What do you wear in hot, rainy weather? Update at end :)

We're finally in full on summer in the mid Atlantic. 80s-90s with high humidity, and therefore, "3S" dressing (sleeveless, skirts, sandals) through October. It's by far the easiest time of year to dress for for me, except when we get thunderstorms.

Carrying an umbrella is not an option cause I'm often carrying 50+ pounds of stuff around for work and need my hands free.

I have 2 raincoats which work well in Spring and Fall. They're long enough to cover most of my outfit, dressy enough to wear over workwear, and hooded, but I absolutely roast in them in summer.

So I thought maybe a sleeveless raincoat would be an idea. I'm fine with my arms getting wet, I just want to protect my outfits and hair. Remember my unsuccessful hunt for a sleeveless robe? Sigh... I found sleeveless trenches (with no hoods), and shorter gear like vests, but nothing dressy and hooded.

What do you wear when it's hot and stormy, but you still need to be dressy enough for work?

Update: Raincaper was a winner! I found the black with velvet pattern at the boutique. It's Very roomy, but much lighter weight than my raincoats.

DH said: the huntress comes back successful to show off her trophy to the rest of the pack

3 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I keep a cheap rain poncho in my work backpack, and another better one in my car. If I’m going out for a walk & rain is forecasted I throw one into my pocket or handbag.

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Stagiaire Fash

How much are you out & about during your workday/in your work clothes?

Lana

(website)

How about a reversible packable rain cape? These are at Amazon also.

https://raincaper.com/collections/rain-capes

Anonymous

I'm working exclusively in the field now so I'm in and out of the car all day, often for 11 hour days. My contract ends at the end of the month, so I'm not sure what I want to do next. Under no circumstances will it be office work or customer service though!
I thought about a rain poncho, cause the storms don't tend to last that long, but didn't know how hot they are.

Those are nice Lana! I think one of the little boutiques in town has similar. Didn't look at them closely though, cause if it's raining I'm not shopping!

Janet

At cycling shops and event expos I’ve seen some good lightweight rain ponchos — my BFF bought one last time we rode the 5BBT in NY. The problem is that waterproof and breathable don’t usually coexist. I’ve never seen a sleeveless waterproof jacket, but there are again some cycling jackets with removable sleeves to turn into vests — I have one by Pearl Izumi that I wore for running (a little snug now but I keep it). It would probably keep you fairly dry for a quick dash through the rain but not a sustained downpour.

Speaking of which, boy did we get it yesterday! Hail, thunder and lightning, torrential rain! At least I don’t need to water the garden today.

Congrats on getting out of the office!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I was going to suggest a very lightweight poncho too. We wore them in Hong Kong over our uniforms and school bags when we walked to school in the torrential HOT rain! Also sandals that dry fast. Your feet get very wet....

It wasn't bad for us yesterday actually. Often the storms go up 95 and miss us. They were even watering at the farm this am.
I don't care much about having wet feet, so I just wear leather sandals in rain. I just don't want my clothes getting wet/more sheer or have drowned rat looking hair!

ETA- I do keep an umbrella in the car. The last time I used it, it was to pull an uncooperative snapping turtle out of the road

rachylou

A poncho seems the best bet. I admit I have always just run for cover…

JAileen

I lived in Houston for five years, so I know a little bit about hot and humid, and also about torrential rains. And also flooding, unfortunately.

I just used an umbrella. I had them stashed everywhere - purse, desk, car, home. I had to wear a suit, stockings, and heels every day, regardless of the weather. A poncho would have been too hot for me, I think. As for carrying a lot of stuff, I didn’t carry as much, but I did have a giant heavy leather briefcase with me from time to time. I think we used fold up luggage carts for them and our other things. I don’t have one anymore because I won’t buy a suitcase without wheels.

cat2

For work I went with a rolling cart for my stuff and an umbrella. I have a couple of foldable carts.

Chiara

Active Member

I have a Stutterheim lightweight raincoat that works well- it’s very neatly made and tailored.
I also have a rain cape- makes me feel like Jessica Fletcher when I wear it!
That said, in both coat and cape, in heavy rain I still get wet at the point where they end, as the rain drips down. Generally I’m wearing lightweight cotton trousers which dry quickly, but it is visible.

Zaeobi

Today is 27C with 84% humidity, at only 9am - I feel your pain all the way in HK, lol!

Glad to hear you found a solution - I like the RainCaper website but most of the artwork designs seem to suit cooler tones than DA What was the name of the style you found, if you don't mind me asking?

Anyways, for rain, I tend to use either a:
1) rain poncho (with sleeves either buttoned or unbuttoned, depending on the heat & whether I'm carrying a backpack)
2) hooded dicky (if the rest of my outfit is quick drying & it's not a 'flash rain' - as is typical in typhoon season here). Or a waterproof cap could work?

The key thing is the material - I can't stand those ponchos that feel like crinkled plastic bags, because they tend to trap *all* the heat. It needs to feel 'smooth' with some slip (but not too much) is the best way that I can describe it. I even converted my husband with my current one, & he's not the type to carry an umbrella or put up his hood - even when it's raining, lol!

Jessikams

I just wear a lot of linen, which is breathable and quick drying…. It is a difficult weather conundrum though.

cjh

Possibly you could have a sleeveless trench coat or long vest made? https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce.....mMyMTA2M2Y=

@Zaeobi I bought this one https://raincaper.com/products.....vet-swirls

I wear a lot of black! I just don't like pairing it with the cooler colors in my palette like purple and teal.
If they had had the beige and black one I would have bought it.

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