We don’t know about you, but when we’re making our trek to work on soggy days, we’re not too keen on the whole “singing in the rain” thing. When it comes to downpours, let’s face it: We’re just not equipped to nail the put-together look of the leading lady who is “accidentally” caught in the rain.

We can’t all be starlets splashing about in a perfectly staged movie scene. After all, we don’t have hairdressers artfully misting our locks or stylists dressing us in garb that will appear tasteful yet alluring when wet.

Instead, we have hair that frizzes to outer-galactic heights before the first drop of rain even hits the pavement. And we have clothes that either leave us looking drowned and droopy—or, even worse, looking like we’re best suited for a spring break wet t-shirt contest. Icky and so not chic.

This is why we—the real women who don’t have someone to yell “cut” when we’re looking like drowned rats—must arm ourselves with wet weather wear that keeps us looking our best. So, we’ve put together a rainy day look that will have you actually looking forward to torrential downpour. You may even feel inclined to splash in a puddle or two.

1. Ray of Light: We’ve come a long way since the days when our mothers forced us to don trash bag raincoats any time we were caught without our raingear. As adults, we won’t settle for frumpy plastic raincoats with no real shape or style. Enter the Michael Kors double-breasted raincoat, which is tailored to perfection. There’s just something so appealing about having a taxicab yellow trench awaiting you on the darkest of days. Taxi Yellow Double Breasted Belted Short Raincoat, MICHAEL Michael Kors, $72.74, bluefly.com.

2. Super-Sized Umbrella: When it comes to umbrellas, bigger is indeed better. Yes, it’s nice to have an umbrella that’s small enough to tuck into your purse. But after years of struggling with too-small versions that allowed trails of water to dribble down our backs, we’re not going to take it anymore. We will take one of these affordable jumbo umbrellas from Target. Make ours black, white and oh-so-gorgeously graphic. Stripe Jumbo Family Umbrella in Black and White, Totes, $19.99, target.com.

3. Put a Lid on Frizz: No matter how many de-frizzing, hair sleeking products we apply with care and a prayer, we can’t seem to completely tame our manes on rainy days. Rather than giving up the big-hair battle, we’ve decided to arm ourselves with super-stylish hats—like this cloche from ModCloth. With its Roaring ’20s feel, this piece would work just as well with jeans and a tee as it would with a dress and heels. Plus, it has a certain Angelina Jolie in The Changeling feel, don’t you think? Cloche to Your Heart, ModCloth, $49.99, modcloth.com.

4. Well, Well, Wellies: There are more cute rain boots in the market than there are raindrops in a puddle. But a rainy day is a time for practicality. And Hunter Boots wrote the book on soggy sock prevention. With their woven nylon lining, lug sole and cushioned footbed, these boots don’t play around with the fate of our socks. While these come in an array of colors—not the least of which is a lovely shade of aubergine—we’re partial to the understated appeal of these black beauties. Original Hunter Wellington Rain Boot, Hunter Boots, $115, shopbop.com.

5. The Not-Jeans Jeans: We love our denim, but we’re not so fond of fighting to shove our favorite pair of jeans into the confines of our wellies. And we get especially touchy (okay, whiney and all around unpleasant) when said jeans bunch and form tiny balls of discomfort inside our boots. Thankfully, we’ve got these dark denim leggings, which will slide easily into our rain boots. Not to mention, with their contrast stitching and zippers, they’ll look just as fab outside of our boots when paired with a pair of flats or heels. Women’s Miss Pinky Denim Leggings in Black, Purple Label, $19.20, 80spurple.com.

Maybe it’s the thought of retiring our swimsuits (we can’t say we’re that sad to them go), but we’re truly craving fall. With thoughts of the impending chill come daydreams of lightweight jackets that won’t bulk up once layered over our favorite fall looks. Enter the perfectly ageless, weather-resistant fashion staple known as the trench coat.

This fall, we’re obsessed with finding a trench that boasts a little something special. Not too detective-esque, not too manly—just an affordable piece with fun details. Something that will do for us what the trench did for Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” With an eye toward that special twist, we combed online shops and found quite the eclectic lineup. (Nordstrom offered an impressive selection that had us aflutter.)

So, ladies, pick your poison. Will it be a chic trench that you can pair with a white button-down shirt and tailored pants for a day at the office—or a punchy version that you can toss on over skinny jeans and riding boots for the weekend? That’s the great thing about trench coats—they’re effortlessly chic and oh-so-versatile.

Bonus: Once the days turn too cold, you can resist the urge to banish your favorite jacket into forced hibernation. Come March, you’ll be putting that trench back into rotation faster than you can say “springtime allergies.” And with the most expensive of the group coming in at just under $150, you won’t experience the sticker shock that you’re sure to find with the likes of the coveted Burberry trench.

1. Animal Appeal: If we know one thing, it’s that every girl needs some animal print in her closet. This leopard print trench from Michael Kors has us purring. Brown Leopard Print Belted Trench Coat, MICHAEL Michael Kors, $149, bluefly.com.

2. In the Pink: We love the classic lines and fit of this trench, but we absolutely adore its pink berry hue. Pink not your thing? This piece also comes in pumpkin and currant—colors that are sure to put a little pep in your step on wet, dreary days. Belted Trench Coat, Spiegel, $69, spiegel.com.

3. Pretty in Plaid: This menswear-inspired plaid trench is anything but masculine—especially when you catch a glimpse of the giant bow that finishes the belt in the back. Too cute! Glen Plaid Trench, Latte by Coffee Shop, $128, nordstrom.com.

4. Short Story: The standard, bone-colored trench gets an instant update with short sleeves, which make this jacket a perfect summer-to-fall transitional piece. Short Sleeve Trench, AK Anne Klein, $98, nordstrom.com.

5. Girl Talk: We love a good dose of feminine detail. Make it a double dose of ruffled rows—like the ones that line the hem of this double-breasted trench—and we’re in heaven. Ruffle Hem Trench, Luii, $64.90, nordstrom.com.

Now that many retailers have taken their plus-sized lines out of stores thanks to recession woes, what’s a curvy gal to do? Shop online—and still fashionably work those curves—of course! Whether you’re headed to the office or off to run your weekend errands, we’ve put together two head-to-toe looks that are as wearable as they are effortlessly chic.

Work It, Girl: You may be surrounded by guys in serious suits, but who says you can’t flaunt your feminine style with romantic florals and girlie accessories in the workplace? Our shopping list to ensure you stand apart from the man-pack:

1. Top: Think frilly ruffles can’t be refined? The subdued colors and fall palette keep this look sweet and subtle. Plus, the high neck provides work-appropriate coverage, so there will be no need to fret about peek-a-boo cleavage. Plus Size Ruffled Flutter-Sleeve Floral Blouse, AK Anne Klein, $95, macys.com.
2. Watch: We love the look of an oversized men’s watch on the wrist of a lovely lady. But this delicate watch—with is gorgeous geometric shapes and simple face—is just too amazing to pass up. The Maven Watch, Nixon, $150, 80spurple.com.
3. Cocktail Ring: We love, love, love oversized statement rings. While we wouldn’t wear a chunky necklace, doorknocker earrings and a cocktail ring to work, we love the idea of pairing this beautifully bulky ring with otherwise minimalist accessories. Octagon Jewel Ring, Banana Republic, $50, bananarepublic.com.
4. Pants: We’re all about mixing things up. These straight-leg tweed pants are lightweight and classic—the perfect counterpart to the femininity of the floral top. Plus Size Straight-Leg Tweed Pants, DKNYC, $109, bloomingdales.com.
5. Satchel: Functional and eye-catching? Count us in. This bag is big enough to haul all of your gear on your commute, and with its antiqued hardware, it has plenty of vintage, worn-in charm to spare. Flapover Satchel, Melie Bianco, $99, piperlime.com.
6. Platform Sandal: We heart high heels. But aching feet? Not so much. Herein lies the brilliance of the platform. You’ll get all of the height, but thanks to the hidden boost, a little less of the pain. Plus, the ankle straps have built-in side zippers for easy on and off. Perfect for hurried mornings. Morgen Platform Sandal, MICHAEL Michael Kors, $154.95, nordstrom.com.

Easy Like Sunday Morning: Weekend comfort doesn’t have to mean baggy sweats. Don’t get us wrong, we’re fans of the worn-in sweatshirt. But when you’re running about town, picking up the dry cleaning, hitting the market or going out for coffee, why shouldn’t you feel fabulous? We’ve found a look that is comfortable and chic:

1. Locket: Couldn’t you see this lovely piece around the neck of Jane Eyre? Or perhaps Elizabeth Bennet? All this locket needs to amp up its appeal is a photo of Mr. Darcy. Wuthering Heights Locket, ModCloth, $14.99, modcloth.com.
2. Top: All a girl needs to relax on the weekend is a leisurely morning sans alarm clock, a yummy cup of coffee paired with a good book and a beautifully draped tank. Drape Front Top, AK Anne Klein, $75, nordstrom.com.
3. Leggings: With a wide waistband and extra-stretchy material, these tights are the closest thing you’ll find to your favorite pair of pajama pants. Of course, these are far more worthy of a jaunt outside the bedroom. Plus Size Leggings, INC International Concepts, $39.00, macys.com.
4. Sweater: This sweater has plenty of details to go around. An eclectic mix of patterns, an A-line cut and perfectly puffed sleeves make this more than your average cardigan. Mix Stitch Cardigan in Dark Purple, Caslon, $68, nordstrom.com.
5. Boot: We don’t do heels on the weekend. It’s all flats, all the time. These riding boots have a rugged, sumptuous feel—sans hefty price tag. Ride Boot in Chestnut Medium, Nicole, $129, piperlime.com.
6. Bracelet: This golden cuff has a “handcrafted by an artisan feel,” but we assure you that you won’t pay dearly for the craftsmanship. It’s not only very affordable, but it’s also entirely adjustable. So it will, indeed, look as if it were made just for you. Archimedes Cuff, ModCloth, $15.99, modcloth.com.