10 Ways to Style a Raincoat So Spring Showers Don’t Ruin Your Look

April showers may bring flowers, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to dress for. Though necessary, raincoats tend to prize function over form. With a few exceptions, raincoats are rarely the kind of outerwear that make an outfit. But that’s where good styling comes in. Choosing the right cut and color of raincoat and pairing it with the right pieces can take it from an unfortunate necessity to a seamless part of your outfit.

Luckily, street style (celebrity and otherwise) is full of inspiration. Jennifer Lawrence pairs her slouchy trench with trousers and a sweater tied around the shoulder, while Katie Holmes prefers a sunny yellow set featuring a cropped jacket and cargo pants. Whether you’re facing a misty day or a full torrential downpour, there’s an outfit that can keep you looking good and dry.

Keep scrolling for 10 ways to style a raincoat this spring.

Relaxed Layers

Jennifer Lawrence offers up a foolproof outfit formula: a white tee with a sweater tied around the shoulders, trousers that graze the toes of her ballet flats, and a trench coat on top. It’s effortless and put together. The key here is fit. Everything is just slouchy and oversized enough to look relaxed yet polished.

An Outfit Sandwich

Add symmetry by matching your raincoat to your shoes. This example balances out the oversized fit of the raincoat with more fitted jeans and boots, while heels add an unexpected touch of femininity to the jacket’s utilitarian feel.

Bright and Sheer

A colorful raincoat screams spring. To microdose the color, try a sheer raincoat, and let it stand out against a neutral outfit underneath.

Safari-Inspired

When opting for a more neutral raincoat, a few bold accessories can go a long way. Here, a leopard print hat, zebra print scrunchie, and black and white patterned bag liven up a khaki-colored trench coat, while the fact that they’re all in similar colors keeps it cohesive.

Flower Power

A floral raincoat is particularly fitting for spring, and Whitney Port-Rosenman illustrates the power of mixing prints by pairing it with a striped dress. This combination would look just as good in reverse. Imagine a striped jacket over a floral dress or even a plaid raincoat paired with a subtle polka dot piece.

Fit for a Queen

Take a note from Queen Elizabeth, who had a habit of protecting her hair from the rain with a colorful silk scarf. Match your scarf to your gloves, bag, or shoes for extra elegance.

Get Wild

A bold, animal print raincoat stands out against an all-black outfit. Bonus points for a rubbery texture that’s not only fashion-forward but rain-proof.

A Sunny Set

Katie Holmes shows how it’s done in a butter yellow set featuring wide-leg cargo pants and a cropped trench coat. The contrast between the creamy yellow set and her rich, chocolate brown top and bag makes a color combination worth repeating.

Business Chic

A white button-down and pinstripe pants are a classic combination, but this outfit becomes much more fun with a shiny navy blue raincoat. The material adds an interesting textural element too.

Shorts and Boots

Rain boots and a long coat can look clunky, but Dutch influencer Darja Barannik got the proportions just right with this look. By pairing the mid-calf boots with shorts and keeping the jacket open, the layers don’t overwhelm her form.

Read the original article on InStyle