One of the worst things about April is undoubtedly the endless rain with which we are confronted every morning.
Probably the worst thing about April is dressing for the rain. The first thing to do is to choose your shoes. Personally, I think Wellies are the best, and I would highly recommend investing in a pair if you have yet to do so. They are the only remotely comfortable way to walk in a downpour. For boots, simpler is always better: stick to solids and easy-to-match colors like black and navy. Red can also be very cheerful in the dreary weather if you are not a fan of darks. Steer clear of plaids and patterns, and if you have a multi-colored striped pair, do not wear electric blue pants to match, because you will look like a lollipop, and not in a good way. In my opinion, Hunter is the best brand for rain boots; they come in just about every height and color imaginable, you also receive free socks with your order (and who doesn’t want a free pair of cozy fleece socks?). Marc by Marc Jacobs rain boots are also very comfortable and attractive. In the cold weather, tights are great with rain boots because if it’s really pouring they dry quickly, and they allow you to wear basically anything on top. Once it gets warmer, I think that dark rain boots with brightly colored shorts are adorable. Just make sure your socks aren’t sticking out.
I really would not recommend pairing rain boots with, say, your favorite silk top. There is something undeniably weird about that combination—would you wear rain boots out to a nice dinner? Rainy days are good days for simple outfits. Pleated skirts, monogrammed button downs, or thin v-necks are easy options.
If you’re not a fan of Wellington boots, patent leather flats are a great, water-resistant alternative, and they limit the rest of your outfit far less. Similarly, once it gets warmer, flip-flops are obviously a rain-favorite; I think Havaianas hold up the best, and they come in literally every color.
As for rain jackets, I would once again implore everyone to keep their look simple: orange is not a useful color. However, it is always nice to have a bright color on rainy days; my mother’s old yellow mackintosh is one of my favorite things to wear when it is wet out, and I’ve also seen a number of very cute red ones lately. I think trenches are the most attractive, and they really give a neat, polished air to whatever you’re wearing underneath (unless it’s the clubbing shirt you insist on wearing to class. Like, really?).
Best dressed: Cyril Pietrafesa ’09 for his salmon colored jacket and Liz Spaulding ’08 for her clean-cut rainy day outfits.
