Rain Gear (Seattle: living in, area, dinner)

[Pittgal]

Originally Posted by toughguy

You stated that rain gear is somehow grungy or sloppy looking...I am trying to figure out that head scratcher. Is cold weather gear also grungy?

When I lived in Pittsburgh it snowed about 3-4 times a winter, I never owned winter outdoor boots, I wore fashion boots. I never wore a winter ski type jacket, I wore a nice winter coat. Not sure how that is a head scratcher. So what if I think the rain gears loooks grungy...why do you care? The OP asked a question, I gave my opinion..thats what message boards are for. I don't agree with most of what you post and don't question you, I do and wear what works for me...just as you wear and do what works for you.

[vnodak]

Their are all sorts of water proff/wind proff jackets and coats. My favorite are light weight ones with hoods. That is all I do and some ski jackets. Their are tons to choose from and I have never found the need for boots. It is easy up here and lots to choose from. Some use umbrellas and some not. Personally, for me, it is just one more thing to carry. Every one does their own thing. I am a hoody person

[kcwebgirl]

Originally Posted by toughguy

You stated that rain gear is somehow grungy or sloppy looking...I am trying to figure out that head scratcher. Is cold weather gear also grungy?

i just moved to seattle from kansas city and the cold weather gear is much cuter than wet weather gear. i own tons of cute wool coats and chic boots and hats/gloves/scarves. rain slickers and rain galoshes just aren't very cute.

[seattlenextyear]

Helly Hansen Voss Jacket - Women's at REI.com

Only $40. I tried the light blue one on a few weeks ago and its was pretty cute. It'd make a great everyday coat.

[toughguy]

Originally Posted by kcwebgirl

i just moved to seattle from kansas city and the cold weather gear is much cuter than wet weather gear. i own tons of cute wool coats and chic boots and hats/gloves/scarves. rain slickers and rain galoshes just aren't very cute.

Good, because I don't know anyone that owns a slicker and/or a galosh. Seriously, you don't need that crap when you have to stand out in the rain for 20 minutes before you even get wet. Galoshes are what people in the south wear during monsoon season. If you see someone looking like they are about to embark on an alaskan fishing expedition, they probably moved here from Missouri.

[Rickers]

I lived in Tacoma for ten years, Tacoma gets about twice as much rain as Seattle and I never had anything but an unlined denim jacket. The rain in Seattle isn't nearly as "wetting" as the rain gets down south or along the eastern portion of the country.

[JDTD]

Yes...some folks have changed my mind from my previous post. It was such a simple view of "buy an umbrella and don't worry about it". I didn't figure in the wetness of our water compared to the wetness of the water of the rest of the Earth. I no longer believe that the OP needs an umbrella, because it has been brought to my attention that our water is different. I had forgotten this, and the more thought out views on the matter were extremely compelling. I have officially been swayed on my view of "buy an umbrella and don't worry about it if you are concerned about the weather". What I failed to factor in was, once again, the chemical makeup of our H20 compared to others. As a matter of fact...sometimes...the longer you spend outside in the "rain" here, you actually become dry. So...Don't buy an umbrella or rain gear OP (or at least really think about the variables to include the style, wetness of our water here, whether you will be seen as an outsider, etc.). How wrong could some people be with such a simple answer to such a simple question. We have a little saying here..."but it's a dry-wet." I forgot this.

[toughguy]

Your snark notwithstanding, there IS a difference in the way the rain falls in the pacific northwest compared to other areas of the country. It's not a constant downpour, in fact downpours are rare. It's almost always a very light rain, often no more than a mist. So yes, you don't need to dress like a 3 year old getting ready to splash around in a mud puddle to stay relatively dry around here.

[JDTD]

Originally Posted by toughguy

Your snark notwithstanding, there IS a difference in the way the rain falls in the pacific northwest compared to other areas of the country. It's not a constant downpour, in fact downpours are rare. It's almost always a very light rain, often no more than a mist. So yes, you don't need to dress like a 3 year old getting ready to splash around in a mud puddle to stay relatively dry around here.

Does this mean that you're not going to nominate me for king of the winter carnival?

[texastrigirl]

Having moved here 15 months ago and crying in the rain the first day I lived here (55 degrees and raining July 21, 2007) my husband hightailed me over to REI and bought me a cute Marmot Precip jacket in lime green. Works if it's in the 50's and raining. It has a hood and I rarely carry an umbrella unless it's really coming down and I have to pick up my kids. For mid to late fall and most of winter, I wear a soft shell jacket for warmth and being rainproof. Only it doesn't have a hood! Drat. So I will head back to REI this year except this time I will spring for Goretex which I have discovered is the one thing you really need if you live in Seattle and you don't want to the weather to stop you. We hike rain or shine so that will make me even more comfy this year. One thing I love about Seattle is that the women always seem to have really cute hats on to keep the rain off their head. I would also recommend a really good pair of Keens for walking. I love the Keen Salem boot sold at REI. I waterproofed mine. Put 'em on with a lightweight wool sock and away I go. The rain isn't the problem for me, it's the chill that goes with it and you will soon find, you have to get the right gear or you will be miserable here!