I am surprised at the number of people in inappropriate rain gear

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Seattle and don't own an umbrella. The trick is boots that just happen to be waterproof. I probably have 15 pairs of Aquatalia, Bundstones, La Canadienne etc plus actual rain boots.

I adore my La Canadiennes but 15???? I can’t believe anyone has 15 pairs of boots. What do you do with them? Where do you keep them?

[Anonymous]

Once I was visiting family in Seattle and I was teased for using an umbrella. The native Seattlites (?) just braved the drizzle.

I’m sure not everyone in the Pacific Northwest does the same but it made me extremely blasé about getting wet when making a trip to the grocery store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rain boots make my calves itch. And raincoats get stuffy/hot.

You can buy short rain boots. Also, it sounds like you are buying cheap rain gear. A good raincoat will have ventilation or be made of a very lightweight fabric to prevent it from trapping heat (since waterproof fabric capable of keeping moisture out will also keep heat and moisture in otherwise). I have a lightweight North Face rain jacket that never makes me sweat. I got it on sale so only paid about $90. Worth every penny!

[Anonymous]

My tall hunter boots aren’t that comfy but they’re so useful for rainy days. I also appreciate that they’re easy to slip on and off for dog walks and playground runs. Leggings and boots for me, I despise the feeling of wet pants and socks.

[Anonymous]

I don't usually need more than an umbrella because I am either dropped off and picked up from the covered entrances of buildings, OR I stay home.

[Anonymous]

People don’t own rain coats and boots across the masses. Just umbrellas typically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My tall hunter boots aren’t that comfy but they’re so useful for rainy days. I also appreciate that they’re easy to slip on and off for dog walks and playground runs. Leggings and boots for me, I despise the feeling of wet pants and socks.

Also for those looking, at some point they started making hunter boots without the strap in the back, I ordered them by mistake once. Those would be torture. I don’t know if that’s a fashion thing but you need the gusset!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Scotland, where rain boots and raincoat are something you use day in, day out.

I've noticed that in less-rainy parts of the world, people are put off by these items and view them as cumbersome and uncomfortable. They'd rather get soaked a few times a year than learn which boots work for them, and which rain coats have the best peaked hood and least leaky pockets. It takes experience they don't have to choose the best rain gear.

So my kids dash out of class in the least heavy outfit allowed by me and decency. My husband, born in a tropical place where you get wet because it's too warm to get dressed, has finally allowed me to select a raincoat and boots for him. He wears them now. We've been married 20 years.

Scottish people don’t led the rain hold them back from anything. Americans generally are in the rain only long enough to dash from their car to a building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Seattle and don't own an umbrella. The trick is boots that just happen to be waterproof. I probably have 15 pairs of Aquatalia, Bundstones, La Canadienne etc plus actual rain boots.

15!!!

[Anonymous]

I bought hunters but they are way back in my closet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People don’t own rain coats and boots across the masses. Just umbrellas typically.

This. We're not in Seattle or London. A raincoat and boots would be useful here sometimes, but it's not in the culture to have them.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a great women’s raincoat? I have been searching high and low and cannot find one that meets these standards:

- long (at least mid-thigh if no longer)
- not completely shapeless
- a nice color - not black. the Patagonia long raincoat looks perfect but only comes in black or drab)
- actually waterproof. per online reviews a lot of coats actually are not waterproof

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Seattle and don't own an umbrella. The trick is boots that just happen to be waterproof. I probably have 15 pairs of Aquatalia, Bundstones, La Canadienne etc plus actual rain boots.

This is the answer.

Typical rain boots are clunky and hard to walk in. I bought other boots labeled “waterproof,” and they leaked.

Now I’d probably wear my Columbia snow boots. I don’t love how they look but they worked well all across London during a recent trip. Cushioned. Flexible. Decent looking. Not clunky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m nearly 50, born and raised in the dc metro area where it only rains occasionally, and I’ve never owned rain gear.

I can dash to my car without needing rain boots and a slicker.

What?!

[Anonymous]

Shopping is hard.