There is a lot of clothing in our life that is utilitarian. Winter coats. Pajamas. Gardening gloves. Certain items that are necessary in life. And because they’re necessary, they don’t always have an awful lot of flavor. But I am of the mind that, in the case of utilitarian clothing, I have just one rule: If I must wear it, dear god let it be cute!
I‘ve never been a big fan of rain. It’s dreary and causes my hair to paste to my forehead and is not a friend to a cute suede shoe. And of course, we have found ourselves in a week or so of solid rain. I realize this is not the UK and that life can get much rainier, but each evening when I plan out my outfit in anticipation (all the while praying the weather man is wrong) and wake up to the thundering showers outside my window, my nose scrunches and my lips sneer. Pfffffft. Rain. Again. Frantically rethinks outfit.
The only thing that makes a rainy day bearable is this shop I discovered recently that sells the most amazing raincoats. Not only are they fit and flare and can cover even my fullest of dresses AND come in a variety of vintage inspired styles, but many of them are varying degrees of TRANSPARENT. You heard me right. No longer must my cute dress be shut away thanks to an impending rainstorm. Ladies, meet Elements Rainwear.
I came upon this shop the way most of us meet shops these days: on Instagram. I literally slammed on my mental brakes. I have owned many a raincoat in the past (again, utility demands it), but never had a seen such a bevy of inclement-weather-inducing cuteness. Polka dots and yellows and sheers – it was a wonderland of rainwear!
I immediately set to work to find my perfect rainccoat. And oh I found her. The skirted coat is double breasted and hooded, with a fitted waist and a perfectly flared skirt. Because it was coming from the UK, my main concern was size. A medium (my usual size) was listed a 41″ bust and 38″ waist. Although I know I need room for my clothing, I also know I like my clothes rather fitted and worried a 38″ waist would lose the fit and flare silhouette my heart so desires. So, I messaged Elements Rainwear and they had the most amazing customer service imaginable. They had their expert engineers make me a coat with a more cinched waist, keeping the bust as it was.
When the coat arrived, there was a minor error – the customization was a bit lost in translation and length had been also somehow shortened. But, one quick message and you’d better believe I had a new one on my doorstep the next day. And the fit was absolutely perfect. I was unspeakably happy both with my purchase but also the overall experience. This is a company that takes care of it’s customers.
It’s been a bit of a crazy few weeks – getting on top of a new semester, trying to recover from the holiday lounge-fest, ticking off my zillion To Do’s. We’re in the middle of interviews for several new faculty members, which means a lot of meetings, teaching seminars, and receptions. Although it’s completely exhausting, there’s also something amazing about getting to be a part of what our Department will become. Of remembering what it was like to be that person – wondering if I’ll fit in, wondering if my research is what they’re looking for. And now I’m on the other side, a part if the in crowd, trying to help decide if this person is going to be a member of the family (cause let’s be honest – we all live in the lab so faculty very quickly becomes family, maybe minus the drama around the holidays).
So, naturally, in the middle of all of this adulting, I decided to step back for a few minutes. Perfect raincoat on and rainboots a kicking, I had to go out and jump in a few puddles. And I forgot how much fun it was to forget I was a grownup for a minute. To skip and splash and make a bit of a scene. To sing in the rain a bit.
I actually have found myself sort of looking forward to rainy days….
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: We Had A Time Vintage (similar modern and vintage here, here, & here)
Raincoat: Elements Rainwear in NAT2
Umbrella: Modcloth (similar)
Belt: Modern Millie (similar here)
Handbag: Rina Rich (similar here)
Petticoats: c/o Modern Millie (yellow) & Malco Modes (white)
Rain boots: Modcloth, sold out (similar)
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