quintessential summer raincoat. both are great additions to the mature wardrobe and would enhance your rainy day style.