5 Things to Look Out for When Shopping for Stylish Waterproof Raincoats in Ireland

 Raincoat shopping is not easy-peasy if you wish to end up with the best. Here are some tips to land up with an ideal one to keep you dry and stylish.

The onset of monsoon calls for a few things like a pair of rain boots and an umbrella, but the most important among all is a raincoat. But what if the climate is oceanic and it mostly remains cool, damp, and cloudy? All can relate to it because we are hinting at Ireland. The country experiences a downpour throughout the year. So, just a plain raincoat will not suffice. Fashionable ladies need stylish waterproof raincoats and a few other qualities to keep them dry yet voguish. Let us mention those so that if you take the plunge and buy one for yourself, you get hold of the best one for yourself.

5 Qualities Your Raincoat Must Have

Braving the weather and looking good while doing it is not unachievable. All you need is a great raincoat to encounter the occasional drizzles and jump over puddles. Here are some qualities to ensure while sussing out your options:

1. Waterproof or water-resistant

This is the first cue and quite evident as the article title already mentions it. Before starting, try to understand that there is a huge difference between waterproof and water-resistant fabrics. While the prior resist 3000 mm of water from leaking in, the latter repels water with its coating. Unfortunately, the coating turns out to be ineffective after a few washes. Therefore, waterproof fabric is a far better choice. Moreover, it is tested in a laboratory using the hydrostatic head to check how long can that fabric hold when exposed to water.

Brands like Ilse Jacobsen have also proved that raincoats resisting water pressure of up to 5000 mm is equally effective. The Teflon Nanotechnology membrane acts as an invisible shield and safeguards from natural elements. It also alleviates the biggest concern of sweating with its ¾ softshell coat that allows women to move freely in the rain without breaking a sweat.

2. Hooded

The black clouds suddenly break into a heavy downpour with people running here and there for some shelter. If you have already put on your raincoat, you may think you are safe, but not unless you have your hood pulled over your head. Now, raincoats with hoods are commonly available but the best ones allow you to tighten the hood around your face so that it is not blown off when a gust of wind whooshes over your head. An added advantage could be a small peak on the front to save your glasses or makeup from streaming too.

3. Longer length

A mid-length raincoat is perfect for dashing through the crowd in the city, but a longline raincoat offers more coverage while working in the garden, bending down or handling kids. However, always ensure the raincoat is not too long as it could be a tripping hazard. This applies to jackets, coats, anoraks, and ponchos.

4. Breathability

Breathability is an issue, especially when the waterproof level is more than 10,000 mm. While running home wearing a raincoat, the rubberised fabric may cause sweating and one may feel like one is in her own sauna. Trust us, the discomfort is way too much! That is when the breathability of fabric makes complete sense. It determines how well can a fabric absorb moisture and let it out.

Go for a low breathable raincoat if your purpose is to build up warmth besides safeguarding yourself from the rain. An 800 MVP is enough for the said intention. However, if you are out for hiking or walking, a breathability rate of 5000 MVP is ideal as it would moderate body temperature while protecting you from light to moderate rainfall.

5. Sealed seams

A raincoat is not entirely waterproof if it has its seams not sealed. The droplets will ultimately find their way to get through and leave you drenched despite being waterproof by up to 20,000 mm. Therefore, you can figure out what it means to be truly waterproof.

Above all, comfort is supreme! If your chosen raincoat ticks all the right boxes, make sure you wear it once to check for underarm ventilation, adjustable hoods, pockets, etc.

Author Bio:

Passing expert recommendations on what makes for a stylish waterproof raincoat or how to dress up for a party are exactly where the author specialises. Some of her latest conquests are skin care remedies, the best types of signage for marketing, sustainable clothing and styling up longline raincoats.