Selecting the perfect women's raincoat isn’t necessarily a challenge, but it does require some focus and attention. You don’t want to sacrifice where comfort is concerned, nor do you want to miss out on those valuable little details that help you stay warmer and drier, whether it’s drizzling or storming.
But what about the color of your rain jacket? There are plenty of options out there. You can go for a traditional yellow tone if you love the look of a tried-and-true yet very bright classic, or you may prefer something neutral, like a navy, black, or gray that you can wear with everything in your closet. There are even patterned coats out there, just begging you to take them out in the rain.
While it may not seem like such a big decision to make for what is ultimately a functional garment, you don’t need to lose your sense of style or your love of a certain color just because you need something perfect to shield yourself from wet weather. It’s entirely possible to enjoy the best of both worlds! Here’s how to make the best choice.
Are you cool, warm, or neutral? In general, your skin tone probably falls under one of these categories, but no rule says you can’t wear a cool color if you happen to have warm-toned skin, and vice versa. Besides, it’s always best to choose something that makes you look and feel your very best. Remember that you can always venture beyond these cool, warm, and neutral categories, but here’s how the three break down.
Cool skin is generally bluish in its undertone and can range from extremely fair to dark. Natural hair colors vary from pale blonde to black. You probably have cool-toned skin if you look best in variations of blue, green, and purple, including sapphire, emerald, cobalt, lavender, lilac, and amethyst. You can even wear some warmer tones, like ruby and bright pink. In the neutral family, hues like white, navy, and gray look best on you. You can tell that these shades span the rainbow, which opens up a wealth of attractive winter coats to consider.
Warm tones are characterized by golden or olive undertones. Hair colors vary here, too, and can range from dark blonde to dark brown. You likely gravitate to shades in the yellow, red, and orange families—think amber, mustard, rust, and pumpkin. Some cooler shades that might suit you include magenta, rich turquoise, and olive, all of which have deeper undertones that flatter you nicely. Neutrals like mocha, taupe, and off white are all great choices if you prefer something understated.
Those who have neutral skin tones fall somewhere in between cool and warm. It’s possible that there isn’t one specific family of colors that suits you best—you can easily pull off both with ease. Your hair is likely a blend of colors. For example, you might have ash blonde or caramel brown strands. The combination of cool and warm hues here helps create a more balanced look, which may make it easier for you to pull off a richer or lighter color with ease. In general, though, your best shades are soft, such as rose, peach, and sky blue. You can pull off neutrals like almond and taupe very nicely.
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a specific color family, it’s time to take a closer look at your existing wardrobe. You might have your eye on a pretty peach coat, for example, but it may not pair very well with anything in your closet except for your favorite women’s jeans or leggings. Keep in mind that a raincoat can be a great investment piece, so it’s worth selecting a style and color that will give you the most wear.
If you’re the type to purchase a new women’s winter parka or jacket, then you may feel a little bit more relaxed in making your raincoat choice. Maybe you want to experiment with a shade that you wouldn’t normally wear. Now is your chance to make a dynamic impression! But it’s also helpful to choose a coat that you know you’ll wear beyond the season; for example, when it’s chilly outside in the fall or on those rare winter days that don’t require a thick down coat.
Always think in terms of longevity and practicality for your personal needs. When it comes to buying a raincoat, aim for a mix of fun and function to see you through wet weather.