It’s nearly impossible to know when it will rain in Miami, but it never hurts to be prepared.

While rainy-day fashion is often big jackets, sturdy pants and knee-high boots, Florida weather doesn’t exactly lend itself to this kind of attire.

Most out of state students are truly feeling the heat when it comes to rainy-day fashion. “Here, it constantly rains out of nowhere, but is still at least 80 degrees, so I have to try to adjust my usual rainy-day outfits to work with the heat,” said freshman Sarah Guarachi.

For some students like Guarachi, it can be frustrating to master staying dry, keeping cool and looking stylish. Here are some tips to make it a little easier.

Umbrella’s are accessories, right?

There’s no way around it, you need an umbrella. Leaving home without one is basically like praying for a downpour on your walk to class. There’s nothing that ruins a perfect outfit like a Miami rain shower. Luckily, umbrellas come in infinite styles for every taste and aesthetic. Whether it’s bold colors, fun patterns or a trendy transparent look, there’s an umbrella out there just waiting to be your new favorite accessory.

Stick to Shorts!


As badly as you may want to wear pants on a rainy day, shorts or loose skirts will treat you more kindly. That pair of mom jeans you’ve been dying to wear will be sticking to you in all the wrong places just seconds after you step outside. Instead, go for a comfy mini skirt, a pair of classic denim shorts or even a trendy midi skirt. Your legs will thank you for it.

Booties beat the heat.

While tall, thick rain boots might be perfect for a Northeastern winter, there’s no need for them at the U. Switch to some stylish, waterproof Chelsea boots to keep your feet dry and legs free. These popular, unisex booties come in plenty of colors to match any outfit. Plus, they’re on Amazon for prices college students can be happy about. Just pair them with some ankle socks—neutral or bold—and you’re ready to brave the storm!

Platforms beat puddles.

UM students are not strangers to massive, incredibly inconvenient puddles around campus. Thankfully, there’s a trend that can help us. While regular sneakers, flip flops or your favorite pair of Birkenstocks may look great, they’ll end up getting flooded in these mini rivers.

Chunky sneakers and platform booties, on the other hand, are sturdy enough to get the job done without sacrificing style for practicality. Chunky sneakers are an especially big trend on campus. Fila Disruptors and white Supergas are spotted everywhere. Whatever your style, you’ll be grateful for a pair of platforms as you watch everyone else leap over the giant puddles.

Two Words: Waterproof. Backpack.

If you carry around a laptop, like many college students do, you’ll want a waterproof backpack.

If you’ve heard the horror stories of MacBooks getting soaked and completely ruined while stowed in a backpack, you know that protecting your device from the rain is no joke.

Brands like Herschel, Kanken, Nike and Adidas make waterproof backpacks that look stylish and keep your stuff safe, too. Plus, these bags are roomy enough to make sure your notes, essays and phone will stay dry as well.

words & photo_alison mcwalters