Dressing for rain well means staying dry without looking like you're wearing a tarp.
A genuinely waterproof outer layer
Water-resistant is not the same as waterproof — check the label. A proper waterproof shell or coat is the one piece worth getting right, since everything else depends on staying dry underneath it.
Trousers in a fabric that won't cling
Avoid fabrics that go translucent or stick to your legs when wet. A slightly heavier cotton or technical blend handles rain far more gracefully than thin materials.
Waterproof or water-resistant footwear
Wet socks ruin a day fast. Treated leather boots or technical shoes with a water-resistant coating keep you comfortable long after fashion sneakers would have given up.
A hat with a real brim
A brimmed hat keeps rain off your glasses and face far better than a hood, and it doesn't restrict your peripheral vision the way a hood can. It's an underrated rainy-day upgrade.
A bag that protects what's inside
A water-resistant bag or a simple dry pouch inside your regular bag protects your phone, wallet, and anything else you're carrying — peace of mind that's easy to forget about until you need it.