I think it’s just time to accept that for whatever mysterious environmental reason or reasons, we’re going to be getting wet summers for a while. Possibly indefinitely.
The only thing to do, if moving to a hot country or being on holiday from mid-July until September is not an option, is to upgrade your rainwear.
For example, I bet you don’t have the correct umbrella. The correct umbrella, is this one, from Fulton. It’s a see-through one with a domed birdcage design. It keeps you really bone dry and you can see where you’re going – it’s the umbrella that the Queen uses, and I imagine that she knows a thing or two about rain.
At £18, I think it’s really pretty great value. I have only got one but my hoarding instinct tells me that I need another one. You can buy online here or from John Lewis.
And, the next big thing in rainwear is the rubberised mac, like the sort of thing that fishermen wear.
The very echt name in rubberised rainwear at the moment is Stutterheim, who make a totally waterproof mac, with a lovely big roomy hood for £175.
But H&M do a terrific copy for much less.
The Stutterheim Stockholm, £175
I have seen other Stutterheim styles on Lyst for less – have a look here.
H&M raincoat, £29.99
I’ve been looking for one of those birdcage style umbrellas for TIME! Usually I get a look like I pooed in her double half fat lap cap whatever then when she’s composed herself she says, condescending, “maybe you should try the children’s department, or maybe……primark”
I had that style of umbrella at my (summer) wedding. Doesn’t the Queen look lovely in that pic? She knows how to wear blue. I didn’t realise the joy a good raincoat could bring until I found one I actually like last year. It really beats despising myself in an expensive bin liner for two thirds of my time on Earth, which was my former approach.
I rarely comment, but have to put my two penn’orth in here. Buy a Stutterheim, and you will never regret it. They are fantastic and utterly waterproof, even in a complete deluge.
Rubber raincoats… I have one..here in Spain..it doesn’t let in a single drop of rain but it’s like wearing a portable sauna..wetter inside than out..I thought it would be a good idea when we get our torrential downpours in Winter and I’m tending my flocks..I even wore it once with just underwear but same end result..It came from Boden btw
Benetton, that shop that no-one ever goes into any more yet still retains a huge presence on Oxford Circus, has a super raincoat in the sales in colours, if you like colours. I got the teal one to wear on the beach in the rain with denim shorts (this is high fashion in the Channel Islands) and it is waterproof and not sweaty at all. Perfect for having in the boot of the car too just in case…
http://gb.benetton.com/shop/gb_en/sales/woman/coats-jackets/raincoat-with-hood-139045.html
The weather is confusing me. It’s about 18c in Warwickshire today, and I was out walking dogs in skinnies, dog walking boots and a loose vest type top. Passed a woman in padded knee length coat, flat cap, scarf, corduroys and boots. Am wondering which of us got it spectacularly wrong …
Can I put in my two cents about rain coats? The brand Rains also does some very, well, quite stylish ones and they are easier to carry in a bag than Stutterheims sturdy huge heavy coats. I know because I am a cycling mother from Holland who has seen a lot of rain in her life