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vintage raincoats

Lady Day

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
Messages
9,087
Location
Crummy town, USA
I guess the real question is do you think these would have lasted that long? In essence, some of the every early ones were the weight of a plastic bag. I can only imagine the mildew smell if you didnt let it dry properly :(

Perhaps the late 30s-40s coats were made of a better treated plastic? But would that plastic hold up just when it started to become widely used? 50 years, Id think it would have yellowed and cracked much like silk for the 20s and even the early 40s did/does.

But I dont know, Im just throwing stuff out there.

LD
 

Decobelle

One of the Regulars
Messages
234
Location
USA
I don't know about all transparent raincoats, but a U.S. newspaper reported that Wallis Simpson was seen wearing a "glass" coat; Wallis later wrote to her aunt about what a silly story it was, and that the coat was, in fact, made of cellophane. This was c. 1935.
 

Idledame

Practically Family
Messages
897
Location
Lomita (little hill) California
I just saw The Human Comedy with Mickey Rooney 1943, about life in a small town during the war. There is a scene where Donna Reed and her friend are walking down Main street in transparent vinyl raincoats and matching rain hats and umbrellas and meet some soldiers. I think LD is right-they wouldn't survive well. They would be stuck together or cracked. Even my childhood dolls with soft plastic faces are becoming all gooey and wierd. You can find modern transparant raincoats-if you don't mind sweating to death! Those things don't breathe at all even when they stick in vent holes under the arms.
 

mistermack

New in Town
Messages
4
Location
merseyside
old raincoats

hi all, please can anyone tell me where i can get hold of a ladies / girls old fashioned rubber lined cotton mackintosh, the type that were worn in the 1950s. also i would love an old 60s/70s shiny cotton backed PVC Mac, any size or color and in any condition . any help would be most welcome.
dave.
 

maybelaughter

Familiar Face
Messages
57
Location
missouri
when i was in high school and saw bladerunner for the first time, i became a bit obsessed with finding a plastic raincoat just like the one in the movie. i never found one, but while it's not the cybertastic bladerunner coat, or even a raincoat but i do have a vintage rain cape that's clear with white trim and polka dots - folds up in a handy traveling bag. not as hot as a plastic coat would be, and i can wear different weights of coats/jackets under it for all seasons. and much more suited to my current style than anything bladerunner inspired...
 

Viola

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,469
Location
NSW, AUS
I have a woman's black raincoat (not vintage, but classic in style, modern military issue) that is almost a trenchcoat but without much in the way of shape, and without a belt. Can I add a belt without looking stupid, do you think, or possibly some sort of bit of more of a waist, or should I, if I am that interested in a different shape, look into a different jacket? What I love about this one is the removable liner that lets it be my main winter coat, as well, and the simple cut and length.
 

cherry lips

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,949
Location
sweden
I'm going to bump this thread and bomb it with rainy day inspiration!
1941rain.jpg


1945matchingdressglovesumbrella.jpg


1952rain.jpg


1955umbrellatrio.jpg


1958rain.jpg


AmandaSeyfried-GlamourUKregnhtta.jpg


Anitaekberggenomskinligregnrock.jpg


balenciaga_1950raincoat.jpg
 

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