12 Rainy Day Outfit Ideas to Brighten Up Moody Fall Days

No matter how much planning you put into a fantastic outfit, sometimes the day’s weather gets in the way. Seasonal transitions bring unpredictable bouts of rain and heavy wind, which certainly isn’t ideal for date night or a weekend afternoon out and about. When storm clouds roll in, we swap our studded Mary Janes for trusted rain boots and our boho-chic jackets for more sensible waterproofed versions—but that doesn’t mean your overall ensemble needs to be boring or gloomy. Read: The category is squarely practical, with an undercurrent of fashion-forward details. Ahead, discover 12 outfits to wear when your weather app forecasts rainy conditions, complete with styling swaps and product picks to match.

Red-y for Anything

Gloomy weather got you down? Whenever overcast skies are in the forecast, banish any dreary vibes with a punchy palette of vibrant reds. To elevate your mood even more, try following in Rosalía’s lead by tossing on merch from one of your favorite artists. The only thing missing is a coordinating Spotify playlist.

Loud Luxury

In case you haven’t heard, this autumn’s approach to luxury is dialed up to full volume. To achieve this vibe, don opulent accessories—like gold hoops and a dreamy hair scrunchie—while wrapped in a cozy, oversized sweater.

Sporty Shorts

We hadn’t really considered pairing athletic micro-shorts with a faux leather jacket—until we saw this genius pairing on 13-time Grammy nominee Reneé Rapp. To make her bold look a bit more wearable for a night on the town, try pairing a standard pair of striped shorts with a black tank top and structured leather shirt jacket.

Shades of Wine

Want a peek into our Pinterest feeds? We can guarantee you’ll find rich shades of cherry red, Bordeaux, maroon, and wine all across our moodboards this fall. For the cloudiest days of the season, we’re taking inspiration from Da’Vine Joy Randolph to fully lean into this color’s versatility with a head-to-toe approach.

Polished Prep

It’s tough to go wrong with an all-black ensemble under a dependable trench coat, especially when the weather takes a turn for the worst. Brave the rain with a protective jacket and a wide headband, which keeps your hair pulled out of your face while darting outside during a rainstorm. (Consider this your reminder to also stash a protective satin or silk scarf in your tote for when the rain picks up.)

Vibrant Details

Consider adding a dose of electric cobalt to your rainy day attire. Here, Junia—ethereal jazz musician Laufey’s equally talented twin—styles a textured jacket with Bermuda shorts and tall boots in a contrasting camel hue. (We’d recommend waterproofing suede boots with a quick treatment spray to extend the piece’s longevity.)

Durable Denim

Trench coats are already a wardrobe staple, but an unexpected fabric levels up this classic silhouette. Choose a thick denim version to protect your outfit underneath—which includes a pair of jeans in a similar wash, a neutral printed dress, and colorful sunglasses. We’re awarding fashion points for both practicality and style.

Blissful Blazer

If you’re craving the coziness of a lounge set but are contractually obligated to trudge to the office, try recreating that WFH comfort with an oversized blazer silhouette and coordinating pieces in soft, buttery fabrics. Jeans are optional here, but we’d recommend strategically choosing an elastic-blend denim (over a 100% cotton composition) for ultimate stretch and comfort.

Playful Prints

Torrential downpours are no match for a poised (and perfectly on-trend) raincoat. You already know that the leopard print trend is in full swing this fall, and this practical-yet-stylish outerwear captures the playfully chic nature of the print.

Mismatched Athleisure

Princess Diana might have coined the sweatshirt-and-bike-shorts combo, but we’re proposing a dressier take on her quintessentially sporty look. Instead of tossing on your well-worn college varsity sweatshirt, try swapping it for a structured Fair Isle sweater and color-coordinating shorts.

Laid-Back Basics

If the weather app is projecting a light drizzle, you’ll want to be prepared for a little fall of rain during your plans without going over-the-top. Here, Sofia Richie Grainge demonstrates the ideal formula for unpredictable autumn days: A classic beanie (preferably satin-lined), a modern brown leather jacket, light-wash jeans with the slightest hint of wear, and sturdy platform boots.

Cozy Combo

Temperatures are dropping, which means that afternoon rain showers are also getting chillier and chillier. Embody a cool-girl attitude (while still staying warm) with an early aughts essential: the velour jacket. Just as Selena Gomez does here, try pairing a thick zip-up with a saturated orange sweater and coordinating footwear.