The chic styling tricks the fashion set is using to…

The chic styling tricks the fashion set is using to fend off London’s interminable deluge

In news that surprised nobody, Met office data has confirmed that it has rained somewhere in the UK on every single day of 2026 so far. More than 40 days of slate-grey skies and flood warnings have well and truly dampened the nation’s spirits. But what about our wardrobes?

From drizzle to a deluge, rain in every shape and form presents a sartorial challenge. Aside from the obvious limitations — suede is off the menu, and watch your brushed cashmere too — it’s all too easy to end up with soggy trainers, damp hems and, to top it all off, permanently frizzy hair.

It’s depressing to swaddle yourself in the same old waterproof something every day. But luckily, wet weather gear has been firmly on the fashion forecast for a while now, so there are plenty of good options out there.

One thing to consider is headgear because a hood or umbrella doesn’t quite cut it at the moment. I’ve seen plenty of fashion folk layering the triangle scarves that popped up everywhere last year beneath their hoods. A valiant attempt but not waterproof, so why not channel the late Queen Elizabeth II and reclaim the plastic granny bonnet? Regally chic, and they can be picked up for £2.49 at Robert Dyas. Your blow-dry will thank you.

For catwalk inspiration, you might look to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s Loewe debut, an SS26 collection that featured bold fisherman style hats that would certainly divert the lashing rain. A slightly more accessible alternative comes courtesy of rainwear brand to know, L’Hood. The brainchild of hairdresser Elliot Taylor (who often saw clients getting caught without an umbrella) and fashion designer David Szeto, L’Hood’s rain-repellent ‘Ritza’ hat offers great protection and can be snapped onto a wrist or chucked in a bag in an instant.

Then there’s the matter of the raincoat itself. Thanks to fashion’s ongoing flirtation with ‘gorpcore’, even the most historically square of these can look chic. See Charli xcx, Hailey Bieber and Zoe Kravitz pairing cropped waterproofs with silky bloomer shorts at Saint Laurent’s SS26 show if you require convincing. Arc'teryx is the place to head if you want something technical that retains fashion clout — and the brand’s waterproof hiking shoes are the product to punt for if you’re sick of soggy trainers.

K-Way is another key player in the waterproof field. “Rain shouldn’t interrupt your style, especially in the UK, where dressing for the weather is just part of life,” says Lorenzo Boglione, CEO of BasicNet Group, K-Way’s parent company. “The trick is choosing pieces that work technically but still feel considered and stylish. Rain jackets began as simple protection from the elements, but today they’re a real lifestyle piece. It’s about choosing outerwear that performs well and looks great doing it,”

This mentality has formed K-Way’s cult piece, the Le Vrai jacket, which feels like a stylish take on a pack-a-mac. “We’ve focused on details that matter, including packability and fabrics that are waterproof, windproof, and breathable,” says Boglione. “But just as importantly, it’s versatile. You can layer it over tailoring, wear it with athleisure, or add bold accessories to make it your own.”

Alexa Chung recently showcased just this by layering her olive-brown Le Vrai over a fringed detail leather jacket, accessorised with a Louis Vuitton Pochette. It’s a look well worth imitating, give or take the LV.

All of this to say: don’t save it for a rainy day. And let’s face it, with drizzle forecast for the foreseeable, you won’t have to.