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The history of rainwear |
Several stores around the UK in the fifties it seems. Here is one memory from South Shields:
THE weather forecast is poor at the time of writing, with rain and sleet on the horizon – so how about braving the elements in your best Gabardine or Aquaplast mac?
They were the height of fashion in inclement conditions in the early 1950s, as you see here.
These smashing pictures go back to the debate we had on the identity of a popular rainwear specialist in King Street in South Shields.
The answer was Dormand Stewarts.
Its quality coats etc were warmly remembered by a number of readers, but it's since been a wonderful bonus to see them actually being modelled.
These advertisements come from the portfolio of the lass seen so elegantly showing off examples from the store's range.
She's Beryl Hewitson, now living in West Sussex. She was sent a cutting by her friend Nancy Pollard, of Westoe.
Janis Blower writing in The Shields Gazette
There was another store in Linny Road, Middlesborough.
"We Shall Have Rain - advertising slogan in big red neon sign outside Dormand Stewarts Outfitters on Linny Road." Personal communication from Daftlad, Connoisseurs of Middlesborough Football Club, accessed 30/08/10.
Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough
Thanks to TG
Dormand Stewarts' tag line "We Shall Have Rain" is recognisable in this picture from GazetteLive.co.uk, which publishes memories from a person who worked there in the fifties.
There was also a branch at Stockton-on-Tees, as witness this photo of Stockton High Street from 1959 (Thanks PictureStockton).
The Dormand Stewarts building is decorated with two legends, just about visible: THE MAC SHOP (second storeyand WE SHALL HAVE RAIN (1st Storey)
Presumably Dorman Stewarts comandeered the tag "We Shall Have Rain"? It seems to appear on all their shops, as far as we can tell.
There's shop on Orchard Street in Preston which bears this tag - haven't checked yet whether this was indeed a Dormand Stewarts shop in it's hey-day. Now (2010) it sells health stuff. I wonder which keeps you healthier - proper rainwear or Alternative Medecine?
Dormo Lad on Redcar Net thinks there was a Dormand Stewarts shop in Coatham Road, presumably in Redcar, but isn't sure ...
And there was a branch in Leeds at some time - Leeds Library & Information Service don't date their photos (still, they do make them available, thanks!)
Still has a registration listed as a company, but may now be dissolved.
TG, LE.
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