The raincoat as fashion-wear

CEBU, Philippines — Common sense dictates that the primary function of rainwear-outerwear is to protect the wearer from the cold, rain, and slosh, as well as preventing moisture to penetrate whatever is being worn underneath. That’s at least the basic purpose of a raincoat, for example. But raincoats these days serve another main purpose, too.

The original raincoats – dating from the early 1820s – are said to be of a fairly crude construction and rather awkward appearance. The Scottish chemist Charles Mackintosh is credited to have designed the so-called “India-rubber cloth,” consisting of two layers of cotton cemented with a layer of rubber that made way for the first raincoats. The material is very similar to today’s waterproof tarpaulin.

The tailors of old seized upon mackintosh material. But there was a major problem – needle holes greatly undermined the material’s ability to protect against the rain. So Mackintosh next developed a process to seal the seams, and his name became initially synonymous with rainwear; even as late as 1900 almost any raincoat was referred to as a mackintosh.

Perhaps it does not take much imagination to figure out why raincoats didn’t capture the fancy of people – until lately. Perhaps it’s because people see these as boring. The raincoat does not make one stand out, as it’s practically uniform for fire personnel, rescue workers and old people in the park on overcast days.

Lately, though, the raincoat has become more interesting. In fact, it has become an important fashion-wear. People with an active fashion sense no longer have to take a break during the rainy days.

In practical terms, the raincoat is a necessity for those who live somewhere with a rainy climate. Tom Bettinson, UK manager for aptly named Danish outerwear label, Rains, says, “A good raincoat is lightweight, waterproof and will fit neatly into your bag; making sure you’re covered when the weather turns [rainy].”

Unlike most coats and jackets – which usually have to look appropriate for a particular occasion – raincoat manufacturers today are responding to the needs of the modern wearer: protection from the rain and expression of style.

And raincoats are no longer just one-size-fits-all like it used to. From rubber coats inspired by vintage workwear, through to cutting-edge, tech-packed shell jackets designed for scaling mountains – these waterproof top layers are now a diverse breed with a style to suit everyone. Over the past years, the raincoat has even sneaked its way into the snooty world of high fashion.

Now, as raincoats are functional, these are fashionable. For styling a raincoat, Joshua Meredith, fashion director at Notion Magazine, has an advice: “With so many different types of raincoat, styling one well really comes down to what sort you’re wearing. For technical jackets, steer clear of anything too formal – pair with denim and a T-shirt or crew neck for best results. Or, for a more classically-styled raincoat, feel free to wear it over tailoring during the week and dress it down with jeans and a hoodie at the weekend.”

While the raincoat was originally a men’s thing, it has now been embraced by women as well. Many women’s-wear designers have also cast their influence in the current rainwear, for both men and women. The raincoat has graduated from being a solely functional item to a fashion “must have,” something that is sure to continue on into the years to come.