Rain doesn’t have to equal misery, you just need to be prepared. Here are my rainy day essentials so the rainy day don’t get you down.
Happy April! We all know that April showers bring May flowers. Here on this first day of April, let’s make sure we are prepared for the showers so we can enjoy the flowers when they show up next month.
It’s also a good opportunity to switch our mindsets about rainy weather. Rain isn’t all bad, folks! Sure, rain brings with it treacherous road conditions and the drowned rat chic look, but it also brings renewal and growth and an opportunity to splash in the puddles! If you have your rainy day essentials, it’s easier to focus on the positives rather than dwell on the negatives.
So, what are the rainy day essentials that you should keep in your bag or your car so you’re always prepared to look on the bright side of rain? Keep reading to find out my two cents.
Rainy Day Essentials
Rain jacket
My #1 rainy day essential is for sure a rain jacket. For me, if I have my rain jacket, I’m ok if it rains. The other stuff on this list of rainy day essentials is nice to have, of course, but if I don’t have them, my day isn’t ruined. Without a rain jacket, though, I’m miserable in the rain.
When I need a new rain jacket, I have a few things I look for. First, I like a hooded jacket. I have curly hair, so I’ll take all the hair protection when there is frank water in the air. Second, I like something that has a lining. If you’ve ever been in a rainstorm in Florida in September in an unlined rain jacket that has become one with your thighs, you know why I like a lining. Finally, I like a zipper. When I’m trying to get a rain jacket on quickly because it’s actively raining, I don’t have time for buttons. I’ve found a rain jacket that I love for me, one that my husband loves, and one that my kids love that fit all of these criteria. If you’re in need of a rain jacket, you might want to check these out.
Women’s rain jacket
I love Columbia jackets. From my winter coat to my everyday rain jacket, I always check Columbia first, and they haven’t let me down yet. The rain jacket that I currently wear and love was the lined Flash Forward jacket, but Columbia doesn’t make it anymore. Sad face. It looks like they have basically just rebranded it, though, because the Switchback II lined rain jacket looks pretty darn similar to my rain jacket. I’m loving the river blue color.
Men's rain jacket
My husband also loves his Columbia rain jacket. It looks like his rain jacket was also rebranded, and is now being sold as the Tipton Peak III insulated jacket. Just a heads up, this is quite a bit warmer than just a regular rain jacket, but that means he can wear this largely year-round.
Kid's rain jacket
I’ve tried lots of kids rain jackets, in lots of budgets. My favorite kids’ rain jacket has hands down been the LL Bean Discovery Rain Jacket. It has a mesh lining, which doesn’t provide warmth, but doesn’t stick to their skin either. It’s worth the extra cost.
Umbrella
Personally, I hate umbrellas, but what list of rainy day essentials is complete without an umbrella? It has to be on the list, my personal feelings aside. I mean, I do keep an umbrella under the front seat in my car, just in case, although I rarely use it. Part of the reason I hate umbrellas is because they never last, whether I pay a lot or a little for them. That’s why I’m not going to recommend one to you. If you have one that you love that I should try, let me know!
Shoes
I find that shoe choice is crucial on rainy days. I find that I need a full shoe with grippy soles that doesn’t require socks to be completely happy in the rain. To me, that’s a boat shoe, and only Sperry will do.
Women’s rain shoes
I’ve tried a lot of Sperry boat shoes, and the Bluefish is the best.
Men's rain shoes
My husband loves Sperry’s original men’s boat shoe in the Royal Brown color. He wears them everywhere.
Kid’s rain shoes
Hat
Hats are also really high on my list of rainy day essentials. I mentioned above that I have curly hair that goes absolutely wild in the rain, so my hair is my biggest worry on rainy days. The hood on the rain jacket helps, of course, but I like to have a second line of defense. My preferred rain hat might come as a surprise because it’s not technically a rain hat. I like a regular old baseball cap in the rain because the bill keeps the water off my face and glasses. Pick your favorite team or go with a plain color. I opt for a Miami Hurricanes hat, of course!
Towel
One of my must-have items for the car on any day is a towel. But, it’s also very definitely a rainy day essential. A towel comes in clutch on a rainy day to dry off wet people, wet dogs, wet tables and/or chairs. I also give the bottoms of my shoes and the kids’ shoes a quick wipe on rainy days because it’s so much easier to throw a towel in the washing machine than to detail the car.
Bag
When it’s raining, you need a bag. It doesn’t have to be completely waterproof, although that would be nice, but some kind of bag that keeps water out is essential. The size of the bag is totally dependent on how much stuff you need to keep dry. If you just have the essentials, like a wallet and phone, you might find that all you need is nylon cross-body like this Lululemon All Night Festival Bag Micro 2L. If you have more stuff you need to keep safe and dry, be sure that you’re putting it all in a bag with a zipper. This LL Bean number comes in a few different sizes for all of your rainy day toting needs!
Quick dry clothing
If you know you’re going to be out and about on a rainy day, might I suggest you leave the jeans for another day? Cotton fabrics like denim or twill will hold onto every drop of water that falls on them, so you’ll feel like a soggy mess all day long. Opt instead for performance fabrics on rainy days – athleisure is your friend on rainy days. This is especially important when you’re dressing kids for rainy days. I like to suggest to my son that he wear an Under Armour set on rainy days to avoid the misery and complaining that comes with being soggy.
Extra clothing
Whether you wear quick dry clothing or not, you still probably want some extra clothing handy if you’re planning to spend time outside on a rainy day. If you want to be completely sure you won’t be miserable, a full top-down outfit change for everyone is best. If that’s a little much for you, at least bring an extra pair of socks for everyone, even for those of you who took my advice and wore boat shoes. There is no quicker way to feel better than to put on a pair of warm, dry socks. You’ll thank me later if you keep extra socks in your rainy day essentials stash.
Bug spray
I’ve mentioned many times before that I grew up in Florida. Even though I no longer live in Florida, my formative years there have definitely influenced how I live my life. One very clear way that my upbringing has translated to my life as a parent is that I tie rain with bugs. When it rains in Florida, the bugs come out to play. You must have bug spray at the ready if it’s raining in Florida. I’m not sure that same rule applies everywhere else, but I’m not taking any chances. I will forever keep bug spray on my list of rainy day essentials.
Waterproof mascara
The last entry on my list of rainy day essentials is a specific one, but an important one for those to whom this item applies. If you are a person who regularly wears mascara, you want to make sure that you’re choosing a waterproof option on rainy days. There is nothing worse than having mascara running into your eyes and down your face. My favorite waterproof mascara is Essence Lash Princess if you’re looking for a new waterproof mascara for rainy days.
Other posts
Looking for more Spring posts? You might find some inspiration in these posts:
I hope you can equip yourself for drizzly days this Spring with these rainy day essentials. What else do you keep on hand for rainy days? Share down below or over on Instagram @sarainseason.