Dancing in the rain - what to wear? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dancing in the rain - what to wear?

Runcarla

Veteran

This is a spinoff from my earlier coat/outerwear thread, since it appears that rainwear is an issue for a lot of folks! I'm hoping that those who live in damper areas (Seattle? UK? British Columbia?) and intrepid dog walkers chime in with their solutions.

When it rains, I carry an umbrella. If it is cold-ish (spring or fall) I wear a water resistant trench coat, sometimes with a heavy sweater or puffer under. FWIW, I have never found a raincoat, even with a hood, that really keeps a person dry after prolonged exposure. In fact it seems that there is a drip line from the hem of any coat downwards that makes things worse! The old reversible rubber raincoats of my youth were horrible, and even created their own awful mini micro climate inside the coat! Then there is persistent drizzle vs torrential downpour....

When I worked in the Big City, I wore a trench coat and collapsible umbrella, but I was also able to navigate an underground route called the PATH from the train station to my office so I could avoid going outdoors! Nowadays, when walking in the rain I wear rubber boots with alpaca liners and DH carries a ginormous golf umbrella!

What do you wear for dancing in the rain? Bonus points if you know of a hooded truly waterproof outer garment!

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cherylm

Owner of two dogs living in Seattle that get walked everyday regardless of weather reporting for duty. For dog walking in the rain I wear a baseball cap and Gor-Tex coat with a hood. Hat is key to keeping hood on and rain out of my face. If it is really bad (cold, wet and windy) I will add rain pants but that doesn’t happen very often. I have 2 pairs of
running shoes (Gor-Tex if I can find them) so they can dry out before the next day.
For city wear I have a collection of rain coats all that have hoods (no umbrellas in Seattle unless you want to look like a tourist ). They cover my thighs and frankly I find that they do what they need to do. I have Barbour, Ilse Jacobson and Moncler, all seem to do the job. I don’t buy cotton coats or wool for that matter and expect them to be rain coats.
If you want to stay dry - the longer the coat the better, within reason of course. Patagonia makes some really nice coats that would work for casual and city wear. I like Arcteryx coats as well but they are more expensive.

Anonymous

I don't like to carry an umbrella, though i have a beautiful one i got at the beach. I carry a lot of stuff for work every day. So, hooded raincoats! I haven't tried out the copper one, since i just got it, but it seems like it will be waterproof. I also have an old BCBG one that is waterproof, and nicely shaped. Both absolutely dressy enough with workwear
In addition, I avoid fabric shoes, and light colors (sheer when wet). And choose pencil skirts instead of those with the potential to "Marilyn " in wind!

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

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JAileen

Veteran

I live in the desert and it doesn’t rain here very often, but I do visit places where it rains.

I have a Patagonia Vosque 3 in 1. It is gear, but nice looking. It has a hood and is completely waterproof. It has a liner that can be worn as its own coat.

SylvanElegance

Gor-Tex is absolutely the key. Really is impervious to rain. That said, it does only keep the top half dry. Honestly, having grown up in Seattle, I feel a bit like a duck: being slightly damp is par for the course and not really objectionable to me! I find as long as my core is dry, I’m fine.

KnittingGene

I’ve been thinking about rain gear for this Fall. Despite living in the PNW, I only own one raincoat and I bought it at Goodwill. It’s black, knee length, gear type material and hooded -Eddie Bauer I think. It absolutely does the job while I commute to work by public transportation. But, oh my, do I get sick of it! I was thinking that I should prioritize another raincoat this Fall. Lightweight works for me because I run warm and often wear sweaters for work so I get plenty of warmth.

But then, my world turned on it’s side when Angie mentioned on another post that she rarely wears a raincoat. How does she do that? This is a part of Angie Lore that I have missed.

I treat other coats, like my beloved puffer, to manage in rain but a hood would be necessary as I do not carry an umbrella (too awkward,.) So I’m wondering about a hooded trench type coat as a change from the black one and then treating it.

LaPed

Veteran

I've been carrying an umbrella when I go backpacking for 4+ years (it provides great mom+baby rain/sun protection), but I strongly dislike using it around town. For one thing, it's silver -- solar reflective -- which seems a bit oddball, but maybe I should treat it as a metallic accessory? But also, I just run out of hands so fast with an umbrella. Not a problem when I'm by myself, but if I'm with my kid and/or my dog, things get awkward.

I've had a Patagonia Torrentshell (the longer "City" version, comes almost to my knee) for about three years. I fell in love with the colour. It is a perfectly nice, basic, waterproof "breathable" shell, no bells/whistles, but I think when it bites the dust -- or maybe even sooner, because obviously it's on my mind -- I'd like to replace with something with a nicer drape, less crinkly-ness. Usually, though, you sacrifice packability and light weight to get a more lux fabric.

I just replaced my old, delaminating hardshell this spring (jacket length rather than coat length). The new one is an Outdoor Research Clairvoyant, and gets used as an outer layer for winter sports, and throughout our shoulder season (which seems to get longer every year -- we deal with a lot of freezing rain, sleet, ice storms, nor-easters, etc, where a puffer is no good at all) for hiking/walking/etc. It also comes along on day hikes, boat trips, etc in warmer weather (it weighs a few ounces less than the Pata, plus is more breathable and has a nicer inner facing, more comfortable against bare skin if you have just a t-shirt or tank top underneath).

I'd love to have a non-gear option for wet weather, since we have a lot of it in the Northeast, but haven't made it a priority. It's always on my mind though, because I really enjoy shopping for outerwear.

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Sal

Veteran

I wear a Marmot rainjacket often - it is good for my needs (occasional hike, city walking, sport watching). I have a large golf style umbrella too for sideline viewing. My coat is turquoise and a nice fit - I feel smart enough in it although it is definitely gear.

I happily run in the rain in a light rain jacket as well.

This year I have noticed a few trendier rain jackets, as seen in the pics. If I was commuting on foot I would definitely consider one. These are a brand called Rains.....

We do live in a very rainy climate.

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The Cat

Veteran

Depending on the heavyness of the rain, the temperature, the occasion/activity, the distance I have to walk, and how long I have to be out in the rain, I'll wear 1, 2 or 3 of these items:
● Umbrella (Usually have 4 or 5 umbrellas in different colours)
● Black rubber boots in a style that looks equally good in the city as on the countryside / Black & white fur-lined all-weather boots
● Thin foldable rain poncho (Own 1 printed in shades of blue, and 1 solid white) / Coated rain jacket (Own 1 cobalt blue, and 1 charcoal ) / Navy rain jacket & matching rain pants

Style Fan

Veteran

I definitely walk in the rain. I wear a coat that goes to my midthighs from Marks that has a hood. It is definitely waterproof. It also has a lining so it is warmer than some might be. It is great for dog walking because there are large pockets but it is far from stylish.
I also have a GorTex jacket with a hood. It is easy to pack in luggage. Great pockets but far from stylish.
I do carry an umbrella but I didn't use to. Mr SF insists on it.

DonnaF

Veteran

Rain? What rain? I feel like I have been living in a drought for YEARS. I fear the rain has joined my hot weather summer which is just as well. It hasn't stopped me from being intrigued by these rain boots that would keep me way out of puddles, make me two inches taller, yet have only a half inch elevation.

Jeffrey Campbell Waterproof Fog Boot (Women) | Nordstrom

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

I tend to favour sea salt for rainwear.They straddle the bridge between fashionable rainwear that’s usually not waterproof (showerproof ,whatever that means!)and technical outwear for serious walkers etc...They are a Cornish company so like us in Wales have seen a bit of rain! and all their waterproof coats are,well,waterproof but they are a bit more fashionable than say ,Helly HansenI have 2raincoats from them,a lightweight long parka style navy one with hood and a hip length orange one with hood.My mother has the same style navy one as me but the winter version that comes with a fleece lining.

kkards

Veteran

just before i clicked over to YLF i was reading this post from Alyson Walsh on That's Not my Age....here's her British take on the subject...and some really nice looking recommendations...
https://thatsnotmyage.com/unca.....r-barbour/

Bijou

Veteran

Where I live, when it rains, it is torrential, so whilst 90% of the time it is sunny on those days when it is not, the rain is fierce. Perth gets more annual rain than London or Melbourne, just on fewer days.
I have a Gortex jacket with hood that provides the most protection, but this is serious gear and looks like it. I have a Zara coat with a hood (in finds) that is basically plastic, so it also keeps the rain out and a Burberry trench. Between those, I seem to be able to deal with most rainy situations, depending upon how casual to dressy I need to be. On rainy days I usually carry an umbrella and have a few to co-ordinate with my outfits.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Rain gear is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Why can't anyone make a waterproof coat that also looks good? Or conversely, a nice coat that also keeps you dry? North Face had a good one a couple of years ago, but by the time I discovered it, it was gone in my size/colour. I really should keep a better eye out.

In Halifax, when it rains, it rains. Usually sideways. Umbrellas are useless - in fact you wouldn't believe the number of abandoned inside out ripped umbrellas that one sees at the side of the road.

I bought a trench at NAS a couple of years ago that was supposedly a "rain coat" and was soaked after a 10 min walk at lunch. I was so mad!

Anyway, I wear Goretex when the forecast is truly awful. Not fashionable, but it keeps me dry. I do have a Columbia one that doesn't look as geary, which was a rare find. It has a zip in lining, so this one is great for the early spring/fall. Last spring I got a London Fog coat at Bay Days, which is the dressiest of the bunch. I don't think I've truly "put it through it's paces" but it's been great in the showers that I have been out in it in.

As for footwear, it's Hunters in the spring/fall, and I will take a pair of flip flops or Keens with me to work to wear back and forth to the car if I have to. Earlier this week it was pouring when I left work, and I literally had to walk through water 2" deep. NO WAY am I risking good footwear in that kind of weather, no matter what it looks like. That day I even left my bags at my office reception and drove back to pick them up!

danskogirl

Umbrella - always. Even though I'm a Seattleite and have been for decades.

Water-resistant trench coats: Good for spring and early fall. Doesn't have to be waterproof since I almost always use an umbrella.

Synthetic down parka: North Face Thermoball Parka. My late-fall-through-winter coat. Long and hooded. Perfect for drizzly Seattle weather. Because it's synthetic down, it can take a little dampness and still insulate.

Rainjacket: Kuhl Jetstream Trench. For if I need more rain protection. It's a longer, hooded, waterproof shell that's lightweight enough to pack for travel and is fine as an outer layer on its own in warmer weather. Has kept me dry in torrential downpours. In colder weather, it can go over my synthetic down jacket.

Rainboots: Dansko Rosa - waterproof rainboot. But also, for just normal Seattle drizzle and commuting by bus, I often just wear my regular leather ankle boots/knee boots that I've sprayed or put some sort of weather protector (e.g. Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam) on.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, good heavens. I live in Seattle where it rains 9 months of the year at some point during the day. I NEVER wear a raincoat. And I am ouside every day doing my thing, waking in the city. Walking Sam.

But it’s not torrential tropical rain. It’s light to heavy rain. Very occasionally are the streets flooded, and it’s hardly ever windy.

I weatherproof my footwear, make sure I’m warm with my huge assortment of outerwear, and carry an umbrella. When I’m downtown, I walk under cover as much as I can. Short hair is a blessing because it’s easy to manage in the rain.

When I walk Sam, I usually wait for a dry patch, or wear my yoga jacket with a hood. I never take him on a walk in heavy rain.

I wear white wardrobe items and get on with it

Anonymous

I’m with Elizabeth in finding nice rainwear a holy grail / pet peeve. I’m always feeling unkempt and dishevelled in rainy weather and I need to figure this out

rachylou

Veteran

Truly? For serious walking in the rain, Lilypup gets a raincoat that wraps her tummy and I wear a rainsuit from the hardware store. Otherwise, I rely on the quick dash. When I was commuting by bus, I wore an ankle length puffy and knee high designer rain boots and used an umbrella. Ten minute walk to the covered bus stop. Squeaky boots on tile all day.

Anonymous

RUNCARLA- first- you on the PATH? Heck of a commute from Canada- another “ sister” similarity? Maybe we rode together at some point.
Second- omg the memories of those heavy rubber raincoats as I walked to school. Ugly but effective ..... unless you consider living in a neighborhood where moms would let us kids put on bathing suit and run around like idiots in the summer downpours.
You are right. Not much out there that is effective against a deluge. I know on other posts people talk about non- waterproof trenches. I personally have never owned one. I have either had a totes (cheap end) or London Fog ( pricier) but they are only great for light rain. Problem with umbrellas is when the wind carries you - but not in a fun Mary Poppins’ way.
I would love a pair of rain boots that are fun looking but money could be better spent- dang that practicality gene. Will be watching rainwear suggestions anxiously.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I just moved from a place where showers were warm and brief, so this is drawing on recollections of life before that. I owned several coats designed for rain, but the only one I ever wore was a blue windjacket. Waaaaaaay back in the day I had a goretex jacket and matching pants to wear while commuting by bike in the rain. I’m unlikely to do that, or anything else that makes me stay out in the rain more than a few minutes, these days. Subways are nice and dry! If I do need to walk in the rain, I’ll use an umbrella.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As others have said, it depends on the activity and the amount of rain.

I have a truly rainproof gear jacket and rain pants for that kind of adventure. (Photo 1)

I have a waxed cotton hooded utility coat that is surprisingly waterproof for "in between." (Photo 2 and Finds)

I can layer that over a thin parka for warmth.

I have the same NF parka that Angie does -- it will easily tolerate light rain. (Finds)

I have two trenches for dressier situations -- one knee length London Fog (Finds) and one shorter flared Theory. I'll often carry an umbrella with those. But umbrellas are chancy in Kingston, where it is usually windy when it rains.

I am ready to replace the pink gear jacket and would like to get another dressier truly rainproof coat. I'm going to look into Sea Salt as Cardiff Girl recommended and I've also got my eye on Boden.

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London Fog London Fog Women's Midi-Length Trench Coat

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The North Face The North Face Thermoball Hooded Parka Women's

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Long downtown field jacket

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Anya Waterproof Mac

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Barbour Barbour Kinnordy Waterproof Hooded Jacket | Nordstrom

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The North Face The North Face Apex Bionic Grace Jacket | Nordstrom

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Runcarla

Veteran

Efbgen, yeah, I was one of those idiot kids in a bathing suit in a rain shower.

Anonymous

Why am I not surprised- lol. It was a lot of fun- no computer or tv needed. Cue Barbara Streisand....memories.
Considering the 90 degree weather and the current downpour I am sorely tempted......... only thing holding me back is fear of the neighbors calling the police.

Runcarla

Veteran

Efbgen, we used to peel moss off rocks and pretend they were beaver pelts. But I digress....

Anonymous

One folding umbrella that is never in my presence when it is raining. Most frequently it is in the car and I am in the office.