Rain days can be frustrating. No matter how much you might want to style up for the day, there's always the nagging feeling at the back of your mind telling you that your outfit will only get ruined by the weather. A couple of adjustments to your ensemble, however, are all you'll need to face that precipitation in fashion. When the weather man announces even the slightest chance of rain, here are some things you may want to bring.
Coat
Yes, you already wear one to work; it's right up there on the office attire list, next to your ID card and regulation necktie. Once the skies get overcast, though, it's a completely new game - and coat - with your wardrobe.
Look for styles that are specifically sold as topcoats. These are typically longer than the usual suit jacket, and would be somewhere between a peacoat and full-on overcoat in terms of length (but either of those styles would work well too). They're worth getting not just because of the extra coverage, but because they're also usually made with a fabric that resists or repels water. It's the perfect piece to shield your shirt and tie ensemble on the foulest of days.
Shopping for a rain-ready coat in the men's section is different from buying a suit. Firstly, everything has to be a little bit bigger because you assume that you're wearing coat, tie and everything else in your office outfit under it. Secondly, you also want to specifically ask for waterproof or water-repellent fabrics, which could include unusual tech textiles.
Go for one in light gray or charcoal, since it's likelier to go with the office ensembles that you decide to pair with it than black. Don't be afraid to buy tech textiles; these are often woven discreetly into the fabric to make them invisible, and are much better at the job.
Boots
What's the point of investing $300 in premium leather wingtips when they're going to get ruined in the next puddle you splash through? Keep your investment safe and that leather away from all the water. Boots are the better idea to avoid wet shoes and soggy socks.
A wide variety of boots can be found in men's fashion, ranging from the dressy boots of last year - practically high-cut office shoes - to the tough and outdoorsy work boots that inspire images of lumberjacks. The ideal boots for walking to work in the rain aren't in that range. Wellington boots, which you can wear over your shoes instead of directly on your socks, should get you to to your cubicle dry and acceptably sharp.
Unfortunately, they're not that advantageous in terms of style. Big, stiff and blocky, the description for a pair reads like one for an old car headed to the junk heap. In function, though, it's the clear leader; you get to your destination with dry feet without having to keep changing footwear.
To maintain your otherwise da fashion coats pper outfit, look for boots with a relatively slim silhouette and a more matte finish. The bigger and shinier your boots are, the cheaper and more generic they'll appear.
Umbrella
Believe it or not, a good number of men still don't have the habit of bringing an umbrella whenever it looks like rain - or any kind of weather for that matter. Even without boots or a coat, an umbrella gives you a very portable and effective first line of rain defense.
It's common sense, really. An umbrella is the most dependable form of protection in any man's rainy day arsenal. They're light and relatively easy to store, so there's no reason not to get one. They can be opened or stored in just a couple of seconds. Best of all, they'll keep your silk office ties from getting dirtied, your shirts from getting soaked and your suit jackets from getting warped by the rain.
Preparation is the key to getting through a rainy day in style. You don't have to have these things on hand 24/7, but know well enough to reach for them once the weather report shows some precipitation coming your way.
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