What to wear when it's raining-1930s to 1950s inspiratiion

When the skies darken and the rain starts to pour, chances are you’ve asked yourself the age-old question: what should I wear? If you’re looking for inspiration that’s fun, practical, and rooted in history, the fashion trends of the 1930s to 1950s have something for everyone. From classic trench coats and chic ponchos to quirky rain hats and sensible rain boots, discover the 1930s to the 1950s best pieces for staying dry and stylish in any storm.

Note: At the end I provide vintage shopping tips on where to get your own vintage rain gear.


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & RocknRomance Vintage are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


What To Wear When It’s Raining-1930s to 1950s Inspiration

Vintage Rain Gear Advertising & Vintage Patterns to Inspire:

1930s Vintage Catalog Page for Rain Coats: I’m a big fan of the transparent raincoat (top on the right) which you will see a few more times below. Your outfit will never be hidden! Honestly though all those coats are pretty fantastic in this ad.

1930s Vintage Catalog Page for Rain Coats

Source

This is a early 1930s Canadian ad for a slicker called “Whooppee Slicker”. Comes in fun patterns I must say.

 early 1930s Canadian ad for a slicker aka a women's rain coat called "Whooppee Slicker".

Source: eBay

1940’s raincoat and rain hat vintage sewing pattern illustration.

1940's raincoat and rain hat vintage sewing pattern illustration.

Source

1940s Vintage Sewing Pattern for a women’s raincoat with hood.

1940s Vintage Sewing Pattern for a women's raincoat with hood.

Source: Etsy

Here are your transparent rain coats for both men and women made from Vinylite Plastics-1946 ad.

transparent rain coats for both men and women made from Vinylite Plastics-1946 ad.

Another plastic transparent rain coat from Follow me Quietly, 1949.

Follow me Quietly-plastic raincoat 1949 vintage photo. 1940s Fashion.

Source

Rain coats for the whole family in the 1950s! The green coat is so beautiful and did you notice her boots?? What a cool Fashion Frocks ad.

1950s Fashion Illustration from Fashion Frocks for Raincoats for the whole family!

1950s Vintage Sewing Pattern for Kids Rain Coats and Fall Jackets.

1950s Vintage Sewing Pattern for Kids Rain Coats and Fall Jackets.

Source: Etsy

Looking for some vintage rain boots that are also transparent?? Look no further than these darling “Rain Dears” with bow! Can I have 10???

1950s vintage ad for women's rainboots that are see thru called "Rain Dears".

1950s raincoat and rain gear ideas as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Wish Book catalog. What would you buy?

1950s raincoat and rain gear ideas as seen in a 1950s sears christmas catalog.

Source: Sears Wish Book

1953 ad for Firestone Velon Plastic. Love that even the dog has a rain coat 🙂

1953 ad for Firestone Velon Plastic featuring all the uses, like raincoats for humans and dogs.

Source

I cannot end this post without referencing some great rain-wear photos from “Singin in the Rain“.

1950s Singin in the Rain Movie Poster.

I want Debbie Reynolds boots in this picture.

1950s Singin in the Rain Movie Poster featuring rain coat fashions.

“Girls: Protect your curls!” 1950s vintage ad for a rain bonnet.

You can’t go wrong with a cute plastic rain bonnet (you can find lots of versions on Etsy, which I have shared some samples below).

Rainy Day Hair Idea: Rain Bonnet for the hairstyle you DID do. "Girls: Protect your curls!" 1950s vintage ad for a rain bonnet.

I recently did a video on a rain bonnet and how they work on TikTok. Take a look below!

@tovintagelizzie Hairstyle tip: How to protect your hair when it rains #hairtip #vintagehair #vintagetip #raining ♬ original sound – Liz Gruening-Vintage Lover

Here are some examples of vintage rain gear items you can take home and enjoy


(updated Feb 2024)

Vintage Shopping: I have put together an Etsy Collection that I update monthly of “Vintage Rain Gear“.

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.


Do you love the transparent rain coats I posted above? Well Etsy has a bunch of new and vintage styles, just hit the search button and pick what works for you. To get you started here is a vintage 1970’s clear vinyl raincoat with white polka dots (avail as of Feb 2024 HERE).

What to wear when it's raining: A Vintage 1970’s clear vinyl raincoat with white polka dots

Source: Etsy

RocknRomance Vintage is a brand that makes REPRODUCTION 1940s & 1950s fashions (aka modern sizes and fabrics), they have a cute ‘Semi Transparent’ raincoat that you can purchase from their website (this one is made to order). Take a look by clicking HERE or the image below.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Semi Transparent Raincoat in modern day data-lazy-sizes from RocknRomance Vintage. Made to order, perfect to cover up your vintage styles.

1950s overshoes. These black rain boots are two-tone glossy and matte rubber with cuban heels. They slip on and are just below mid-calf (avail as of Feb 2024 HERE).

1950s Fashion: vintage overshoes from circa 50s. These black rain boots are two-tone glossy and matte rubber with cuban heels. They slip on and are just below mid-calf

Source: Etsy

Late 1950s Baby Rain Jacket that features a bright yellow trim with a clear body with yellow poppies and white daisies.

Late 1950s Baby Rain Jacket that features a bright yellow trim with a clear body with yellow poppies and white daisies

Source: Etsy

Look at this adorable 1950s rain bonnet box with a surprise inside..the rain bonnet itself! LOVE THIS! The seller has more styles, that are just too cute!

Purchase from Nkempantiques

1950s rain bonnet box
1950s rain bonnet box

Source: Etsy

1950s ladies full length raincoat with hood & 3 snap fasteners in handy purse size pouch.

1950s Ladies Full Length Raincoat with Hood & 3 Snap Fasteners in Handy Purse Size Pouch

Source: Etsy

Well I think I have lots of ideas now on what to wear when it’s raining, I can’t wait for it to rain now. HA!

Share your favourite way of staying dry, in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz