Best Rain and Snow Gear for Women Over 50

Boots, umbrellas, gloves and hats to face any storm in style

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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Published December 02, 2024

(Left to Right) Dolce Vita Women’s Cloudy H2O Strapped Rain Boots in Dune Patent, Everlane’s Waffle Scarf in Camel, Michael Kors Michael Logo Charm Croc-Embossed Fuzzy Ear Warmers in Black, GapFit Nylon Crossbody Bag in Black or Olive Night, Banana Republic Factory Ribbed Pom Beanie in Transition Cream.

AARP (Getty Images; Banana Republic; Macy’s, 2; Everlane, GAP Factory)

Some mature women have a cheery attitude toward bad weather. They’re the ones in trendy puffers and bright sweaters striding through slushy parking lots. When it rains, they smile, pull on a chic raincoat and waterproof boots, and grab an umbrella. All it takes is a little strategy. How do I know? I’m a beauty and style editor and personal shopper for women over 50, so let me tell you something. Not one of these women wants a downpour or flurries to wreck their blow-out or curls. They don’t want their “good” leather boots and bags wrecked by the weather. What they do want is to stay dry, warm, stylish and safe — rain, snow or shine. Here’s how you can do it too:

Wild Fable Snood Hood Balaclava in Black (left), Banana Republic Factory Ribbed Pom Beanie in Plateau Beige Camel (center), Gap CashSoft Beanie in Terra Brown (right).

AARP (Target, Banana Republic, GAP)

1. Banish cold and wind with a beanie or balaclava.

These are the hats you want, the ones that keep volume in, frizz out and your head cozy. Forget you ever heard the term “hat hair.” That term belongs in the dark ages of beauty before women learned the fast fix of scrunchies and dry shampoo. Toasty balaclavas — that offer head, neck and face coverage — and beanies are pull-on knits that stretch to accommodate every head style and hairdo … and they stow easily in your coat pocket or bag. Sure, luxury brands like Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry do beanies too, but skip the pricey logo and opt for more affordable ribbed styles with a cuff like the Banana Republic Factory Ribbed Pom Beanie in Plateau Beige Camel, Black or Transition Cream ($18, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) and Gap CashSoft Beanie in Heather Grey, Terra Brown or True Black ($13, gap.com) in neutral colors that complement your coats and jackets. The beanie’s cuff is important — it adds extra emphasis to your eyes (kind of like bangs do) — and provides more protection for the ears. Go pom-pom free for a classic look; choose a pom-pom beanie for attitude. Balaclavas like the Free People Over My Head Ribbed Balaclava in Grey ($48, freepeople.com) and Wild Fable Snood Hood Balaclava in Black ($17, target.com) are another option. Roomier than beanies in fit, they slip over hair and neck for coverage from biting winds and icy temperatures.

Michael Kors Michael Logo Charm Croc-Embossed Fuzzy Ear Warmers in Black (left) and Heat Holders Women’s Alta Headband Ear Warmers in Cloud Grey (right).

AARP (Macy’s, JCPenney)

2. Not a hat person? Choose earmuffs and ski bands.

Sorry, but you’re not getting away with skipping ear protection. If you’re still wary of compression around your head or anything that could disrupt your waves, curls or spiky pixie, know that earmuffs and knit bands won’t cause hair anxiety or a headache (two common excuses for hat resisters). Opt for an upscale look with a chic knit band like the Heat Holders Women’s Alta Headband Ear Warmers in Black, Cloud Grey or Buttercream ($10, jcpenney.com) or dressy earmuffs like the Michael Kors Michael Logo Charm Croc-Embossed Fuzzy Ear Warmers in Black ($41, macys.com). Leave the kitschy-cute textures, colors and sparkles to the kids. One more thing: If you wear hearing aids, ear-warmers along with beanies and balaclavas can help resolve the “whistling” issue due to windy weather affecting the microphone.

Most Popular

Surell Faux Fur Pompom Scarf in Coffee (left), Fraas Women’s Punch Needle Windowpane Scarf in Chinchilla (center), and Everlane’s Waffle Scarf in Heather Grey (right)

AARP (Bloomingdale’s, 2; Everlane)

3. Let scarves winterize your coats and jackets.

Remember mufflers? Those long, chunky and often itchy danglers that were a chore to wrap and more like neck braces than fashion? They’ve been updated by supple knit scarves that drape easily like the J. Crew Factory Cable Knit Scarf in Natural or Heather Barley ($20, factory.jcrew.com), Everlane’s Waffle Scarf in Camel, Black and Heather Grey ($43, everlane.com) and short neckline-filling faux-fur scarves like the Surell Faux Fur Pompom Scarf in Black or Coffee ($40, bloomingdales.com). They’re the best choice for coats with a notched collar or to add additional warmth at the neck and chest where drafts sneak in. FYI: If you have a cold-weather coat with a high closure like a funnel neck and/or wear lots of turtlenecks, adding a scarf may be redundant. But there’s another reason to buy a new scarf or two. Any scarf, and especially generously sized styles like the Chico’s Leopard Cashmere Wrap in Animal Print ($170, chicos.com) and the Fraas Women’s Punch Needle Windowpane Scarf in Chinchilla ($68, bloomingdales.com), have a superpower — the ability to “winterize” lighter coats and jackets like trench coats and leather jackets or heavy sweaters worn with a down vest. Sling one on casually over any of the above to reinforce coverage and build additional warmth in seconds.

Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Pop Top Mittens in Classic Camel (left), Leopard-Print Calf Hair and Leather Touch-Tech Gloves in Brown (center), and Lands’ End Women’s Everyday Stretch Gloves in Black (right).

AARP (Nordstrom, J.Crew, Lands’ End)

4. Choose gloves and mittens for a tech-driven life.

Be realistic. It’s time to swap old gloves and mittens for screen-friendly ones that enable you to text, talk on your phone and touchscreen your GPS while wearing them. In general, gloves have always had a more polished look and better finger mobility. Mittens have a nostalgic look and offer the warmth of shared finger space. There are updates for both. “Smart gloves” like the lightweight, driving-friendly Lands’ End Women’s Everyday Stretch Gloves in Black or Dusk Gray ($40, landsend.com), chic styles like the Leopard-Print Calf Hair and Leather Touch-Tech Gloves in Brown ($83, jcrew.com) and sweater-y options like the Talbots Soft Cable Knit Gloves Style # 57404530 in Black, Grey Sky Heather or Red Pop ($40, talbots.com) all have built-in fingertip touch technology. Mitten fans can opt for those with a convertible flip top like the Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Pop Top Mittens in Faded Black or Classic Camel ($29, nordstrom.com) and Uniqlo’s Women’s HeatTech Lined Souffle Knitted Mittens in 54 Green and 67 Blue ($15, uniqlo.com/us) that free fingers for cellphone use, screens, detailed maneuvers like pulling a credit card out of your wallet or snacking without messing up the fabric.

Dolce Vita Women’s Cloudy H2O Strapped Rain Boots in Dune Patent (left), Hunter Refined Gloss Quilt Tall Rain Boots in Black (center), and Bogs Women’s Sweetpea II Chelsea Rain Boots in Black (right).

AARP (Macy’s, Zappos, Kohl’s)

5. Weatherproof boots with a fashionable look.

Most women who live in very wintery climates have a pair of rugged, hiker-inspired “snow” boots; those who live in cool-to-cold places count on cozy shearling boots for fireside evenings and frosty days; everyone else from Florida to L.A. seems to consider sneakers the fallback solution for rain. And while all these options work, they either don’t keep your tootsies dry (sneakers) or lack the aesthetics for polished outfits (snow boots and shearlings). This means changing to other shoes or boots for indoor wear, workplaces and dressier days when leggings or joggers just don’t cut it. What’s missing from your closet? Waterproof boots with sturdy traction soles that look every bit as stylish as posh leather ones, like the Quince Waterproof Ankle Rain Boot in Black ($70, quince.com), A New Day Women’s Chelsea Rain Boots in Black ($25, target.com) and the Bogs Women’s Sweetpea II Chelsea Rain Boots in Black ($64, kohls.com). Styled just like the leather Chelsea boots that have become a wardrobe basic for women who wear pants and jeans, these also feature a pull tab and elastic gore for easy on/off, but the big extra benefit is the total protection they provide from slush, ice and puddles (unlike water-resistant boots that can allow moisture to seep through at the feet). Those who wear dresses or want a classy tall boot to wear over leggings or skinny jeans can opt for waterproof riding boots with cushioned insoles like the Dolce Vita Women’s Cloudy H2O Strapped Rain Boots in Midnight Patent or Dune Patent ($90, macys.com) and the Hunter Refined Gloss Quilt Tall Rain Boots in Black ($185, zappos.com) with round toes for plenty of wiggle room for toes and socks. Fashionable and pricey, but worth a splurge.

GapFit Nylon Crossbody Bag in Olive Night (left) and Totes Clear Bubble Umbrella (right).

AARP (GAP Factory, Macy’s)

6. Snag a rain- and snow-resistant bag and umbrella.

Bet you forgot about these essentials. Women have learned from experience that a shoulder bag and a winter coat are often incompatible during inclement weather. They slip off puffers and parka shoulders and make accessing keys and wallet difficult when you’re wearing gloves. Stormy days are a signal to move your must-haves to a lightweight, water-resistant nylon bag in a secure crossbody style like the GapFit Nylon Crossbody Bag in Black or Olive Night ($24, gapfactory.com) or the Sol & Selene Quilted Medium Crossbody in Black, Cream or Grey ($70, bloomingdales.com). And last but not least, this is the year to treat yourself to a clear “bubble” style umbrella like the Totes Clear Bubble Umbrella ($29, macys.com) for maximum visibility when crossing streets, walking through busy parking lots or anywhere … safely!

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.

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