Rainy Day

My fiance and I always joke that we’re getting old because we find ourselves constantly checking and discussing the weather. Well, I must have forgotten my age yesterday because I was woefully ill-dressed for the torrential downpour that met me midday.

Every sludge-filled step in my pristine Jack Rogers had me wishing I was wearing something entirely different. For office wear, I envisioned a comfortable, breathable black wrap dress (DVF is classic, but Banana Republic’s $120 version is hard to beat):

I’d pair with a bold, chunky gold necklace — either this Milly version (aren’t you psyched that the line has come out with its own jewelry? — $185, Saks) or this Loren Hope black-and-gold statement piece ($160, Max and Chloe):

and either these snakeskin-printed black Sam Edelman pumps (on super sale for $64.70, 6pm) or these nude/camel Kate Spade patent leather slingbacks (on sale for $224, FootCandyShoes):

Top it off with a heavy gold watch ($250, Michael Kors), a classic Burberry trench (on sale for $699, Burberry), and this killer black patent leather doctor’s bag by the one and only Anya Hindmarch (on sale for $778, MyWardrobe):

Oh — and, of course — a slicker-yellow umbrella (Burberry, $125, Saks):

You really can’t go wrong with a cheery, lemon yellow on grizzly day — just think back to the Morton Salt Girl for a little inspiration.

Consider, for example, this sunny Cacherel anorak (on sale for $416, MyTheresa):

Pair with some skinny jeans, patent black flats (Tory Burch, $195, Net-A-Porter), and chain link Ferragamo bag (obsessed with this little style — $490, Bloomingdale’s):

Alternately, for a day of shopping or errand-running, throw on a pair of traditional green wellies by Hunter ($125, Jildor):

Or maybe slip into some punchy yellow flats, like these city slicker yellow Tory Burch jellies (on sale for $71, Jildor) or these Lanvin classic ballet flats ($385, Zoe):

You can get the Lanvin look for less with these Blochs ($150, Net-A-Porter):

You might want to amp up the bright factor in order to combat the gray day doldrums — consider adding on a day-glo parka like this little Ali Ro number (on sale for $136, Nordstrom) or, if you’re petite like myself, this boys’ sized KWay jacket ($45, J. Crew):

If that’s too much for you, tone it down with a classic khaki-colored parka, like this Cole Haan (on sale for $186, Nordstrom) or this Juicy Couture bracelet sleeve anorak (adore the bracelet sleeves — on sale for $199, Bergdorf Goodman’s):

You could pair either of the above rain coats (a breeze to pack, FYI!) with some Burberry rain boots ($275, Bloomingdale’s), black leggings, and little tunic top for a sleek Rachel Bilson-esque look:

Tuck one of these extremely light-weight, water-proof LeSportSac totes in your bag on your way to work or while out running errands to carry your miscellaneous odds and ends — I love this “Passersby” style ($108, Shopbop):

If you’re not so fond of yellow, consider accenting your khaki/black wardrobe with a peppy fruit punch hue — maybe these Mia flats (on sale for $48, Endless) and this happy Kate Spade tote ($225, Bloomingdale’s):

The tote would also look perfect dressed up with these patent Christian Louboutin “Pigalles” (on sale for $333, ShopSavannah’s) and this Carolee beaded bib necklace ($95, Bloomingdale’s):

Offset the entire look with this classic brown-and-white striped Henri Bendel umbrella ($68, Henri Bendel):

Finally, consider building your look around this kicky Felix Rey umbrella ($65, Bloomingdale’s):

Throw one of the classic khaki coats featured above or this slightly “un-done” TopShop parka ($100, TopShop) over an Audrey Hepburn-esque, gamine, black outfit (a striped tee — the unisex St. James below is very of-the-moment, and you can snap it up at J. Crew for $85 — and some fitted, cropped black pants like these J. Crew “Minnies,” on sale for $59)