Rain Gear (Seattle, Pacific, Starbuck: how much, where to buy, school)

[shaydie]

After living my whole life in Las Vegas, I will be moving up within 90 days.

I've seen comments that people chuckle at the people with umbrellas; you can tell they're outsiders.

So what DO you do up there to stay dry? I never own anything other than a light jacket, and I'm looking at coats and realize they're usually wool -- that wouldn't work there, I'm guessing. Do you put a plastic raincoat over everything? I can't even figure out where to buy one of those. I have one left over from a trip to DisneyWorld.

I'm sorry if this sounds dumb, but my daughter and I don't want to walk around with wet hair. We don't want to stick out like a sore thumb with umbrellas, either, lol.

[JDTD]

Originally Posted by shaydie

After living my whole life in Las Vegas, I will be moving up within 90 days.

I've seen comments that people chuckle at the people with umbrellas; you can tell they're outsiders.

So what DO you do up there to stay dry? I never own anything other than a light jacket, and I'm looking at coats and realize they're usually wool -- that wouldn't work there, I'm guessing. Do you put a plastic raincoat over everything? I can't even figure out where to buy one of those. I have one left over from a trip to DisneyWorld.

I'm sorry if this sounds dumb, but my daughter and I don't want to walk around with wet hair. We don't want to stick out like a sore thumb with umbrellas, either, lol.

Buy an umbrella and don't worry about what other people think. There you go. That's my vote.

[Jennibc]

I've lived here 17 years in total. I've always carried an umbrella. Most people I know do (and I even know some natives!). The notion that NOBODY carries umbrellas is wrong.

[allforcats]

Do they still make plastic raincoats? I can't remember when I've seen one... So no, people here don't wear that. At least I can't remember seeing one.

JDTD's reply is perfect. Buy an umbrella for each person in the family, preferably a folding one that won't inconvenience you too much. What other people think about anything is irrelevant to who you are, how you're comfortable, and how you choose to live your life.

After you live here a while, you'll see that "rain" is not what happens most often here so you won't get soaked, and that drizzle is what happens most and your hair and coats won't get "wet", but will just get tiny little bits of drops, or mist. But when it actually does rain, or if you want to walk in the drizzle for a long time, or walk in showers, yes you'll need a raincoat or rain jacket. And/or an umbrella.

[shaydie]

Thanks for the great answers! I didn't even think about it being drizzle. I really want to buy one of those wool coats! lol Maybe it wouldn't be a big problem. Is the rain dirty? Here when it rains, it leaves dirt spots.

Ok, so we'll get umbrellas. Good to know people do carry them up there. Especially for my tween daughter because if her flat-ironed hair gets wet on the way to school she'll lose it.

[allforcats]

"Is the rain dirty?"
No, the rain is clean. The air is clean. The rain and breeze come from the Pacific Ocean where the air is constantly moving, and clean. Not to worry.

About wool coats: In the winter, for years I've worn a suede coat (not real; I don't wear leather). I get indoors, take off the coat, give it a shake, and hang it up. Next time I look at it, it looks like new.

[Botev1912]

Usually the rain in Seattle is drizzle and you don't even get wet! I don't own an umbrella. I don't need one!

[vette-dude]

Originally Posted by shaydie

After living my whole life in Las Vegas, I will be moving up within 90 days.

I've seen comments that people chuckle at the people with umbrellas; you can tell they're outsiders.

So what DO you do up there to stay dry? I never own anything other than a light jacket, and I'm looking at coats and realize they're usually wool -- that wouldn't work there, I'm guessing. Do you put a plastic raincoat over everything? I can't even figure out where to buy one of those. I have one left over from a trip to DisneyWorld.

I'm sorry if this sounds dumb, but my daughter and I don't want to walk around with wet hair. We don't want to stick out like a sore thumb with umbrellas, either, lol.

Now "hum" how many ppl walk around in Seattle and surrounding area with an umbrella or appropriate head gear? Answer most.......You will not stand out, you surely will not be the only person with an umbrella (especially in a down pour) and really are you more concerned about getting wet and possibly sick or what someone may say, which would rarely happen...Like, hey it's raining and you have an umbrella , what's up with that? Remember the movie, Singing in the Rain..?

[PencilMeIn]

No the rain is not dirty.....there is a fresh feel to it. But your yard will be a soggy, muddy mess until about June so I would suggest rain shoes of some kind. If you look hard you can find some cute ones.

As far as an umbrella, I haven't used one here.....I think they are a pain in the a$$....I find a rain resistant jacket with a hood to work the best. I understand about the hair thing. You can find lots of cute rain jackets. Just layer underneath when cold.

Now I most definitely had a plastic rain coat when watching my boys play football in South FL. But there you get drenched. Here you just get damp and cold. Layer, layer, layer.

[70Ford]

I use an umbrella. I whip it out pretty much anywhere. It's multifunctional.

Whip it out as I leave Starbucks....to watch the horrified stares of the locals walking in.

I even take it on nature walks...and listen to the whispers of "Interloper!" and "Tourist!"

Many times, I simply use it to walk my kids to the car, protecting them from the elements as the neighbors make small clucking noises, "Look at him coddling those children! They'll never learn to enjoy the mist as we do." They make those strange noises....."SNIFF!""SNIFF!" as they breathe it in. "You'll LEARN to LOVE the MIZZLE!!!INTERLOPER!!!!" as they rush toward me, with bats and nunchaku raised high. "YEOWGH!!!RUN KIDS!!!! Daddy will save you!!!"

I raise my umbrella. "BACK! GET BACK! MIST-LOVERS!", as I swing wildly.
Down goes one old codger in his Eddie Bauer jacket. "HA! HA!" I yell, as the widening arc of my umbrella clears a path.

Strangers begin to gather, lattes in hand. From every corner of every parking lot, I see my Doom. "I will NEVER SUBMIT!" as the throng rushes over me, pulsing and chanting "Mizzle...mizzle...mizzle."

The night is silent. My kids creep from the car. "Dad, are you Ok?", they ask.
"Just fine, kids.", say I....as I pull my back up umbrella out of the trunk.

"I'm doing....just fine."

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http://www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...le-coat-2.html

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Actually, these days...I wear a (pseudo) suede jacket. My name is not Allforcats.

But, it is interesting how much we are alike.

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