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A heretofore…

rachylou

Veteran

Unknown issue. The weather has been very odd and I’m confronted with a new problem. It’s been very humid - thunderstorm humid. But it’s still the SF Bay Area and chilly. And my beloved puffies are, gasp, impossible to wear. It’s like being in a sauna. Any thoughts wise ones on what makes for a good coat in cold humid weather?

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Bijou

Veteran

Gortex is good for this type of weather or a light trench. I have a very old Burberry 3/4 trench and it is useful for these conditions. Hopefully puffy weather will be with you very soon.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Agree with Bijou. Something like this coat from my Finds?

Bernardo Bernardo Metallic Rain Jacket (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Joy

Veteran

A short light weight puffy or a quilted coat may be what you need. The shorter the coat the more it exposes the body to breeze. You might vary length until finding the right one for your conditions. Hi I’d cold will probably feel colder than dry cold. If so, try wool or silk long underwear or Cuddle Duds. The bonus is that it can also be used as pjs in cold weather. Good luck and let us know what works.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Wool. It breathes & is warm. Has natural lanolin to fend off the moisture. Get you a good Scottish sweater & you’ll be fine.

Then there’s this attempt to combine the two, wool and puffer. I offer it as proof of concept, and assume you could find a more attractive version of you look harder than I just did. https://www.farawayclothing.co.....dark-grey/

Or you could just do an anorak like the ones I see around here all the time these days. There are technical fabrics made to do what wool does. Some of them are even kind of puffy. Right now, San Fran (midnight) is 10 F cooler and has 3% more humidity than here (9 am) and Berliner are out there in their goretex or other tech fabric anoraks.

Get you to an REI and they will take care of you, or check out the offerings at my newest fave, Orvis. They don’t make a big deal of it, but reading product descriptions shows lots of sustainability moves.

Also, I’m surprised. I thought chilly and humid (foggy) *was* San Fran weather.

ETA I thought this was about outerwear, but of course Joy is right that good base layers work too. Try Odowool or Icebreaker some of those other merino long johns that LaPed wears. Dilling and Gieswein might work too.

Anonymous

I have Jenni's coat, and wear it mostly in spring and fall. That's when we get the most rain. It would be fine down to about 45 degrees I'd say. I would not say that it's the most breathable for hot humid weather thunderstorms though.

Lands End could be a good place to look. I was surprised by the humidity when I went to Maine, so I'm sure they'd have options.

Minaminu

Veteran

Humidity is a pain as it can change so quickly and makes it difficult to dress! I'd say any breathable materials would be great for that type of weather, in layers. Maybe a denim jacket with some layers of cotton/merino wool tops could be the answer.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Denim jacket? Utility jacket?

LaPed

Veteran

Wool! Some sort of boiled jacket or densely knit sweater/cardigan. Sherpa fleece could be a good option too, and there’s tons of it out there right now — truckers, bombers, hoodies... Carry an umbrella or very light packable anorak for when the sky does open up.

Jules

Veteran

Puffer vest instead of coat? Keeps the core warm but the arms ventilated. Pashmina type scarf? They go on and off easily, can be worn around the neck or as a shawl, and easily ripped off and stashed in your purse. Scarves made the difference in my Canadian winter transit commute from well below freezing outside to crowded subway because I could instantly loosen or remove a scarf.

cat2

Veteran

Lightweight trench or anorak, or one of those quilted walking coats, like the Joules ones. I survived SF in a short black Burberry trench and a short black Burberry quilted walking coat. I imagine you can find more stylish alternatives; Stella McCartney for Adidas is where I would start.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I did not know Joule walking coats were a thing. I have one in my finds. 100% cotton, but no clue of its providence. Also says it’s waterproof, but not how it gets that way. London Fog partners with DuPont, or at least they did bitd.

Joules Women's Coast Waterproof Hooded Raincoat

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Understand this completely, Rachy. I am also on the US West Coast and we are having the same weird humid weather that is..... hot-cold-hot-cold......

Puffers and leather - even lightweight - are too sticky.

I'm with Brooklyn and Bijou. Denim jackets and cotton-rich rain coats. I'm wearing these a lot for that:

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G-Star Raw 3301 Slim Denim Jacket

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Liverpool Liverpool

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Marks and Spencer

M&S Collection Cotton Hooded Parka Jacket

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SCOTCH & SODA Scotch & Soda Workwear Cotton Jacket | Nordstrom

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BILLY T Embroidered Denim Jacket

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Levi's Levi's Water Repellent Hooded Parka | Nordstrom

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cat2

Veteran

SF seldom has torrential downpours, so just having a waterproof fabric without any weird coatings is usually fine.

kkards

Veteran

Layers.
and yes to wool which is very good at regulating temperatures

JAileen

Veteran

Just wear a light cotton jacket, and carry an umbrella.

Bonnie

Veteran

It's very humid where I live and when I feel cold it's usually because of the wind. I found sweatshirts to be useful. They block the wind without making me too warm. I'd like to find some better fitting, cuter ones than the two I have. I miss my puffy jackets, too.

Zella Rudi Moto Zip Hoodie

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Zella Rudi Moto Zip Hoodie

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rachylou

Veteran

Oh wow, Angie. The weird humidity stretches up the whole western seaboard? Wow. Bonnie, you’re on the west coast too?

It’s really quite odd and I readily confess, folks, to not understanding how humidity works. Because it’s true, it’s often foggy and the humidity is such that powdery mildew is always an issue in the garden. But jacket stickiness has never been a thing in my recall.

It’s really too bad the REI Labor Day sale was, well, on Labor Day - last weekend. I’m usually reticent about short jackets and drafts, but maybe this is finally the moment. I have a quilted cotton bomber and possibly a Goretex parka in the basement. And denim/canvas jackets. I’d like a long trench for this. Maybe I’ll try those with some underlayers/sweatshirt/scarf and go looking for a trench today (I’m doubtful about finding one right now, but what the hey, adventure!)

Oh, and I have a cowichan cardigan coat!

Haha… and I wanted to toss all my winter scarves… !

Vildy

Veteran

Me, I would avoid denim and probably any pure cotton in humidity, whether hot or cold, as it gets clammy. Think old fashioned wool is a pretty good idea. What about a duffle coat?

nemosmom

Veteran

Another vote for wool. Also, waxed cotton is a great moisture-repellant that is breathable. My Barbour waxed jacket was a lifesaver in my many years in San Francisco. If super cold, I layered a merino hoodie under.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I’m thinking cotton utility jackets—I agree, waxed would be good. You could layer underneath it.

Bonnie

Veteran

Now you've got me thinking about updating my sweatshirts. I'd love to get the Veronica Beard but my frugal nature thinks I'd better try the Kut.

Veronica Beard Siedel Zip Sweatshirt

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KUT from the Kloth Madelyn Convertible Sleeve Zip-Up Hoodie

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rachylou

Veteran

That Veronica Beard is super cute, but that’s some serious moola, lol. Maybe I shouldn’t dive into a trench coat… I’m remembering that I had a duffle coat I really liked when I lived in SF proper. It’s curious how I existed without puffies then - only wool coats. Hmm.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Jacket sticky ness is definitely a thing here too so l am watching this thread with interest to see if anyone comes up with the solution.

Greyscale

Veteran

Just here to agree that this weather is super weird and unsettling. I think it's the smoke layer trapping the air differently.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

It’s still smoky there???

Anonymous

Maybe a summer sweater. I have been wearing them lately and have found they are weather friendly in my neck of the woods

Sheryl

I like the American Giant storm hoodie - it is a regular hoodie, but it has a finish that is water resistant, but it feels like a regular hoodie. Expensive, but really well made.

Kate

Veteran

For that situation, tissue weight wool. Gortex would also work. I live in an area of high humidity with very little cool-down until, until oh, maybe October, so cotton or a cotton & linen blend works well. But in really high humidity, any of them will make you feel like you're being smothered.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting that wool is recommended - I would hesitate to wear it in the humid weather. Because sheep live in the desert right ?

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