Rainy Days Outfit

Yesterday was yet another cold and rainy day here in NYC. It actually started like it was going to snow, so I should be happy that it was "only" raining (especially because it IS snowing today). My daughter was suffering a little bit from cabin fever and I had to go to the post office, so in the rain we went.

The following outfit has become my go-to "rainy days" outfit. I wore it and took these pics two weeks ago but the day after it was a beautiful, sunny day and I didn't feel like depressing you with a post about the rain. I remember exactly what day it was because for a strange law of physics (probably unknown to everyone but me) every Wednesday, when I have to schlep my daughter to ballet class (a twenty minutes walk from here), it rains. Call it Murphy law if you prefer. In any case, since I lost my waterproof coat on my way to the Caribbean last year (I know, how silly is that? I forgot the coat on the plane, didn't think about it for a whole week and only remembered that I had left home with a coat when I was about to land in snowy NY), I don't know what to wear when I have to walk in the rain with my daughter in the stroller. If you have ever tried pushing a stroller while holding an umbrella, you know what I mean. You can do that a block or two, but then you have to give up the umbrella. Also, because I am typically late, I end up running (while pushing the stroller! At least it's good for the arms!) and if I am too covered I am all sweaty when I arrive.

So, here is what I came up with: I wear my cloud puffer jacket, which is the only vaguely rainproof cold weather jacket that I have and the luminosa puffer vest under it. The luminosa puffer vest is lightweight and wouldn't make the cut as outwear here in NYC but under the coat it helps protecting my tummy from the wind, so I can leave my jacket open if I start sweating. I feel clever just for thinking of this ;-).

The funny thing is, I don't know if I really like the luminosa. I kept seeing it on people (= ladies who lunch) in the neighborhood and each time I thought it looked very classy, but on me? Meh! It is shorter than I would like it to be and it tends to puff when I zip it up. Anyway, I bought it for cheap enough and I found a greater purpose for it (greater than looking good), so until I buy another raincoat (which could take years) I will live with it. You can also see it on Rose who kind of inspired this post.

So here is how I wore it that Wednesday, with the tissue turtleneck in moss olive (I think) and a vintage Hermes scarf that happens to have the same colors in it:

The scarf (actually a "carre") is the only truly vintage thing that I have, directly from my mom's closet. It's a classic equestrian print (you can say that I love these colors because it blends with my furniture):

Speaking of equestrian, the boots that I am wearing are L'Aigle "dressage" boots (they used to be sold on the JCrew website and they still popback in the sale section). I bought them at the beginning of the season at the sample sale for a third of their retail price and they are awesome (they mimic a horseback riding boot and they look like real leather but they are 100% PVC and they are lined with Softex, that keeps the feet dry and warmer than regular rainboots, which means that you can wear them in the snow). If you can find them for a good price I highly reccomend them (sizing can be tricky though, so better if you can try them on. For reference I had to size one up because of the lining).

Yesterday I wore the luminosa over a simple black cotton turtleneck and my skinny jeans (but I have to say that the outfit looked much sharper with the boots on):

Do you have a typical rainy day outfit? Do you own/like the luminosa puffer vest?