Rainwear made to last the fashion distance

Press, 29 May 1982, Page 10

Rainwear made to last the fashion distance

Rainwear is not only high functional, but it is one of those clothing items in a wardrobe that need not be outmoded from season to season.

On the face of it, most rainwear looks rather boring in itself. This, however, is quite deliberate.

Rainwear has a classical flavour; shapes in fabric of a classical origin, unaccessorised. and does not grab the eye.

Rainwear manufacturers today have deliberately aimed their styling to conform with the internationally termed “investment clothing" bracket. Of course, they are not investments — the term is used here to describe the long-lasting quality of rainwear.

When creating this classical rainwear manufacturers select a length that works with pants and yet remains alive through the mini and maxi dress length modes. That length is just below the knee.

Colour is carefully chosen: plains always win above patterned cloths. Brown, rust, bone, camel, navy, black, olive are all shades that fit into the timeless sector.

Room for layered outerclothing is essential, so the classic raincoat is never pen-cil-thin in silhouette. When required, the wearer achieves a slender line with the width of a belt or wrap.

It is the fashion-conscious woman herself who transforms this traditionallystyled garment into an outer garment with style by simply

putting her own look together with clever accessories and personal panache.

Take this winter, for example. A classical raincoat will take a jump forward when worn with flat, squashy boots, a shawl held with a wide, leather, wrap belt.

Buckled trousers or knickerbockers with warm woolly leggings all give that hemline a new dimension. Then there’s suede or leather Western, front-drap-ing scarves, or a simple, woolly English muffler for the neck.

Bronze and brass earrings

and bracelets all help to “uptempo" a coat that three seasons ago you may have worn with high-high heels and that traditionally • cravated silk'scarf. Para’s Peterson and Anna coats (illustrated) are two fine examples of European styling along classic lines.

The Peterson has semimilitary styling which works with all the Western or military accessories. The Anna, with its pleated back and detachable hood, can be worn with or without belt over super full skirts and bulky outerwear garments. ...

Both are available in several colours at Para stores throughout New Zealand. So when you are buying rainwear that in some winters may hardly be worn, while others may demand its use on most days, it may be wise to look for classical qualities.

In vogue

Paula Ryan