Random Observations #010
Raincoats aren't meant for rain.
There are so many things I wish I could write about one day. In the Random Observations series, I attempt to put together my random thoughts and observations on clothing and related subjects in a shorter, more approachable format. This is one way for me to capture thoughts before they sink into oblivion. If you find any of the subjects helpful or questionable, do not hesitate to share your feedback in the comments below the article — I’d be happy to continue the conversation.
In the tenth episode of Random Observations, I’m talking myself out of the idea of shopping for an expensive raincoat which starts a sequence of totally random and totally meaningless coincidences.
By the way, the series made it to a two-digit number. Let’s get it!
A Voluminous Raincoat
The fall weather got me thinking about an item of clothing I don’t really need — a long, voluminous raincoat. Should it rain, I have three jackets already: the Barbour and Noah collaborative Bedale jacket, the S.E.H Kelly Parka, and the Our Legacy leather jacket. Curiously, the latter might be the most water-resistant of the three. The Bedale jacket in 60/40 fabric has decent water resistance too, although it does feel damp eventually. And the S.E.H Kelly Parka is my go-to in case it’s already raining since it’s long, hooded, and has a high-standing collar. So, technically, I got my rainwear covered.
The one thing I’m missing though is a long, full, A-line silhouette of a classic raincoat. Preferably, in tan or taupe. Maybe not as dramatic as Alain Delon’s trench coat in Le Samouraï, but certainly long and voluminous. Surprisingly, despite the resurgence of the relaxed, 90s Armani look, a raincoat with a similar aesthetic is still hard to find.
The trend is clearly on as the hyped New York brand Aimé Leon Dore has already made its move with the Waxed Duster Coat and another mac-styled coat coming later this season. Personally, I love the idea (and smell) of a rubberized Mackintosh, but unfortunately, unlike women’s, their men’s coats are a tad bit too short. There is a rabbit hole of designer brands’ variations but I tend to shy away from the big names, not to mention they are prohibitively expensive. With that being said, I love the shape of this $4,450 mac coat from the Row. I didn’t like the modern Burberry examples when trying on in-store. My current favorites are Drake’s Rider’s Raincoat, John Simons Full Length Raincoat, and Cohérence Al II.
With all honesty though, I probably don’t need a raincoat. Surely, not for the purpose of actually walking in the rain. Even in a technical, water-repellent fabric, the garment still doesn’t have a hood, meaning you will get wet anyway. You see, I’m thinking out loud trying to talk myself out of the idea. I admit, it’s solely an aesthetic thing, not practical. I could get off cheap with the Uniqlo U Oversized Single Breasted Coat but it’s too easy (a ridiculous excuse). Maybe it’s time to think about more important things in my life doomscroll reselling platforms digging for vintage originals. I will update you on the progress.
T.F. Company
I’ve already mentioned I listen to the Throwing Fits podcast. The co-hosts Lawrence Schlossman and James Harris have been supplying the world of #menswear with irony for over ten years (shoutout to Fuck Yeah Menswear and Four Pins). Last week, they did it again with their newest collaboration with C.P. Company:
I mean, “performance sportswear for hanging out“? It may sound like a joke, but it’s deeper than that. It’s exactly the same thing I just referred to when talking about raincoats: raincoats are not meant for rain. Performance sportswear is not meant for sports. It’s just aesthetics. Or, to put it more bluntly, the idea of doing things without actually doing them. At least, Throwing Fits is being honest about it. We all should.
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Gant 75th Anniversary Short Film
I fell in love with Gant even before I got into clothes. There was a small Gant outlet in my city where my schoolmate and I had shopped for rugby shirts, chino pants, and raw silk ties with up to 90% off. You can even find my headless selfies wearing the Gant mac coat in the collage above. I still think their indie-themed Gant Rugger campaign from 2010 is cute:
From time to time the brand makes attempts to come back to relevance through its rich history in American sportswear. This year, Gant celebrates its 75th Anniversary and somehow I came across the brand’s short film, featuring Matt Dillon, the music band Infinity Song, and the duo from Throwing Fits (again!). The latter is not actually a total coincidence since Lawrence Schlossman has been collaborating with the brand since the 2013 trip to the menswear trade show Pitti Uomo.
Anyway, continuing the series of coincidences, the film proceeds with the topics of fashion and meaning raised above:
Through the years, I’ve seen it all. You know, the preps, the punks, the freaks, the yuppies, the hipsters, the Nolita dirtbags. You know what? It’s the people who make the clothes come alive. But the truth is, fashion hasn’t changed a great deal over the years. And this style is forever.
It’s beautiful when things connect like this. Even if they are meaningless in the end.
L’Étiquette Magazine N°13
To close the sequence of coincidences, the latest issue of L’Étiquette magazine, which will be out on October 12, features a pair of corduroy pants from the wardrobe of Gauthier Borsarello, the publication’s co-founder and vintage clothing collector. I’m pretty sure the pants are made by the French workwear brand Le Laboureur and I’ve been wearing the same pair for a few years.
Mystery Links
That’s a wrap for the tenth issue of Random Observations! As always, let me know what you think in the comments section on the blog, and share the article with friends who might benefit from it.