Hi Lorraine
The first raincoat I had was a green rubber one that could be worn over my big coat.
This was worn -if it was raining - when I was being taken on a walk by my nanny (yes, I was privileged!). She was around until I started school: but then not replaced when she was called up for War Work - Nanny's weren't allowed.
One bright sunny day I remember spotting in the distance women in a brown raincape coming towards us. Was that exciting!!
When she came close I noticed the cape was fully buttoned, her arms inside. I asked my nanny what she was wearing and was told she had a cape on. When I asked why, I was told that she must want to wear it, and badly, since it had to be making her sweat!
In subsequent years I recall many women and girls in capes. At school a year or two after this there were twin girls (identical, I think). Each day they would arrive one in a gaberdine raincoat and the other in a navy blue rubberised cape. Both would always be done up. I'm sure they swapped the coat and cape around to confuse people.
A year or two later I was being taught at home in company with a boy a year or two younger. He was collected each day by a lady who always wore a lovely blue rubberised cape which was worn buttoned when raining and undone when it wasn't. It was lovely to see her slender arms peeping through the arm slits. She was the mother of a small baby so was accompanied by a pram.
On a year or two, and at boarding school I recall one or two memorable moments. Returning to school by train after a spell of sick leave, an attractive dark haired girl in a brown suit joined the train at Bath with a mack on her arm. When we got to Bristol next stop she got up and put on her mack. It turned out to be a medium brown cape which she proceeded to button. Then she put up the hood (it was raining hard), slid her arrms inside and strode out of the station.
Later that year, on a walk along the sea front at Weston-Super-Mare I spied a lady with an Alsatian dog. It was a sunny day but she was wearing a magnificent maroon raincape fully buttoned and topped with a hat. Brimmed hats look super with capes (see Eaton 1945).
Two years later on a wet afternoon in Cheltenham when Princess Elizabeth visited I recall a pretty young mother donning a gorgeous blue cape. It was fantastically exciting just to see her doing up the buttons!
Capes seemed to be very popular amongst older women although younger women looked very nice in them especially if they left the top button undone and sported a scarf or if completely undone a glimpse of a super dress could be seen. Also as in Eaton 1945 in the previous paragraph. Here's hoping they will make a comeback, women look so super in them.
John
Dear John
Yes, agreed, it would be lovely to see more capes.
Not sure they are my first choice as something to wear though - I always feel they are somehow out of control, and also not really taking charge of your body like a mackintosh with arms and a belt and wriststraps and epaulettes and legstraps and a collar with a strap fastened across the mouth does.
Capes are half way I always think between watching and wearing.
But since both watching and wearing are a pleasure, yes, the more the merrier!
Lovely letter, thank you for your trouble!
Best wishes
Lorraine
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