The Parisian Girl's Guide to Looking Chic When It's Raining

last updated 22 April 2017

There are plenty of really crazy, super-expensive, attention-grabbing outfits to get sidetracked by at any given fashion week, no matter the city. But Paris Fashion Week is also a thriving street style scene for highly replicable wardrobe ideas too. Thanks to the torrential rain, there's been a raft of looks that you can easily copy, paste, and steal for the week ahead. Because goodness knows it'll probably rain here too.

So rather than the standout "total looks" that can move quickly from the runway and into the closets of, say, Anna Dello Russo, we've delved through the images to bring you a definitive set of ensembles that feel within reach. The kind that celebrate such simple things as the jeans you already own, that trench coat hidden in the back of your wardrobe or the silver boot trend you've probably bought into over the past week. In fact, the high-shine ankle boots are about as wild as this chic bunch get.

Go through the gallery to see some real outfit inspiration direct from the pavements of Paris…

Style Notes: With a cagoule and umbrella in hand those white shots and stirrup leggings will stay dry. You're also looking at 2017's version of athleisure.

Shop for the best black leggings right now.

Style Notes: Wearing long jeans and don't want them to act like a sponge, soaking up all the rain on the pavement? Ensure you have a pair of spiky, patent heels to keep the water away.

Style Notes: The booming checked print trend has apparently even reach umbrella designers…

Shop the best checked blazers around.

Style Notes: The vinyl trousers trend strikes again. Surely the most waterproof of all the most popular items around right now?

Style Notes: Once again, Lisa Aiken proves her style nous with a classic black jumper, jeans and black ankle boots formula. It's the silver trench that really sets this look apart—and we'll definitely be copying.

Shop for the best ankle boots.

Style Notes: Sure, the shoes aren't exactly storm-proof, but the high-shine trench is precisely what you need in changeable conditions (maybe it will keep water off your toes).

Style Notes: When it's cold and miserable, all you want is a coat that keeps you looking chic but warm at the same time. Both these white outwear pieces do exactly that. Add a scarf in a bright colour to give any dull-day outfit a lift.

Style Notes: When the super-chic Sarah Rutson starts styling a parka like this, we pay attention. She's paired it with a blazer and matching wide-leg trousers—it's your new work look.

Shop for the best parka coats.

Style Notes: It wasn't all neutrals at PFW. Leaf Greener ramped up the S/S 17 colour combinations a notch, pairing pea green with cobalt blue to great effect. It works because every item here is plain and unfussy.

Style Notes: It takes a brave woman to wear white shoes in the rain, but we applaud Caroline Issa's optimistic outlook. We also really love the mannish checked coat worn with true-blue jeans and a khaki roll-neck.

See the checked coat everyone's buying from the high street.

Style Notes: The vinyl trouser trend has really taken over the streets of PFW. Camille Charrière does the contrast of comfort and sassiness rather well with her cosy bomber jacket and stiletto slingback accompaniments.

We tested all of the vinyl trousers to find out which ones are the best.

Style Notes: Now here's a novel way to do double denim and still feel feminine. An embroidered piece set against '80s-wash mom jeans and white accessories feels very ready for spring.

Learn how to wear classic Levi's 501s in even more ways.

Style Notes: Patent? Tick. Metallic boots? Tick. Roll-neck? Tick. This bold outfit has a lot going but still remains on the right side of effortless. Maybe it's down to the tucked hair and simple jeans…

Shop the best of the silver boot trend.

Style Notes: When it comes to finding the best winter coat, a bigger shape certainly does make an impact. It means you can wear your regular down-time look underneath, like Kate Foley pictured here, and still seem like you've made a high-fashion choice.

Style Notes: These go-faster trousers aren't going anywhere for spring, but here's a new way to wear them. A cropped jacket is actually a wonderful trick for looking taller.

Style Notes: Nicole Warne of the blog Gary Pepper Girl has inspired us to wear last year's slip dress with a simple jersey crew-neck shirt and heels for the next night out we have.

Here's how to wear your slip dress when it's still winter.

Style Notes: Bright colour-blocked separates are a key look for spring 2017, but it's always easiest to approach when you throw some black staples into the mix.

Style Notes: Danish stylist Alex Carl is our current obsession. Well, when you can make something as simple as a puffer coat and jeans look this hip, you can't blame us. The extra points come from her off-beat mustard-coloured Loewe bag, kitten-heel boots and nerdy specs.

Find out about the other kitten-heel trend that's taking off.

Style Notes: That's two parkas in the mix and two very different ways to wear them. If you prefer a more dressed-up route, take a cue from the thigh-high boots and smart handbag approach here.

Style notes: A camel coat worn with jeans and a tee is a time-honoured outfit idea—but throw in some chunky boots, a beanie hat and posh bag into the mix, and you've got yourself a fresh take.

This taps into the motif tee trend we're noticing everywhere.

Style Notes: Checks are clearly a common thread here. Why not double up on them and use a concise colour palette to make the print clash even easier?

Style Notes: This is like Princess Margaret style for the modern age—a little bit of leg to offset the heritage checks, white roll-neck and outdoors-y jacket. Genius work from Diletta Bonaiuti.

Next up! The seven biggest spring/summer 2017 fashion trends you need to know about.

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Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. She joined in 2015 when she launched the UK sister site following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine as fashion news and features editor. With experience in print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 18 years of experience as a journalist, editor and content strategist. Her opinion has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com and she is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.