Taylor’d with Style
Slicker Style By JeanAnn Taylor
W
onder why I thought of writing about rainy day fashion? Because it’s been raining nearly every day lately. The average rainfall in Western North Carolina is 43 inches. The old rainfall record was set in 2013 with 75.22 inches. In 2018, that amount was beaten with some areas getting over 80 inches! Now it looks like 2019 is off to a good competitive start. As I look outside my window, the yard is completely saturated, and rain water is creeping onto my patio. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I adore rain. I love cloudy, cold, rainy days. Some people think I’m an “odd duck,” but there is a cozy element to gloomy days that is very appealing to me. When I sing, “It’s raining, it’s pouring . . .” I change the lyrics to “Rain, rain, please stay.” Why not? I can wear rain boots, rain jackets, and carry cute umbrellas. I do, however, believe the best way to keep a positive attitude on a soggy day is to be prepared. Admittedly, getting drenched in a downpour and ending up with soaking wet clothes is not appealing. Thanks to science, we usually know if a rainstorm is on its way, about what time and about how much. So, on these days, it’s smart to plan ahead. First, you need a waterproof coat, or “slicker.” Raincoats come in many functional and fashionable styles with the most popular being the trench. This double-breasted military style coat is belted and usually has deep pockets. The elements that set a “rain shower trench coat” apart from a classic trench coat is the hood and waterproof fabric. The rain shower trench typically falls at mid-calf and has a zipper instead of buttons to offer more secure protection from water seepage. Rain jackets are similar to rain coats with the difference being in the length. The length of the jacket usually falls at the hip line. When rain jackets are paired with rain pants, you have a rain suit. Page 22 | 50+ Living | April 2019
Hooded rain ponchos are basically a piece of waterproof fabric that can completely cover you from your head to your knees. Ponchos slip over your head and can also protect your belongings by wearing them over everything you are carrying. They are easily scrunched into a small pouch making them very convenient to carry on hikes or sight-seeing adventures. You can find ponchos in many stylish colors and fun patterns. Some cheap varieties are made from thin material and are designed for onetime use only. Others are made from heavier plastic and can be used multiple times. Take care to let the poncho dry completely before putting it back into its pouch. Anoraks were originally created for hunting in the Arctic. The traditional wind-, cold-, and water-proof jacket was a hooded pullover. It had drawstrings at the waist and cuffs and no front opening. The material used was seal or caribou skin. Today, “anoraks” are making a huge fashion statement, but they have little resemblance to their original design. Most of the new creations have front openings, some don’t have hoods, they’re available in sherbet colors, and some even have elbow-length sleeves. This leaves me to wonder why they are considered anoraks at all. When making your decision about which style of rain gear to purchase, consider the end use. If you are likely to find yourself hiking in a downpour, a waterproof jacket is your best choice. If you are only dashing from your car to the office, a water resistant coat may suffice. You also need to consider the breathability factor. If you plan to wear your jacket while jogging, it needs to breathe so perspiration can pass through while keeping raindrops out. Some rain coats have layers to withstand cold temperatures; others are lighter weight and only suitable for warm weather wear. High quality rain coats are “taped.” This means the tiny holes
