Why would raincoats be short?

ElleH

I found out from Burberry head office that none of their coats are waterproof but water resistant, to varying degrees. It made me think that I might need a waxed Barbour one as well. Most of their coats are hip length though. Why would one wear a hip length waterproof coat? If it was that wet wouldn't you want to keep the bottom half of you dry?

12 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from T-Rex

Parsley

Veteran

That is a good question! I think a lot of people like wearing shorter coats with pants, though, for casual wear, and for ease of getting in and out of cars.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I've always wondered this, too, Elle.

If it's real gear, then people sometimes wear rain protective pants as well!

And if it is fashion, people often carry umbrellas. An umbrella will keep you quite dry as long as there is no wind or very little wind.

I honestly don't think you will need a waterproof coat in England. The rain is light -- (as a rule) -- not torrential.

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I had a waterproof coat in HK it was about thigh length I had to be pretty careful with not getting everything else wet! :p

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

Barbour started out as hunting gear so hip length coats make sense. I have a waxed rag and bone rain coat that feels too much like the matrix and trinity wants her coat back.

A water proof coat is too steamy for me. Venting leads to cold/clammy spots. A resistant coat is more breathable.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Some good replies here, but I just wanted to pop to your thread to say I'm in the UK. and as I understand it you are going to a wedding in July? Well... it's all over the news here that we are in for a few weeks of warm if not very hot weather. The forecasters are saying it could be the warmest and driest stretch of weather we have had in July for many years. You may not need a trench but probably a sun hat!

12 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Never understood this myself, but might be because of my climate. When it's raining it is usually cold and windy (no wind - lol :-)), so you need more coverage than a thigh length rain coat. I've given up on umbrellas - either they turn inside out or they don't give enough coverage. But, hey - listen to Diane

12 years ago

Anonymous

Oh oh! I hope the weather forecasters don't get it wrong now! I'll be to blame. Don't shoot the messenger

12 years ago

T-Rex

Veteran

Unless you are in a torrential downpour, water resistant is probably what you want rather than waterproof. Water will bead up and roll off a water resistant garment. If you aren't sure, you can always test the water resistance of your coat at home by misting it with water, and watching for the beading. If the water resistance wears off due to laundering or cleaning, you can re-treat it yourself with one of those spray cans.

It may not be fashionable, but a hooded coat may be practical in a storm not only by protecting your head (which a hat would do) but by preventing water from running down into your collar. Some rain coats have hoods that roll up (not may favorite) and some have collars that button onto the coat underneath the outside of the collar (looks better, but could get lost if you don't store both together).

That's way more information than you asked for, so I'll stop now.

12 years ago

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