aris Hilton and I have one thing in common and it’s not the release of a boring sex tape. The great Miss Hilton once said ‘I always want to look cute.’
When she lazily uttered those words while sipping a pink cocktail on a sun lounger during the filming of her critically acclaimed TV show The Simple Life, I had to stop myself from running to the nearest tattoo parlour and having them permanently inked in a tramp stamp on my fat strap. Words any woman should live by. It’s these immortal words that remind me why I spend so long trying to find least ‘fitnessy’ sneakers or any jeans that don’t make me look like I was best mates with Melanie Griffiths in 1985.
I’ve searched my whole life for a raincoat that didn’t look totally utilitarian. This search has resulted in me having never owned a raincoat. I just get really wet when it rains. When I spotted this little beauty at an outdoors store in San Francisco, I kind of grabbed it and slowly put it on in front of the mirror and saw a human girl version of Paddington Bear staring back at me. The raincoat had to be mine. It was also a total bargain – $99 US which was about $who-the-hell-cares AU. I snapped it up immediately. It finally got rainy enough for me to wear it this week in Melbourne and I’m pretty sure it loves it’s new home.
Wearing
Grey knit top from Muji
Coated denim jeggings from Sussan
Merrell Mimix
How to wear a raincoat without looking like you’re going on school camp…
– Go classic. A yellow trench style raincoat will never go out of style and this one comes in blue, black and pink as well.
– Do your research. You want waterproof, not water resistant and materials like Gortex are the best. Cheap shitty raincoats aren’t worth it so make sure your raincoat does what it promises.
– Try and get something with a little bit of shape. The main issue with not-cute raincoats is that they generally make you look like you’re wearing your dad’s jacket. If you can, try tailoring.
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Do you have a raincoat? Is it cute? Or do you mainly have it to keep you dry?
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11 Comments
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Totally gorgeous Paddington bear look. I used to have a raincoat with detachable this and that and a million fasteners and zips. It was so complicated I never wore it. I picked up a fabulous Tommy Hilfiger trench from Amazon for an absolute steal a couple of years ago – but probably would not wear it in proper rain. I mainly use a brolly, or stare out the window muttering “I’m not going out in that” (a bit like my puppies when I try and usher them out for a wee walk when it’s raining) xx
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That’s so true. I think avoidance of rain is my favourite way of staying dry. Isn’t it funny when you buy something for a particular purpose but then it’s kind of too good to use for that purpose? I had a pair of gumboots I never wore because they were too pretty to get wet!
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Yes – love my kathmandu raincoat (just the right length – mid thigh, not too boxy, but at the same time, I can fit another layer beneath for the cold, cold weather), but I’ve gone blue, because well, I like blue! I do have a couple of trench coats, too, but they are more for work / between meetings with an umbrella (wouldn’t work for really wet weather).
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I think blue is super classic. I was very close to getting this one in blue but then I was like ‘Stuff it! Let’s go yellow!’ Love it. Kathmandu stuff is great but sometimes the cuts aren’t right on me. I have a bit too much hip for the old Kathmandu clothes!
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Kathmandu can be hit and miss, I agree – so I was really pleased to get one that fits (will have it for years). As for you – you really can wear the yellow, plus the cut of that raincoat is great!
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Please go back to the States right now and bring me back one of these jackets.
I have been wanting a yellow rain coat for EVER! Totes adorbs. xx
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Ha ha! I couldn’t not buy it. It was a spiritual moment. It’s worth a trip to the states to get it. For real. But just buy it on amazon! It’s cheap as chips! For a fully waterproof awesome raincoat.
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I have a polka dot rain coat. It is super cute and I felt super cute in it…until I realised it matched my toddlers pram cover…exactly! Matching with a pram cover is not cute!
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Ha! Oh no! Don’t you hate when that happens? Mr Smaggle and I frequently leave the house wearing the same colours so we often have to change. Matchy matchy is not that awesome.
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I have this raincoat and I ADORE it (http://arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=Womens&category=Shell_Jackets&model=Imber-Jacket-W) -although I got black, only because every other coat I own is coloured, I do kinda looooovvvvveeee the yellow. It’s too bad that Arc products are difficult to get (and $$$$$$) in Aus because it’s fantastic and light and breathable and so waterproof that I’d stand under a showerhead for an hour in it.
(To be fair, I bought it at discount because I work with the company -but I’d totally pay full price for it!)
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I used to own a lovely, shapely raincoat. It was ecru, so it was a nightmare to keep clean. I couldn’t keep up with the dry cleaning expenses, and it was never the same after a less-than-stellar run through the gentle cycle of my washing machine. I am still on the hunt. Your rain coat is adorable. Alas, I like one that hits at the knee.
