What should you check for in a rainy day outfit? Seven ideas to make men’s outfits comfortable and stylish

Dressing for a rainy day is not completed by adding waterproof items. What is important is to understand where the clothes tend to get wet, where they tend to get stuffy, and what happens to make them look drab. In other words, it is necessary to consider both “choosing the right items” and “coordinating” rather than simply selecting waterproof items for a rainy day. In this article, we will organize the points to be conscious of in men’s coordination on rainy days along two axes.

Two important axes in rainy day coordination

The first thing to keep in mind is to separate “what to choose” and “how to combine”. Even if you choose highly functional rainwear and waterproof shoes, if the hem of your pants is shaped to get wet easily, you will feel uncomfortable on your feet, and your rainy day coordination will not be a success. Even if the color match and the overall silhouette of the outfit are perfect, if even the inside of the shoes are wet, the mood will go downhill. When dressing for a rainy day, first determine the functions required for each item, such as outerwear, shoes, pants, and innerwear, and then arrange the color scheme and silhouette so that it looks natural as street clothes. If these two steps are taken into consideration, it should be possible to achieve a good balance between the three requirements of ” not getting wet,” “not getting stuffy,” and “not looking tacky.

Axis 1 of a rainy day coordinatePoints for choosing the right items for a rainy day

The first thing to consider when dressing for a rainy day is which items to use to counteract rain and humidity. For perfect protection, you must not only avoid rain falling from above, but you must also be careful about rain bouncing off your feet and entering through your cuffs and shoe openings. That is why it is necessary not only to make the outerwear waterproof, but also to include shoes, pants, and innerwear to destroy weak points.

Rainy Day Cordage Item Selection Point 1Look at outerwear not only for waterproofness but also for breathability

When choosing outerwear for rainy days, we tend to focus on waterproofness and water repellency. However, during the rainy season in June and on humid days, the stress is more about the steamy inside than the rain. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to moisture permeability, and shell outerwear made of GORE-TEX and other high-performance materials that are not only waterproof but also moisture permeable can be used not only for outdoor activities but also for street wear on rainy days because they keep out the rain while allowing moisture inside the garment to escape. For street wear, basic colors such as black, navy, gray, and olive are recommended rather than flashy color schemes and excessive details. Rather than a piece that looks like it is made for the outdoors, choose a minimalist outerwear that blends in with urban life to create a more mature look for rainy day coordination.

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Rainy Day Coordinate Item Selection Point 2

One thing that is easily overlooked when choosing rainproof shoes is water ingress through the footwear opening; even sneakers made of waterproof materials such as GORE-TEX may not be able to handle strong rain or bouncing puddles if they are low-cut, and the inside of the shoe may get wet. On the other hand, side gore rain boots and high-cut waterproof sneakers can easily prevent water from entering through the opening. If you mainly wear them around town, Gore-Tex equipped sneakers are a good choice. In addition to the ” typical ” waterproof sneakers, there are many sneakers that look like regular sneakers, so it is easy to coordinate them with your normal outfits while protecting against rain. When wearing leather shoes to work, it is a must to choose rubber soles and take care of them beforehand with waterproof spray. Leather soles easily absorb water and are slippery, and leather uppers can develop wet stains, so these two points should definitely be taken care of. Incidentally, suede shoes are said to be vulnerable to rain, but remember that because of its raised surface, it repels water better than regular leather when sprayed with waterproof spray. We want to check not only “whether the footwear is made of waterproof material or not,” but also “the shape of the footwear opening” and “how slip-resistant the sole is.

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Rainy Day Cordage Item Selection Point 3For pants, the shape of the hem is the top priority over the functionality of the material.

In selecting pants, before looking at whether the material is hydrogen repellent or not, the shape of the hem should be checked to see whether it is difficult or easy to get wet. Wide pants and pants with wide hems can easily catch water and mud splash due to their large area. Pants that are too long are also unsuitable for rainy days because the hem is too close to the ground. Tapered pants, ankle pants with short hems, and jogger pants or sweat pants with narrow hems are also good choices. The clean hem prevents water from being picked up and makes the legs look light. Water-repellent or quick-drying materials would be ideal, but the first priority should be ” a silhouette that prevents the hem from getting wet. In addition, white pants and other light-colored pants tend to show mud splashes, so on days with heavy rainfall, darker colors such as dark gray, navy, and black should be chosen.

Rainy Day Cordage Item Selection Point 4Choose innerwear based on ease of drying and skin comfort

On rainy days, not only do people get wet from the outside, but they also tend to get stuffy from the inside. Especially during the rainy season, temperatures and humidity are high, making thick cotton T-shirts and other items difficult to dry with sweat and rain. Ideally, tops worn inside outerwear should be selected with consideration for moisture absorption and quick-drying properties, good skin contact, and breathability. Cut and sewn clothing made of functional materials and thin merino wool innerwear can reduce discomfort on rainy days. If you want to build a comfortable outfit for rainy days, you should pay attention not only to outerwear and shoes that can be seen from the outside, but also to a piece of clothing that touches your skin.

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Axis 2 of a rainy day coordinatePoints to consider when putting together a rainy day coordinate

A rainy day outfit is not complete with just a selection of functional items. Rainwear, waterproof sneakers, and water-repellent pants, while useful, can give a strong outdoorsy or sporty feel if combined incorrectly. To look natural as street wear, it is important to adjust not only the resistance to getting wet, but also the color scheme and silhouette.

Rainy Day Coordinates: Key Points for Combination 1Calculate backwards from where you will get wet, and create an appropriate coordinate according to the amount of rainfall and travel time.

When putting together a rainy day corset, you first want to work backwards from the areas that are likely to get wet. Shoulders, backs, cuffs, pant hems, and shoe openings are particularly susceptible to rain. For short trips, water-repellent outerwear and waterproof sneakers may be sufficient. On the other hand, for long walks or days of heavy rain, it is advisable to consider a water-repellent outer layer, pants with hems that do not get wet easily, and even rain shoes with high cuffs. Just because it is raining, it is by no means necessary to be fully protected all over. Depending on the amount of rain, the time and place of travel, change the areas that need to be protected. If you can make that decision, your rainy day attire will be realistic and cohesive without being over-the-top.

Rainy Day Codes: Key Points for Combination 2Narrow down the number of colors with basic colors to make functional clothing fit in with street clothes

The reason why it is difficult to dress coolly and stylishly on a rainy day is not the design of the functional clothing itself. It is the number of colors and materials that clutter up the outfit, giving it a strong outdoorsy or workwear feel. On days when functional items such as shell outerwear, waterproof sneakers, and water-repellent pants are used, the rule of thumb is to limit the color scheme to two or three colors and use basic colors. For example, a black mountain parka, gray pants, and black waterproof sneakers. With such a subdued color scheme, it is easy to keep an urban look even if functional materials are used. On the other hand, if you mix multiple colors with mainly flashy colored items, you may end up looking outdoorsy and out of place in the city, as in a colorful festival coordinate. On rainy days, subtracting colors rather than adding more colors will make you look more mature.

Rainy Day Codes: Key Points for Combination 3Casual waterproof outerwear is a no-no for business style; for a more formal look, use a coat or side gore boots.

When dressing for a rainy day on your commute to work, you need to be comfortable, but at the same time, you also need to look “decent” as a business style. For general business style, a waterproof stainless steel collar coat or trench coat is recommended, and for a more casual look, a minimalist, calm-colored shell outerwear or side gore boots are recommended. If you are okay with a more casual look, you can easily use a shell outerwear, side gore type rain boots, or waterproof sneakers of the coat type. A waterproof bag is also recommended to prevent your documents and PC from getting wet.

If you are having trouble choosing items and coordinating your outfit, check this out!Q&A on Rainy Day Outfits

Q1. Should I avoid white sneakers on a rainy day?Waterproof is OK, canvas or mesh material is not

If you are going to wear white sneakers on rainy days, it is practical to choose waterproof leather material or GORE-TEX (Gore-Tex) equipped models. White sneakers made of canvas or mesh are not suitable for rainy days because they absorb water easily and mud splashes are easily visible. White sneakers made of smooth leather can be worn on the street in light rain, but black waterproof sneakers are more manageable in heavy rain or on long trips.

Q2. Can I wear leather shoes on rainy days?You can wear them, but ideally you should have leather shoes for rain

It is possible to wear leather shoes on a rainy day, but you should avoid wearing the same leather shoes as you would on a sunny day. If you are going to wear leather shoes to work on a rainy day, it is best to choose waterproof leather shoes with GORE-TEX on the upper as well as rubber soles. Leather soles easily absorb water and are slippery on wet surfaces. Suede materials are also susceptible to rain stains, making them difficult to handle on rainy days. If you have no choice but to wear leather shoes that are not waterproof, wipe them dry with a dry cloth and hang them in the shade in a well-ventilated place. After drying, moisturize with a cream. Leather shoes for rainy days should be considered, including measures before wearing and care after wearing.

Q3. What is the most important thing for rainy day coordination during the rainy season?Waterproofing measures as well as measures to prevent steaming at the same time

The most important things for a rainy day coordinate during the rainy season are waterproofing measures and anti-steam measures. Because the rainy season is not only rainy but also humid, heat and humidity can easily accumulate inside clothes if waterproofness is the only priority. Outerwear should be waterproof as well as breathable, and innerwear should be sweat-absorbent, quick-drying, and comfortable against the skin. Pants should be made of lightweight materials that dry easily and have a silhouette that prevents the hems from getting wet, rather than thicker materials. In rainy season clothing, not only ” protection from the rain ” but also ” moisture release ” determines comfort.

Q4. What combination of rainy day commuting clothes is least likely to fail?Get ready with minimalist rain outerwear and wet-resistant footwear

For rainy day commuting outfits, a minimalist rain outerwear in black or navy, water-repellent tapered pants, and rubber-soled leather shoes or side-gore rain shoes are easy to use. By keeping the number of colors low, the outfit does not look too rain-proof and blends easily into business situations. On suit or jacket style days, beware of wide-hemmed slacks and low-cut shoes. Wet pant hems spoil the clean look and allow water to easily enter through shoe openings. For commuting, prepare slightly shorter slacks, rubber-soled leather shoes, and simple waterproof outerwear, so that your outfit is less likely to be compromised on rainy days.

Q5. How much rain protection do I need on light rainy days?A water-repellent outerwear and waterproof sneakers are sufficient for light rain

On light rainy days, there is no need to harden up with full-fledged rainwear and rain boots. For short trips, a combination of water-repellent outerwear, waterproof sneakers, and pants that keep the hems dry will easily suffice. However, on windy days or days with long travel times, even with light rain, it is easy to get wet through cuffs, pant hems, and shoe openings. In addition to the amount of precipitation in the weather forecast, you should also consider the time you will be outside, the distance from the station to your destination, and whether the location is easy to walk through with an umbrella before deciding what to wear.

Q6. What is the appropriate shape of pants for rainy days?Length that prevents hems from getting wet and tapered not too narrow are easy to use

Pants suitable for rainy days are of a tapered silhouette with a hem not too close to the ground and not too wide. Ankle pants and jogger pants are also easy to use on rainy days because their hems do not get wet easily. Conversely, wide pants and full-length pants with cushioned hems are more likely to pick up water and show mud splashes. Hydrogen-repellent material would be ideal, but more than the material, priority should be given to ” a shape that prevents the hem from getting wet. When choosing pants for rainy days, the key is to find a length that allows both a silhouette that looks good and is comfortable.