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Rainy Day Spring Outfit: Stripes + Cigarette Ankle Jeans

It’s ironic that I’m sharing this look today because our weather is much like it was the day we shot this look.

Here in Pennsylvania, we get quite a mix of weather, which makes outdoor photo shoots very interesting. It seems like it’s either windy, cold, hot, raining, or snowing… very rarely is it sunny and mild with no wind.

It was 28 degrees and sunny when I met Alison to shoot a look for my Galentine’s Day post. I had a few other outfits I wanted to shoot that day as well, but my fingers and toes were numb by the time I got back to the car, so we decided to cut it short and try again the following week.

When we met up to shoot the rest of my outfits, it was a balmy 45 degrees, but with a steady drizzle. It was the only day that week we were both free, so we decided to make the best of it.

Why not shoot a rainy day spring outfit?

I found this striped sweater and these dark wash jeans at Nordstrom when I was shopping last week.

Both are on the pricier side, so I would typically wait for a sale, but I went ahead and splurged because both pieces filled a hole in my wardrobe.

As you know, I’ve been trying to incorporate some straighter denim styles into my outfits. I thought I only liked the shorter cropped lengths, but when I tried on this dark wash ankle-length pair, I was pleasantly surprised!

These jeans are a cigarette style, which is basically a skinny jean that isn’t tapered at the ankle. They have a 29″ inseam and an 11″ leg opening, whereas most skinny jeans have a 9.5 or 10″ leg opening.

This way, I get the snug fit that I like through the hips and thighs, but a straighter silhouette overall.

It plays into the straighter styles that are trending right now, without going all the way to a “mom jean” that is loose from hip to hem.

For a more budget-friendly alternative, check out these Gap high rise cigarette jeans.

This super dark wash is flattering and easy to dress up or down. Plus, it’s different than anything else I have in my closet at the moment.

I don’t think I would have thought to pair these jeans with the white leather sneakers, but they’re what I wore to the mall that day, so I threw them on.

Even the sales associate working with me remarked on how nicely they complemented these jeans.

I think it’s because there is just enough skin showing at the ankle to keep the look modern, and somehow, the high contrast between the dark wash and light shoe works.

The trick is to find a the right top, so I don’t shorten the line of the leg too much.

This sweater is by Reformation, a brand that is committed to creating eco-conscious and sustainable clothing.

The fabric is 70% recycled cashmere, 25% cashmere, and 5% wool. It’s lightweight, and the color palette gives a nod to spring, but it’s still very warm due to the wool and cashmere blend.

I’ve been hearing a lot about Reformation lately, but this is the first time I tried any of their pieces. I have to say, I’m a fan.

It’s incredibly soft, and while it’s a thinner knit, it’s dense and doesn’t seem like it will pill easily. I also love how they’re generous with length in the sleeves.

This sweater is only 21″ long, so it’s not quite cropped, but definitely shorter than the more common 25″ or 26″ length. I’m also in the large, and the 21″ is based on a medium, so it may actually be 22″.

I’m wearing the large because they didn’t have the medium in stock when I was shopping, and I kind of like the relaxed fit. I have since received the medium in the mail, and it’s definitely the right size for me.

All that to say, I recommend sizing up one from your normal. (Small is my normal; medium would be the right size, but large is fine for a more relaxed fit.)

At any rate, this sweater works really well with these jeans, and I like how the navy stripe ties into their dark wash.

My stripe print is low inventory, but this sweater also comes in solid colors and a few other striped color ways.

This outfit is perfect for springtime in the northeast. Our temperatures usually stay cool well into April, and we get a lot of rain, but I’m starting to get tired of wearing grey sweaters and boots… if you can believe it!

I like how the print and colors in this sweater look like springtime, but it’s still plenty warm.

The leather sneakers are a nice break from boots and still hold up to wet weather, and the dark wash jeans are just fun for a change. The straighter silhouette looks fresh but still classic.

Outfit Details:

Reformation sweater // AG Prima ankle jeans (budget option) // Veja Esplar sneakers // Lucky Brand hoops

Of course, I would typically wear a raincoat!

Rainy Day Style: Jo-Lynne Shane wearing Hunter Refined Rain Boots, The North Face Laney II Trench Raincoat, and Topshop Stef Metal Handle Tote Bag.

My favorite is sold out, but I recently did a try-on haul where I tried a few similar options.

The North Face City Midi Trench was my favorite, with the Columbia Splash A Little II Rain Jacket a close second.

What does your rainy day style look like?

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photos: Alison Cornell

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29 Responses

  1. This would have been the perfect outfit for me today as we are having rain, rain and more rain in Austria, with some snow forecast for later in the week. I do have black jeans on, but paired them with a bright pink turtleneck to chase away the clouds.

  2. I love this outfit and you look so good in it!  I need to add a pair of cigarette jeans to my closet!  It’s one style that I don’t have and I know I will reach for them often.  I have a clear bubble umbrella with a paisley design on it that I love using!  Bubble umbrellas were very popular when I was a teen.  Like up there, yesterday was so sunny, and that has come to an abrupt halt.  No rain today, but it will be here Tues. – Thurs., and the rivers and a lot of creeks are already above flood stage.  I’m so excited for Caroline!  Have fun!

  3. I love these jeans. Pretty sure I NEED them. Had a snowy day all day yesterday at our vaca place in NE Wisconsin. Enjoyed the fireplace & cooked a lot. Perfect day to unwind. Sunny today but time to head home. My rain gear looks pretty similar to yours (big surprise). Congrats to Caroline on her new car. Definite life milestone. Of course she did not sleep, would any of us back in the day?

  4. I really like this outfit, especially the dark wash jeans. Kind of getting tired of all the lighter options and distressing out there. What size are the jeans? The website says to size up. Do you agree?

  5. I love this look but not able to wear something like this until possibly the end of April. I live where it will be cold and SNOW until mid April. You might be tired of grey sweaters but they truly are practical for many of your readers. And don’t get  me going on the no-show sock thing……that only works where it is warm and whoever started that must live where the weather does not frost-bite your ankles. I will get back to no-show socks in May Those rubber boots look great for April….why is it that fashion bloggers never write about fabulous snow boots?

    1. See, here’s the thing. When I post about snow boots in February, I get comments from southerners about it being too warm for snow boots. When I post an early spring look, I get comments from midwesterners that they need to cover their ankles. I happen to live in Pennsylvania. This is very practical for me. But I don’t only share what’s practical for me. I share a variety. If this look doesn’t work for you, tune back in tomorrow. Maybe that look will. And I see plenty of bloggers posting about awesome snow boots. SMH

      1. Don’t get me wrong…I do love your posts…..they are just way ahead of where my weather is. I have never seen any fashion blogger that has posted about winter boots/coats….I can scroll back on their posts if I need to…..perhaps you can direct me since all of you bloggers seem to know one another 🙂

        1. I realize that I’m ahead of a lot of people, and behind a lot of people. There is no way to be all the things, and while I try to be mindful, I will most often revert to what is practical here. 🙂

          That said, I’ve done snow boots in the past quite a few times. Just this year, I did these Sorels – https://jolynneshane.com/outdoor-gift-ideas-with-rei.html and these – https://jolynneshane.com/for-those-early-bird-holiday-shoppers.html

          And I did hiker boots too – https://jolynneshane.com/how-to-style-fashionable-hiking-boots.html

          Plus I’ve featured my Sorels and hiker boots in several what I wore posts, like this one: https://jolynneshane.com/my-daily-looks-what-i-wore-lately.html

          In previous years, I did Sorels here – https://jolynneshane.com/holiday-gifting-ideas-with-bloomingdales.html and here – https://jolynneshane.com/winter-ready-with-bloomingdales.html.

          And these here – https://jolynneshane.com/classy-snow-day-outfit.html and here – https://jolynneshane.com/snow-day.html

          And UGG snow boots here – https://jolynneshane.com/the-warmest-snow-boots.html

          Other bloggers that come to mind… Fashion Jackson has several travel packing guides for ski trips. I think Brighton the Day has done some on boots since she moved to Colorado. Southern Curls and Pearls did some hiker boots earlier in the season. Those are the ones that come to mind, but a lot of the fashion bloggers that do more travel than I do share boots for their winter vacations.

          This time of year, we bloggers are usually starting to post spring fashion because all the winter inventory is picked over, and many readers are asking us for spring styles, so you may have to search the archives to find more wintry looks. It’s definitely a good time to get a good deal, though, if you’re in the market for winter boots.

  6. This outfit looks great! I have these same jeans and have struggled with finding the appropriate length top to wear with them. I love your tips about getting proportions just right. It can really make a difference. Thanks!

  7. I admit I laughed out loud at your “balmy 45 degrees”. Since I also grew up in Pennsylvania (Northeast), I get it. Living in the south since 1992 has definitely thinned my blood because I’m still wearing my down filled puffer when it dips under 50 haha!
    Very cute outfit, though! I love those jeans! Dark wash is so classy!

  8. What a great way to embrace the weather! I love this outfit .. I’m getting tired of my black and grey sweaters and boots and oh yeah puffer coats. We have some snow today and it’s not looking like a great week weather wise… I know we won’t see spring weather until April ( if we are lucky) I’m so ready for a day to just wear my white sneakers leather jacket or even just a sweater 😳. It’s nice that you want to do photo shoots outdoors  but I like the ones at home just as much:) Save those for the warmer weather:)

    1. Yeah, the ones at home get old fast. I run out of new places, and a lot of the indoor spots have bad lighting. I’m not usually as happy with the indoor shots, but we definitely do use the inside when it’s too nasty out.

  9. Ok I’m just curious with what kind of car you got for your daughter and since you did lots of research, what about that car made you decide on it? Plus, I do love those earrings!

    1. We got her a VW Jetta. We drove the Impreza, Civic, Jetta, Corolla, and Prius. Yes, it was a busy week! LOL! We felt like we got the most bang for our buck out of the Jetta, and user satisfaction is pretty high. Paul has the GTI and loves it. She liked how it had a similar dash so it’s familiar to her. I was voting Civic, but for the same age and mileage, we would have paid a lot more, so this made us all happy.

  10. We usually have lots of rain right now too but finally got a break this weekend and today. So nice to see the sunshine even though it’s cool out. This time of year is so hard for me to know how to dress. I start wanting a Spring look but it’s too cold. This outfit you did great on. I need to see about getting some white sneakers. I’m not a tennishoe person and when I do, I wear Nike’s with workout type clothes. 

  11. PS. As for the ladies comment above. You do a great job with the timing of your season post.  Winter stuff really is picked over. It’s fun to see the new Spring stuff out. You help people get ready before it hits. You help with that transition. 

  12. I’m hopping on this post a day late, but I just had to make three comments:
    1-I love those dark jeans on you. The price makes them an investment piece for me, so I’ll start saving. 
    2-I’m from NE Ohio, so misery loves company. If we could just get a sunny day!!! And wouldn’t a big snow be fun?!?
    3-As a proud former owner of two VW Jettas, congrats!!! We just sold my ‘92 Jetta to a college student for $350! The obstinate car just won’t die!! 

    1. Hi Cindy. Thank you for your comment(s)! 🙂

      1 – They are really good! I will try styling them different ways, and see how versatile they are.
      2 – YES, I really want a big snow. I would happily wear more grey sweaters and boots if I had snow! 😉
      3 – That is awesome to hear. Paul has a GTI and loves it, but it’s only 4 years old so not sure how long it will last us.

      Caroline’s Jetta is also a 2016 so I hope she gets a lot of years out of it. My mom bought me a fairly new car when I was in high school, and we drove that until we had our first child. 🙂

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