There’s little more depressing than waking up to a gloomy day. It’s no wonder that when it’s dark, dank, and dreary, most of us slip into a pair of comfortable sweats before making the trek across campus to class. Bad weather can drain the style from even the most trend-conscious fashionista, but it doesn’t have to be that way, collegiettes! With these sample outfits and tips for looking cute even in the rain and snow, you’ll never fall victim to the dreaded yoga pants and hoodie combo again!
The Winternship – Layering
When it comes to winter’s rain and snow, you have two main goals: staying dry and keeping warm. Want to be successful in doing so? Don’t throw on a heavy sweater and raincoat and head out the door—the key is to layer your pieces. Outer layers keep you warm and dry, but inner layers, which can be stripped off in the office, keep you comfortable no matter where you are. New York-based stylist Sharon Haver says layering gives you a crisp, professional look when done right, but the key to effective layering is to “create a longer visual line with your clothing to look leaner, less bulky, and polished.” You want to look put-together and be cozy, not like you just threw on all your clothes to brave the cold of a winter day, especially if you’re heading off to work. When done right, layering looks crisp, chic, and cool, making it perfect for a day at the office, a business-casual work lunch, or any event when you want to look professional.
According to Haver, a blouse tucked into a high-waisted skater skirt draws in the waist, and a knit cardigan adds warmth and smoothes your silhouette, creating a continuous line from your shoulder to the slight flare of your skirt. Opaque black tights are effortlessly stylish and keep your legs covered, a must on those cold dreary days. Haver emphasizes that successful layering draws the eye up and down the vertical line of the body, something achieved with the buckle detail on these Burberry rain boots, especially with slouchy oxblood socks scrunched above them. Top off your look with a classic peacoat in eternally chic and slimming black and you’re ready to brave the rain or snow—just don’t forget your umbrella at home!
Get the look:
Topshop faux-leather skater skirt, $76.00
Forever 21 high-low blouse, $19.80
Sparkle and Fade Cardigan, $29.00
HUE Opaque Black Tights, $13.50
Asos Waffle Socks, $5.28
Bogs Drake Buckle Rain Boots, $135.00
Buffalo by David Bitton Double-Breasted Peacoat, $51.00 (on sale!)
Casual Class Day – Practical Accessories
A dreary day of classes isn’t the best time to break out your fave statement necklace and dangling chandelier earrings. When the weather is less-than-stellar, this is the time to break out the pieces that make the most of fashion and function: a grungy-cool beanie, edgy fingerless gloves that double as mittens, and an easy circle scarf for warmth.
With an outfit based on jeans, Haver suggests a loose knit to create visual interest as well as hide a not-quite six pack (hey, we all pack on the pounds in winter!). The wider stripes and pocket update a classic French staple (the striped sweater), and add an urban sensibility to something usually crisp and refined. Although the hat and scarf shown here are black, Philadelphia-based stylist Tracey Evelyn Reed says that hats and scarves are a great way to be adventurous during bad weather. She advises dreary days are the best days to add a dash of color to your outfit. The pearlescent blue rain boots are eye-catching but not loud, and the olive green anorak (complete with cinched waist, to give you some shape) keeps you warm and dry while simultaneously adding some military flair to your look.
Get the look:
Wet Seal Fashionista Skinny Jean, $15.00 (on sale!)
SheInside Blue Striped Sweater, $29.00 (on sale!)
H&M Tube Scarf, $17.95
Asos Texting Mittens, $35.18 (on sale!)
Burton Truckstop Beanie, $12.95
Armani Jeans Rain Boots in Concrete, $160.00
George Anorak Jacket, $26.00
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Date Night – The Sweater Dress
The awesome thing about a dress is that once you’ve put one on, you automatically look like you’ve put some effort into your look. In reality, it’s just about the easiest thing you could wear—after all, it’s practically a whole outfit in just one piece! Easy, comfortable, and feminine, sweater dresses are perfect for a date night when you want to impress that special someone. Pick a thick knit and pair with tights and boots and you’ve got a winter-ready ensemble, whether it’s raining, snowing, or even sleeting outside.
Fashion stylist Anna Villaruel recommends the sweater dress look, but insists that the single most important factor in choosing a sweater dress is deciding on a cut that will flatter your body type. According to Villaruel, the most slimming, flattering styles are those with details that encourage the eye to move vertically, not horizontally, like cowl- and V-necks. Beat-up motorcycle boots add edge to an otherwise simple dress-and-tights combo, and are a practical choice—you won’t care if they get a little wet. Add a little drama with a sleek, textured riding coat and you’re good to go.
Get the look:
Old Navy V-neck sweater dress, $22.97 (on sale!)
GOGO Tights in Winter White, $24.00
Vic Matie Motorcycle Boots, $414.74
Raxevsky riding jacket, $149.72
The Umbrella
Bad weather is a drag, and what better way to brighten your day than with a cheery umbrella! Pick one in a crazy color or print that you love, and you’ll smile every time you fish it out of your bag, even if you’re about to make the ten-minute walk from your dorm to your chem lab.
“Who says an umbrella has to be all one color?” asks Reed. Kick your look up a notch with an umbrella in a bright, punchy color or a cool artistic print. Felix Rey is known for designing cute, transparent umbrellas with fun details to brighten up your day. Check out ModCloth and Dorothy Perkins for bright colored umbrellas with fun details.
Get the Look:
Felix Rey ‘Rain Rain Go Away’, $75.00
Felix Rey ‘Singing in the Rain’, $65.00
Aspinal of London Flower Umbrella, $220.83
ModCloth ‘Rays the Bar’, $17.99
Bloomsbury Spider Web Umbrella, $32.12 (but, unfortunately, currently out of stock)
Dorothy Perkins Frill Umbrella, $14.00
It’s time to retire your sweats and oversized tees! Take these tips to heart and incorporate them into your dreary day go-to outfits. Never again will you duck your head down when you see that campus cutie you’ve been crushing on a rainy day—what’s the point when you look this good?