1. Compact, sturdy umbrella
David Marcu via Unsplash
No matter where you are during the fall season, you’ll need a sturdy umbrella, there’s no doubt about it. The weather can flip on you in a matter of minutes. You’ll walk outside in the morning and it’ll be 55 degrees and pouring rain, but then by the time you come back outside, it’s 75 degrees and there’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s happened before, and you have to be prepared.
Oh, and your umbrella absolutely needs to be sturdy. You don’t want to be that person on the sidewalk caught in the middle of a storm with your umbrella turned inside out. Not only do you not have an umbrella for the rest of the day, but you’ve made a fool of yourself in front of everyone around you!
Another perfect trait you should look for in an umbrella is whether or not it’s compact. Carrying a golf umbrella by hand around campus isn’t necessarily the most efficient. Especially when balancing papers, coffee, and anything else campus might be throwing at you! We suggest opting for a collapsible one that can easily fit in your backpack or small bag! It’ll be so much easier to carry and you can whip it out quickly when you feel that first drop of rain.
2. A Trendy Rain Jacket
Looking cute and staying dry? Count me in.
There are so many different types of rain jackets that you can choose from… so how do you even begin to narrow them down? I always have 2 rain jackets on hand. 1 is for the days that it’s raining so hard that you don’t care about how you look, and the other is for the light rain days that you still want to look trendy. There are cheap options out there, so scour your local thrift shop and find the best fit for you! You can also find some good deals at outlet malls or on clearance racks, which is where I bought both of mine!
3. Duck Boots
Zach Reiner via Unsplash
I cannot stress these boots enough. I live in them during the fall and winter seasons, they basically become part of my body. They are perfect for rainy days since they are waterproof on the bottom and you can pair them with a pair of leggings or jeans and a cute sweater! For snowy weather, they’re large enough that you can throw a pair of cozy wool socks underneath and you’ll be nice and toasty all day long!
I personally love the Bean Boots made by L.L. Bean, but I know that Sperry makes ones that are a little less bulky too! And, if you’re not a boot type of person, you can also find slip on shoes! I know people who own these absolutely love them. So, no matter your preference, whether you like taller boots, shorter boots, or shoes, these will be a “weird weather” essential super quickly!
4. Cardigan
Maksym Kaharlytskvi via Unsplash
4. Cardigan
For me, these cute sweaters are great for days that you’re not sure what the weather will bring! They are perfect for layering, and you can easily put a cute graphic tee or tank top underneath. And when the inevitable sun comes out later in the afternoon, you are all set for the rest of the day. When it gets chilly again, just throw your cardigan back on!
I’ve used cardigans so many different times when it gets chillier in the evening, and I swear by them! They’re cuter than a big fluffy jacket, and when the weather is just right, they’re not too heavy or too light. If it’s going to be even chillier, pair your cardigan with a fluffy scarf and a hat and you’ll be warm when walking from building to building!
5. Zip-off pants
Now, I know what you’re thinking. I have my coat, my shoes, and my sweater. What should I do about my pants? It’s too cold in the morning to wear shorts, but it’s too hot in the afternoon to wear jeans. I’ve got the solution for you. Zip-off pants.
I’m sure you’ve seen zip-off pants in hiking and outdoors stores or on Amazon but have always been a little too scared to try them. Well, this weather couldn’t be a better time to give them a go! When you leave in the morning, you have full pants. And when it gets warm and sunny in the afternoon, 2 quick zips and you’re ready to go! They’re the perfect product for this in-between weather, and investing in a pair is definitely worth it.
I’m sure you’re concerned about what people will think of you when you walk around in the morning with a zipper half way through your pantleg, but don’t worry about that. At 8 o’clock in the morning, people are too invested in their coffee to even realize that you’re wearing the coolest pants on campus.