Rainwear history

[mrbassman101]

Hi Garykane, I was in my teens and early 20's in the '70's and there were girls and women everywhere in PVC macs and double-textured rubberised mackintoshes from shops like Etam, Wallis, Richard Shops , Miss Selfridge, Debenhams , Milletts etc etc. Army surplus stores sold lots of rubber and oilskin macs too.
I frequented Swindon, Bath, and Bristol on a regular basis and there really were macs everywhere. I had several G/F's who wore rubberised macs from Wallis in particular in many bright colours with that lovely rubbery aroma.
Gangster macs by Valstar were also still quite common at that time and they really were a mackintosh fashion icon with their wide cuff straps, broad buckled belt, and the pointed gun-patches and rear yokes. Only had one G/F into Gangsters and she had several in white, grey, brown and black and she was so sexy buckled and strapped into them. I looked everywhere but I never saw a red one like Paula Wilcox wore in "Man about the House".
C&A sold one particular mac in double-textured brick red rubberised fabric in a single breasted style with a tie belt. These macs were absolutely everywhere for one season 1976 I think. They were one of C&A's best selling lines but were never re-stocked. I wonder why ?
Riding macs were also quite common in the 70's too before the advent of waxed cotton, stockman coats and Gore-Tex. I always loved the smell of a used riding mac they were just so rubbery !
Public transport was a good spotting ground for macs because the ladies concerned always had to walk after the bus, coach , or train delivered them to where-ever they were going. Many's the time I sat behind or alongside a lovely lady surreptitiously inhaling the lovely rubbery aroma of a warm mackintosh together with a good dose of the lady's perfume. And if I was feeling brave and commented that I liked their mac they were only too pleased to tell me when and where it was bought and how much they paid for it. On occasion I was told that they felt warm and secure in a mac and they liked the rubbery aroma too.
Happy days eh ? Wish I had a time machine........................................... Best regards mrbassman101

[Onslow]

Wow - you must be my age & interest too ! For those not into that then , that is a great summary ! I was newly married then & my wife then wore a Maxi length black shiny PVC Mac , followed by the gangster rubberized Mac & a little later a shiny blue Rukka Mac . She was also happy to wear a Maxon black PVC Mac for our more intimate moments . History now .
I live in California and for the last 4 years have had almost no rain . Last week though it has changed and a lot is put in store for " El Nino" - well we shall see ?
However today I saw 2 ladies in black PVCk macs ( PU though I think ) & there seems to be a great interest in high gloss rain boots as alternative to leather boots , mainly Hunters . Also saw a lady in natural plastic mac last weekend . Good chance to wear my Stuttenhiem raincoat , with which I am extremely impressed .
The " funky " places in California are always the best !

[blackmacjay]

Good input from everyone but I really liked the writing of mrbassman101, "On occasion I was told that they felt warm and secure in a mac and they liked the rubbery aroma too."

Well my wife uses rubber-lined mackintoshes from Weathervain, Rainwear Classics etc. She doesn't share my passion for the fetish but she does use the kind of sentiments I've quoted.

[blackmacjay]

Well rubber-lined mackintoshes are still around but the price is high so be prepared!

[Onslow]

OK - memory test here ! Easily contradicted by anyone ! The gangster macs came in around late 71 early 72 & by the end of that decade the "waxed oilskin " through Babour etc came into serious vogue . There was also the revival of the " see through " plastic macs , as described originally in a Sunday Observer supplement - with truly outrageous prices compared to a pakamac . But fashion being more marketable than anything else it took off in a serious way . It is cyclical and comes back again and again !
So never despair ! The cult may hide for a while under some other fashion rainwear but it does seem to be irrepressible ! Personally I find viewing PVC / Plastic incredible but wearing has to go down to rubber or rubberized rainwear .

[kulshan]

The decade of the 70's was really the last great time for slick, transparent PVC/plastic. In addition to the macs described there was the abundance of "jelly jackets" EVERYWHERE. Nice semi stiff enveloping warmth and sometimes sweaty rain protection. The real decade of rainwear though goes back to the fifties. In those days all age groups protected themselves with proper waterproof attire. I think in the UK it was more the rubber mac. Here in the states it was smooth plastic raincoats. Often grey for the men and clear for girls and ladies. Many different styles including those that billowed and gathered in a most alluring manner. Many times on buses, airports and shopping areas I recall the swish rustle and crackle of those garments. Drove me nuts and of course I had a plastic raincoat of my own, along with most everyone else. In the sixties many of those raincoats became jacket length and there too, I had one that was my protection peddling the bike to school on cloudy days.

[pvcmac]

I well remember the 60s and girls wearing those lovely cotton backed pvc macs. I had girlfriends who wore them especially when I told them how much I liked them. I now have several vintage cotton backed pvc macs in all styles and colours from the 60s and I love them, so hard to get hold of these days sadly. always looking out for more pvc macs in any size and any condition to add to my collection.