Nobody took any notice whatever!

AJ

Dear Lorraine,

I have written to you a couple of times recently but I don't think for some reason the messages got through.

You published my first letter as 'A better time in the rain' some time ago and I wanted to follow that up with my experiences.

Since writing that letter and seeing your kind reply I have ventured out in public my SBR trenchcoat. I have to say that the reaction was quite surprising. Nobody took any notice whatsoever! Maybe I was a bit disappointed in that after all! It was a gray rainy day so all macks were out anyway but nobody gave mine a second glance, that I noticed anyway, even as I sat on the train to London.My SBR is a long trench with all the traditional details including the most essential, a broad, sturdy buckle belt. No mackintosh should be made without one. And certainly no mack should be worn without the belt smartly buckled up. My advice to anyone who feels shy to wear their favourite macks out in public is not to be. Everybody is far too busy to bother to look at you, so just go out and enjoy!

I was interested in the letter from Francis who likes the top button done up. Couldn't agree more but without the belt buckled up neatly as well I would feel rather undressed. The buckled up neck strap on my SBR and other macks completes the feeling of protection and as mentioned by TG in his letter, smartness!

This is an important point to me also. I would never be seen without a smart business suit, collar and tie, clean shoes and of course a smart buttoned up and belted raincoat. Usually a Burberry or Aquascutum, but when the weather turns really foul, a riding mack, one of my double texture trenchcoats or the ultimate SBR.

With regard to headgear, why not the traditional sou'wester? I think this is the smartest option by far. It can match the coat and is the proper accessory for a rainy day. I wear mine without giving it a second thought. Much better than struggling with an umbrella with the added benefit of being able to hear and feel the rain bouncing of the top of your head. Very satisfying.

Finally I have visited the Mackintosh shop in Burlington arcade. Quite a small collection and not many in the larger sizes for men. Very good quality though. Just up the road though in Piccadilly is Cordings who usually have a good stock of single and double texture riding macks. Well worth a visit. I have 5 macks from there.

Keep up the good work on your great site.

Regards

AJ

Hi AJ

Sorry I didn't get your earlier things. I've missed quite a few things I (now) know, frazzled by the overzealous spamfryer they use at BT/Yahoo.

Very pleased to hear Cordings are still going strong with their double textures at least. Last time I walked past - on my way to Burlington, of course (and actually the Matisse / textiles exhibition) - I peered in quite carefully but thought they must have given up.

Good to hear of the wild commotion your exercising your SBR in public failed to stimulate.

Best

Lorraine

Dear Lorraine,

Legitimate opportunities

In spite of the heatwave, there have been one or two local downpours recently giving me and I'm sure many others with the same interests the legitimate opportunity to get out in their favourite mackintoshes.

As I have said before, I have all but lost any inhibitions about wearing mackintoshes in public, to the point where I can wear single texture and heavy double texture riding macks and trenchcoat without feeling anything of a spectacle. I have never noticed anybody taking any particular interest untill recently.

I was wearing a heavyweight double texture riding mackintosh on this particular day and had to go to a meeting in another office. I hung up the coat on the coat hooks in the meeting room and was having a pre meeting chat when one of the chaps caught sight of the coat and in full view and earshot of everybody began to talk about it in such an enthusiastic way. He assumed it was mine but asked again anyway. Of course I had to embarassingly say yes.

He then proceeded to touch the coat, look inside and comment on the yellow lining, the belt leg straps and flap pockets were all examined closely. I thought at this point that he may be a fellow enthusiast, but then again one of us probably would not be so open.

The meeting over it was time to leave. I was getting nervous at this stage because this chap was bound to say more as I went to leave the room. In an attempt to avoid drawing attention to myself and the coat I tried to leave the room carrying the coat. He saw me, of course and insisted that I put the coat on to let him see what it looked like. I of course had to oblige, why shouldn't I? It's only a coat after all. What followed was the strangest experience.

I would always wear a mackintosh fully buttoned and belted but I never like to be seen in public actually doing up the coat. It's always done before I leave the house or sonewhere not in general view. Don't know why but I do.

He stood there and insisted that I do the coat up and then said 'go on, do the belt up'. I said something like 'who are you, my mother?' but proceeded to fasten the belt anyway, thinking he would cause more of a fuss if I refused. This was in full view of other people as well who were all showing an interest in my mack by now. Thank goodness he didn't know there was a sou'wester in the pocket!

There followed comments about how smart the coat looked but nobody commented on the noise it made, or the smell. The whole incident was really quite bizzare but I will never forget it as being the first time anybody has noticed and commented on one of my coats.

One final point. I do still seem to be the only person in Central London to wear an SBR trenchcoat on an appropriatly rainy day. Where is everybody else? Too shy? Come on guys, just get out there. Nobody will stop and look at you.

Regards

AJ

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