You can build a chic rainy-day outfit without breaking the bank. 

By Aleide Achenbach

Rainy days can put a damper on a good outfit. Who wants to style when you’re covered by a Gore-Tex rain barrier?

“I struggle to find a rain jacket that makes me feel put together and is not just plain black,” said Maddy Vandergeest, a University of Minnesota senior.

But staying dry doesn’t mean sacrificing fashion. With the right pieces, rainwear can become part of the outfit rather than a bulky add-on. Here are tips for a complete look. And you won’t spend more than $160 when the styling is done. 

Top: Old Navy’s Oversized Rounded-Sleeve Anorak Rain Jacket, $65, with an oversized silhouette and rounded sleeves for a fashion-forward look. Colors are cream plaid or medium green plaid in a full range of sizes. Bottom: Skip traditional rain pants and opt for cargo pants. Halara’s Water-Repellent Wear-Resistant High-Waisted Pockets Camping Cargo Pants, $54.95, have a cinched waistband for a defined silhouette and large side cargo pockets as a trendy detail for extra storage. Colors are black and Polar Night. 

Boots: Waterproof Sogetch’s short Chelsea rain boots, available through Walmart for $29.99, have a classic Chelsea-inspired shape and colors to complement any personal style.  The ankle boots come in apricot, beige, black, yellow, pink, navy blue, and green.

Umbrella: Finish the look with the Hyknon Automatic Small Foldable Travel Umbrella from Walmart. At just $8.99-$9.99, the compact umbrella is an easy addition to keep in your bag for unexpected showers. Its range of colors, including green, black, purple, wine, pink, navy, blue, dark blue and beige, make for a blended accessory or a pop of color.