Seattleites: How do you deal with the rain?

Laura

Umbrellas? Hoods? Don't care about getting wet?

I'm not a fan of using umbrellas so I've been trying to think of how to deal with the upcoming rainy season. I haven't seen any jacket/coat that I like with a hood except this one (but its out of my budget):

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....8518985007

So I'm curious...do you carry around an umbrella? If so, doesn't that get tiring?

I'm thinking of buying one of those goofy scarves with hoods and tucking it into a coat. Anyone else do that? I haven't tried it so I don't know if its practical or not.

16 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from sinead

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am a pro at dealing with the rain! I have had lots of practice and contunie to do so :0) I am out on the streets much more than anyone I know here in Seattle and I do not get wet. Got to look fabulous darling!

OF COURSE, I carry an umbrella. How can you not unless you have two small children in tow. Then you need a weather proof trench with a hood AND crossbody bag.

16 years ago

Anonymous

This is a great question. Speaking for myself, I run from car to building alot. I don't usually carry an umbrella because it is very inconvenient when you get indoors with a wet umbrella to stash. I think it depends on your lifestyle whether you will want to carry an umbrella or have a hat or hood handy.

16 years ago

Laura

Active Member

I'm ok with umbrellas when I know I'll be out in the rain for a long time. My commute just requires about 5-10 min of being uncovered. So I guess I'm hoping to get by without an umbrella.

I'll have to keep looking for a coat w/hood that I like...

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Oooh, I'm glad you started this thread.

I am a bus commuter, and my previous commutes made rain pretty negligible because I only had a block to walk uncovered, but with my new job I have a 10 minute walk from my bus stop to my office building. That's not a long time, but on the rare day when it pours buckets instead of just drizzling, that can be enough to get soaked.

Carrying an umbrella will be a must, and I have some trench coats that are okay for light rain. I also have other coats that are not rain-proof but are great for slightly drizzly and cold winter days. However, since I'll be more exposed to the elements than I used to, I'm debating whether I should invest in a truly waterproof trench coat, or if I should just use my gear-like but rainproof slicker (which is small enough to fit in my handbag if the rain stops mid-day.)

16 years ago

fathenry

Veteran

Hi Tortoise,
Like the other gals, I commute on the bus in Seattle and rely on some basics.
1) Invest in a tiny umbrella that fits in your handbag and carry it all the time. Keep another in your desk/office and a third in your car trunk.
2) Consider stylish jacket with a detachable hood. You can go without the hood most of summer but reattach it for fall. This is perfect for when it sprinkles and your hands are full.
3) tuck your pants into boots or wear boots under trousers. There is nothing worse than wet feet or when your wet pantleg sticks to your bare leg.
4) Consider an adorable hat, possibly one that can fold and tuck in your handbag. I love the cloche-style hats that were shown in the talbots lookbook. This is part of your fall outerwear wardrobe, you take it off when you get to work along with the jacket. (Meaning, you don't have to be a hat person to try this out).
5) Go for lower-maintenance hair. This is a lifesaver when facing the wind and rain and hats. Go with a hair style/texture that you can easily smooth out once you get in the office. Carry a tiny brush in your handbag.

Hope this helps!

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I carry an umbrella - it's a very old habit and I don't think twice about it. I have a trench coat and sort of a fashion anorak with a hood. I don't think Seattle rain requires anything really extreme.
As for shoes, I always had a bus or foot commute and I tend to go for something sturdier anyway. I haven't worn wellies since 8th grade, but now I am pondering a pair for SAHM activities. I need to look into the ones Eva modeled on the blog.
Angie, that's a great point about 2 little kids, I need to give it some thought. I really don't like being without an umbrella.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great tips from everyone. Tortoise, is this your first wet season in Seattle? You’ll get the hang of it soon enough. This is western European weather if that helps. I commute a lot on foot and there are many ways to combat the wet and cold, AND still look great :0)

More things to think about:

o I have small umbrella’s everywhere – in my bag, car and house so that I am never without.

o Weatherproof your shoes with spray.

o Do not wear boot cuts when it pours because they’ll get very wet. You need to tuck jeans into boots or wear skinnies/ straight legs with shoes. Skirts and dresses with boots are a much better idea than boot cuts too. Everything stays dry that way.

o Commute in fashionable wellies and change at the office.

o Use a lightweight umbrella. Our rain is light and small umbrellas are just fine.

Marianne, you need a trench with a hood :0)

16 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

I live in Ireland which would seem to have similar weather patterns- If any of you have seen the film 'Angela's Ashes', that is the weather in my city for five months of the year.

I also walk everywhere or commute by bus so I often have to be prepared for the worst weather possible in Autumn, Winter and Spring (and lets admit it, Summer too).

Umbrellas are quite useful, I own a medium sized golf umbrella as they tend to stand up to the wind a bit better but if carrying that around is going to be a hassle for the day, I bring a small umbrella which can be popped into my handbag.

Skinnies and boots have proved to be one of the best answers to the rain and accompanying puddles, but I do have a pair of wellies that get pulled out for torrential rain.

I used to wear hats to stop my hair from getting soaked as well but ever since I cut my hair and it doesn't go frizzy and wavy, it isn't really too much of an issue any longer.

16 years ago

sinead

Active Member

There are always articles here in Seattle about people not using umbrellas, what's a little rain?, etc... don't believe it! I'm convinced those articles are written by macho guys trying to get in touch with their seafaring side. If you're a woman who doesn't want to look like a drowned rat, you have to have umbrellas and hoods. My winter coat has a hood and I used it more than I should have (needed a trench).

I start the winter with 4-5 umbrellas. One for the car, one by the door, several stashed away. Either I or the kids and their friends will "disappear" at least two over the winter. I never spend much on them so that I don't get upset when they're gone.

And I second fathenry's suggestion about low maintenance hair! The damp will win out against any complicated style.

16 years ago

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