while snow pays an infrequent visit to Georgia, rain is our constant companion. Atlanta typically clocks in 52 inches of rain per year. the national average? 38 inches. last year, we beat Seattle for rain accumulation. it was one of the rainiest winters on record. thank goodness there wasn’t a repeat performance in 2021. rest assured, we can confidently sing raindrops keep falling on my head… January through March is our rainy season, even though thunderstorms can and will blow through town on any given day. but when i spot my first gingham raincoat in the stores, i know that spring isn’t far behind. gingham and spring go together like peanut butter and jelly.
when the weather gets rainy, Georgians slip into our raincoats. it’s not a bad idea to have a pair of rainboots or two on hand. i love Hunter rainboots. and an umbrella is non-negotiable. typically, i carry a travel-sized umbrella in my handbag. but i have a nifty automatic umbrella standing in my umbrella stand that operates with one hand along with a golf size umbrella and an inverted umbrella. what can i say? i like to be prepared.
while i love to wear a traditional trenchcoat that never goes out of style, it’s fun to wear bold and bright raingear or add a pop of pattern like a gingham raincoat. today’s ootd kicks off with just that – a black and white gingham raincoat from Talbots (old, similar here, here, and here). what goes with gingham? just about anything, especially when the color combo is classic black and white. but i thought a little pattern mixing was in order. who doesn’t love a striped tee from Vince this time of year? and if i haven’t mentioned the sloan pant from Banana Republic in recent months, i have been remiss. the pant is patent protected due to the high stretch fabric with a smooth, supportive fit that’s simply the best when it comes to comfort. nowadays the sloan pant comes in all sorts of fits, but i stuck to the traditional classic sloan skinny fit size 8. my red camera handbag (old, similar here and here) is back in action. and a pair of red block-heel pumps from Frances Valentine. top it off with acrylic bangles from Chico’s, and i’m ready to get Monday underway.
pants | tee | similar raincoat here, here, and here | shoes | similar handbag | similar belt | bangles
pants | tee | similar raincoat here, here, and here | shoes | similar handbag | similar belt | bangles
is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.
She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.
Happy March🌾
I say this is the unofficial start of Spring.
Cute ootd. Love the stripe tee/w gingham. Who doesn’t love black and white w/a pop of red. Go Dawgs!
Sooo ready for Spring. I have those black Hunter boots w/quilted tops. Love them.
Wishing u an awesomely blessed week!
happy march, girlfriend! glad spring is on the way.
I would love to know more about those shoes! Are they true to size? I wear a 5 1/2 – 6. The smallest they come is 6, that is why I’m asking. I won’t ask if they are comfortable… the price answered that question. When it comes to shoes you get what you pay for. They are beautiful… but I’m a sucker for a red shoe. Take care. ~Ruthi
the shoes are true to size. i love this brand. and i particularly love their shoes.
beautiful and classic combination
Love it
Question can you wear a belt with pants without straps
i do. the only glitch is that the belt will move up or down. you can use fashion tape to keep it in place.
otherwise, it will need some attention.
Love the black and white gingham rain coat. Very nice for spring. I live up here in NE Ohio and it is still very cold here. I need to find a blogger that lives in the northern US for ideas on how to keep warm and still look nice. Any ideas?
Instagram is probably your best bet finding bloggers in the NE but we all tend to follow the fashion cycle of spring, summer,
fall and winter when the brands’ rollout the clothes for that season.
Here in CA there is not as much call for rain coats, boots and umbrellas as I’d like. But as a Brit, I have I fondness for all of them. I joke that in the UK you never leave the house without at least a small travel umbrella in your bag, even on a sunny day. And in CA, you never leave the house without a pair of sunglasses, even on a rainy day.
The gingham raincoat is so cute!
this gingham raincoat is all that! and you’re right about sunnies in California and a brolly in the UK.
I love that checked rain coat especially with the striped tee. I live in greater Seattle area so I, too, am a fan of rain coats and rain boots. The coat must have a hood though…no Seattelite uses an umbrella!
Love your blog,
Jan
thanks, jan! always have at least one raincoat with a hood. gotta keep the ‘do’ looking good even in the rain.
Have had a love affair with umbrellas since I was four years old – magical.
Thanks for the suggestions, especially the clear bell one. I’m sure everyone struggles to keep dry while trying to see where you’re going, and still respect others as we pass by. Excellent post.
i love the clear umbrella for walking the city streets! it helps to see where we’re going!
FYI, Atlanta always beats Seattle in average annual rainfall. Seattle’s is exactly the same as the national average you cite: 38″.
thanks ann. how ’bout Atlanta has 109 days of rain compared to 150 in Seattle? we get gully washers that dump lots of rain then blow out of town leaving clear blue skies. whereas Seattle has more days with drizzle. mox nix, we had our share of rain last year that’s for sure!