What do you wear when it rains?

[ConfusedParticle]

I don't drive (am learning) so walk quite a bit. I have recently become tired of tight, skinny jeans (and all jeans in general) and prefer looser trousers or long skirts.

Having trouble working out how to keep dry in cooler months.

I have a maxi length navy wool coat which is great but not in a downpour! There's a fair bit of rain where I am, so I get around 10 crisp, autumnal days out of it per year :(

I can see me wearing leggings with everything just so I can cover up in my waterproofs. I always seem to dress for hiking, since the weather generally bullies me out of my cashmere and loose wool stuff.

Baggier styles make it harder to wear wellies, taller boots, etc. But if I am honest, living in the north of England I'm wondering if long flowy coats and trousers are unrealistic.....

Looser jeans over ankle boots and a navy mac? I am in the SE though!

Long flowy coats are for dressing up when you're not walking anywhere.

My current summer coat is a joules rain jobby. Lighter winter coat is barbour coastal - properly waterproof and windproof but cold below zero. Serious (north east) winter coat is a heavy, oversized, knee length berghaus number. I have a, dressy coat that gets worn about once every 3 years.

Seasalt coats are amazingly waterproof, I have one that is lightweight and one that is warmer for cold weather.
Both are good with leggings/trainers or jeans/boots

A gaberdine

In winter I wear short skirts with opaque tights, and a hooded parka, on wet days - I just bought a long duvet coat for this year. I have about a 30 minute walk each way for work (and from next week expect to be going in a couple of days a week) and find wet tights dry out quickly. In summer I wear a lot of midi skirts and dresses, but tend to put them away in autumn. Wet flappy fabric is horrible! I’m in Scotland and it is VERY wet.

I like the idea of short skirts, and long ones, but can't see them working with my north face rain coat!

An actual waterproof coat with skirts seems odd, although I can see it working if the coat is longer length.

I WFH so dress fairly casual but really like styles like at Toast, etc, and can't see how to make it work in wet winter weather.

Knee length boots are my go to. Over leggings and a long shirt or with a midi skirt and tights with a jumper.

Then an oversized raincoat. Mine is from Kin by JL. They have them in every season. They're roomy and comfy, and have massive pockets.

I have a long oversized belted trench from Mackintosh. It’s waterproof and comes down to my mid calf.

Then I wear jeans and boots - often DMs but if it’s really wet I have these wellies www.hunterboots.com/gb/en_gb/womens-ankle-boots/womens-refined-stitch-detail-chelsea-boots/black/7280 Which look more like boots than wellies.

Same as a pp said, shorter skirts with tights as the tights don't feel damp the same trousers do. I have some Chelsea boots that are pretty good at staying dry, too. Seasalt coats are good. I don't really worry about how it all looks on a rainy day as I don't think anyone will have time to look, they all have the same challenge of getting somewhere in horrible weather.

I'd say if you don't drive invest in a decent long waterproof coat, either modern Rains/Protected Species/Uniqlo or traditional wax cotton/Drizabone style. If long enough it should mostly protect your trousers. And some good boots and wax/spray to waterproof them.

I think I’m going to be back in skinny jeans come the autumn and wetter weather (though plenty of rain now too 🙁)
I normally wear jeans and boots and a raincoat when it’s raining (my favourite coat is a navy Ilse Jacobsen one). And a waterproof, padded coat in winter when it’s cold.
I love skirts and dresses and love them with tights and boots in winter but also hate flappy, wet clothing when it rains. I haven’t found a suitable waterproof coat to cover midi/long dresses completely either so will definitely by checking out any suggestions here

I’ve just treated myself to a longer length waterproof coat from Rain Sisters. I feel very glam in it and it’s perfect for wearing with skirts and dresses. I bought it through Wolf & Badger because I was nervous about incurring import charges, but you can buy direct from their website. Pricey but excellent quality and thoroughly waterproof - none of this ‘shower proof’ nonsense that so many raincoats are.

thanks for sharing!

Ive been living in Cumbria previously, and learned quite quickly to give up on my skirts and dresses, unless mid summer.

Even adding thermals beneath digit solve the freezing damp issue within 10 mins of standing on a train platform. Or just nipping down the lane to the shop.

I started there in cashmere tights, doc Martens, thick dresses and skirts, cashmere jumpers with merino underlayers. You'd think this would be fine. I had a long wool coat and an ankle length waxed Mac with shoulder capes. I WAS FREEZING AND DRENCHED within minutes!

Soon, I was in a very minimal set up of waterproof hiking leggings, one merino base layer and a Rab puffer. Problem solved. It was incredibly anti-style to be honest.
Im a bit further out from the hills now but still rainy and cold most of the year.

didnt, not digit!

This. Stylish, nope. Completely dry, yep

@Shannith

This. Stylish, nope. Completely dry, yep

I love this style! I had one of those coats a while back but it was way too long for me, I wondered whether to get it shortened a few inches but it seemed very difficult to do (those odd straps in the lower hem and the lovely lining might have got damaged).

I have similar garb to @Shannith , you can get varying lengths or maybe get yours taken up?
You really do just need some goes with anything boots and wear a long waterproof, doesn’t matter so much what the rest of your outfit is.

Londoner here so no car and lots of walking to work or as part of journeys.

My favoured option is knee high boots over warm tights and a dress or skirt to knee or higher. Then your whole lower leg is protected from rain, splashing puddles etc.

Then mid thigh to knee length waterproof coat, often from a Scandi brand like Rains, Protected Species or Ilse Jacobsen.

I quite like a rain hat as a hood limits from peripheral vision a bit - again the Scandi brands know how to do it.

And don't forget a reasonably stylish waterproof bag/rucksack like Rains.

If you are walking, you should get warm enough apart from a few absolutely frigid days. If you have to stand still in the cold, like at a bus stop, then I'd suggest a very thin down jacket from a technical brand like Rab or Montane which would go on under your waterproof coat so providing warmth without looking too hikery.

If your feet get freezing - heated insoles!

Some will have seen this before but I'm hugely proud that at 42 I finally have a decent waterproof jacket. Its Rains and definitely does the job having recently been tested in some massive downpours.

I'm not counting my old horse ones as they weren't for for public unlike @Shannith's

Looking at a parka from Didriksons for winter

I think skirts even maxi skirts would be fine if they are thinner material so dry fast as long as you had tights on. In winter I've been wearing military style ankle boots non stop.

@VenusClapTrap

I’ve just treated myself to a longer length waterproof coat from Rain Sisters. I feel very glam in it and it’s perfect for wearing with skirts and dresses. I bought it through Wolf & Badger because I was nervous about incurring import charges, but you can buy direct from their website. Pricey but excellent quality and thoroughly waterproof - none of this ‘shower proof’ nonsense that so many raincoats are.

OMG I now need this coat for no other reason than it's so pretty 🤣

Have a look at the Janelle coat from seasalt as it's super long.

Seasalt isn't my brand of choice but I got a super waterproof coat there about 5 years ago and it still looks new.

A thin down gilet or coat for colder days is a good idea too.

@Sickoffamilydrama

Some will have seen this before but I'm hugely proud that at 42 I finally have a decent waterproof jacket. Its Rains and definitely does the job having recently been tested in some massive downpours.

I'm not counting my old horse ones as they weren't for for public unlike @Shannith's

Looking at a parka from Didriksons for winter

I think skirts even maxi skirts would be fine if they are thinner material so dry fast as long as you had tights on. In winter I've been wearing military style ankle boots non stop.

ooh I love that, thanks for the advice. I have seen one of your images in a different thread today (recalled your user name!) with some high waist jeans with a tie belt, you looked friggin amazing there!

I have had didriksons parkas previously but always needed to shorten the arms.

@cherrypiepie

Have a look at the Janelle coat from seasalt as it's super long.

Seasalt isn't my brand of choice but I got a super waterproof coat there about 5 years ago and it still looks new.

A thin down gilet or coat for colder days is a good idea too.

Im a bit more 'withnail and I' than seasalt. Theyre fantastic for basics though. Ive never had much luck with their coats and jackets

Definitely Rains or Protected Species and I also taste the Rains tote bag for keeping your stuff dry....I have also bought a proofing spray to protect leather boots and it definitely makes a difference

Thanks @ConfusedParticle that is kind the arms are definitely long although I bought an L to XL so I could comfortably fit a jumper and perhaps a jacket underneath. There's no way you could shorten the arms either I don't think without damaging the waterproofing. Although the sleeves are wide enough you can roll them up.
Oh and I have longish arms and usually struggle getting some coats to have long enough arms so if it's long on me then it will be long on most!