WIW: New Favourite Thing, LOLE packable raincoat

Hi, all -- quick post and run since I'm still travelling, but I did want to cheer loudly for my Lole packable raincoat -- best last-minute pre-travel purchase ever! 

The weather has been all over the map, from sun and heat to pouring driving rain and chilly winds. I've worn the raincoat on all but 2 days so far, and it has been a godsend. It has kept me thoroughly dry in some serious downpours (including a 2 hour rainy walk). It is light weight and wind protective. It is a bit like a paper bag and feels weirdly 80s in its oversized style  -- but it will layer over just about anything, and the shape is so distinctive that it feels very intentional. The way it packs into its own pouch is brilliant. And, as Angie predicted, I have been sooooo grateful to have a hood! 

And funniest thing ever. Yesterday I was walking along Park Lane to get the tube at Marble Arch in, yes, a downpour --  and lo...who did I run into but another woman wearing the same coat!! 

I walked up to her and said, "I love your coat." 

"Thank you," she said -- not catching on. 

"You have great taste," I said. 

Luckily, her friend figured it out and the three of us laughed and laughed. 

I took a quick selfie before she hopped on her bus. Don't you love her chic rain hat? I should have asked her where she got it. 

P.S. Wearing almost all the clothes. Will report on that, later. 

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29 Comments

  • Dee replied 4 months ago

    Yep your last minute instincts to purchase this coat was certainly a good one. Happy to hear that its been so useful for your trip and already a favourite. Great pic of the two of you in the same raincoats.  

  • Roberta replied 4 months ago

    I have been eyeballing that coat since you mentioned it, and I am delighted to hear such an enthusiastic recommendation.

  • avicennia replied 4 months ago

    What a charming story Suz and such a sweet photo of that you two! So glad you took the coat. I’ll put one on my list.

  • ChristelJ replied 4 months ago

    How satisfying that your new coat looks amazing and functions just as you need it to. Love your red hat, and happy photos also!

  • Jaime replied 4 months ago

    What a great story! Your splendid raincoat is going to be a great memento of this trip.

  • Bonnie replied 4 months ago

    Wonderful purchase! I wore my raincoat a lot in England/Scotland on a May trip a few years ago. Mine is black but yours makes me wish I'd  gotten that color. 

  • slim cat replied 4 months ago

    Lovely photos and fun story - great new fav thing!

  • Irina replied 4 months ago

    Glad the raincoat worked out for the trip. It looks so fab on you!

  • Karie replied 4 months ago

    What a great coat! I’m thinking about getting one and I looked on their website- do you recommend sizing down or buying my regular size?

  • Star replied 4 months ago

    Looking so stylish Suz!  

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    Thanks, all! 

    Running off, but quickly, Karie and Roberta -- SIZE DOWN.  I took a size down from my usual and could probably have sized down even more if I didn't want to layer. If you have broad shoulders or a large bust this might not be as much of an issue but for anyone with a relatively small frame it will be especially important. 

  • Jenni NZ replied 4 months ago

    Fun post Suz! Especially with your new raincoat twin!

  • kkards replied 4 months ago

    Great coat!  Yes, to a longer rain coat, and one that cinches at the waist so you can layer or not!  

    And I love a rain hat, and red is so fun and makes any rain day a little cheerier. 

  • Helena replied 4 months ago

    Haha so cute Suz! You and your new coat twin look fab :D

  • lyn67 replied 4 months ago

    What a great story, I like her rain hat but your red bucket hat is a fresh statement-wow! Your raincoat as you described it in action is the best raincoat ever-good thing you had a hood and was  roomy enough  to cover all kinds of your outfits  in London!

  • RobinF replied 4 months ago

    Hah, that is too funny! Such a great raincoat, very tempting. Can't wait to hear all about London!

  • Janet replied 4 months ago

    That is a great purchase! It’s funny, the light packable rain jacket I bought in Switzerland and wore constantly in Paris hasn’t been worn a whole lot here at home, but when I need it, it’s just the thing in a way that totally justifies its existence in my closet! So glad you jumped on this coat, and your red complement is so cheerful!

  • Angie replied 4 months ago

    KILLER new topper, Suz! Soooo glad it's working out - and is doing its job! You are extra adorable in that red scarf and rain hat. Fun pics! 

    Can we please BLESS THAT HOOD!! And the '80s fabness of the new topper :) 

    And hilarious finding your coat twin abroad and right next to you!!! 

  • catherine replied 4 months ago

    So happy to hear that your coat and travel wardrobe are working. Can’t wait to see more photos. I always love your WIWs.

  • Carol replied 4 months ago

    Huh. You are selling that coat to me. I bought a simple Totes one a few years ago, and it didn't really quite do it in terms of water protection.

    Did you ever see this meme about clothing in the 80s?

  • JAileen replied 4 months ago

    As you know, I love your style and have copied you at times over the years.  The coat looks great on you.  I won’t be copying you on this, though, since it doesn’t rain here!. :)

  • Mirjana replied 4 months ago

    You look stunning even in rainy day. Yes, the weather is terrible, I wore my raincoat, similar to yours , yesterday and also today morning but now is sunny and temperature 23 degree Celsius. Absolutely crazy.

  • Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 4 months ago

    That coat is so perfect!  The color and fit suit you well, and I gotta say, having a rain resistant coat is a kind of magic in and of itself.

  • Cardiff girl replied 4 months ago

    Yes a raincoat is an essential item for the British “summer”.I hope that you are having a fab time despite the capricious weather we are having this year.

  • Sal replied 4 months ago

    This really was the perfect addition
    - serendipity. Much easier and better than the trench coats. I think the colour is such a good neutral too.

  • LJP replied 4 months ago

    I'm really tempted by this coat. I have NEVER worn my one black rain coat as much as I have this year, and I'm already sick of it. A light colour like this might be a less somber option for this constant rain we are having.  Lovely photos :)  

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    Thanks, all -- just popping in to wave and to tell Carol, that meme expresses exactly how I feel in the coat -- except not quite as colourful! Hilarious! 

    It really is a weird 80s kind of thing and yet I do kind of love it. And yes, the soul-sucking beige, which I prefer to consider "stone," or maybe oyster, seems to be a not-bad neutral on me! 

    The light colour makes it for me. I really wouldn't have liked it (for myself) in black, but they do have it in black as well as some other really nice colours and they seem to do it in different colours in different years. 

    I'm frankly astonished that it kept me dry, because often these coats promise more than they deliver. 

  • Sal replied 4 months ago

    Great meme Carol!

    Suz I think that because you wear brights and darks the contrast of the light works so well.

  • Bijou replied 4 months ago

    Love the meme Carol!

    So lovely to hear that the new coat has been a brilliant travel companion - you look gorgeous in all of these photos.

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