Inclement weather

[Steve]

I was browsing a hiking forum and someone posted a link to this that I thought you all might find interesting http://www.rainskirts.com/

They were one of the original testers and apparently they like it *shrug*.

On the topic, it was raining today and I was wearing a skirt and the bottom half was soaked despite the fact that I was carrying an umbrella (this problem doesn't seem to be quite as bad for pants). How do you all stay dry in the rain?

[Charlie]

I'd buy one. What a great way to walk in the rain Walking with waterproof over trousers is a real pain. Do they sell them in the UK? What to wear underneath - a skirt or trousers? If I was walking to work (or anywhere else for that matter) I think I'd wear a skirt underneath and change into trousers if necessary at my destination.

'Course, it wouldn't rain for weeks after I'd bought one

Charlie

[Kilted_John]

Hmmm, very interesting... Bookmarked the link. If they made a sportwrap, I could see that working well as a kilt cover, since it wouldn't be too long, yet would be easy to get on and off over a kilt, avoiding the usual wet pleat problem when you climb into a car after you've been walking in heavy rain...

-J

[Stu]

Has anyone emailed this firm to see if these garments are designed or marketed as "unisex"?

Stu

[Sasquatch]

It appears so, since they have two testimonials from men and two from women. They also stated:

Some men prefer the skirt to the wrap because of its strait lines.

Amazing this hasn't been thought-up before. We should email them for the discount coupons to encourage them. It's not easy to get a business off the ground right now, especially if textiles are involved. If you get a US mill to sew these things, the Asians will ignore your patent and undercut your market. It takes years of legal wrangling to get patent enforcement and an upstart business will be bankrupt before it gets settled. It happened to some friends of mine who were producing golf grip and head covers and bag covers.

Sasq

[Libby Earthman]

Hi Fellas,

I’m delighted that you found my website (http://www.rainskirts.com), and equally excited to see this one—what a great forum. Thanks for sharing your well wishes, they're heartening indeed.

They will only be available via the website, starting April 1, 2008. The skirts are hand made in the USA by woman making a living wage, so selling them through stores (with their mark up) would make them much too expensive for customers.

I’m willing to ship them internationally, which costs about $11-14 per skirt and takes about 10 days. Combining your shipment with a friend’s would help keep shipping costs down.

The skirts are marketed as “unisex” and are designed with men in mind. In my opinion, the wrap and sport skirt are perfect for fellas who take huge steps because there is no sewn bottom circumference to limit one’s mobility.

Thanks again for the kind remarks. Please email me through http://www.rainskirts.com if you have questions—and don’t forget to email your size me before April 1st if you’d like me to take 15% off your first order.

Best,
Libby

[Sasquatch]

Thanks for the info, Libby. Could you give us an idea of the prices for these garments?
sasq

[Bri]

it also might be a good idea to put male models on the page in every skirt catagory. Regular, sport, and the kids model. I know this may seem a bit strange to tell you but the idea of "he's in the skirt, so it must be a men's thing too" really works. Also, really, really try to make a very positive impression on the male market as they'll probably need it when buying or looking at one. The female market doesn't (as you probably know) need the pursuasion (sp?).

[Libby Earthman]

Hi Fellas,

Thanks for the great ideas. I had not thought about putting men on each page. I have a great picture of a biker friend modeling a wrap that I'll try to get up today. (I'll attach it here too)

I somehow missed adding pricing information to the last post--the skirts will range in price from $90-120USD, plus shipping (which runs from about $4-11, depending a national or international destination). With a 15% discount, the skirts will be between $76.50-102. The 15% discount will only apply to folks who inquire about the skirts before they're ready for sale, on or about April 1, 2008, though the discount itself will be good all year.

Thanks again! You are all so helpful.

Libby

[Uncle Al]

Libby,

You may want to review your website. When I visited it, the
pictures were hiding the text which described the picture.
This happened on more than the 1st page. Also, sizing is
not listed.

Just an FYI!

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[BrotherTailor]

What a great idea! I hope this catches on Libby

Is there a special rubberised fabric you make them out of? I've never tried looking for waterproof material.....

[Bri]

talking about inclimate weather, everytime I go to put a skirt on to go outside (because it starts warming again) I find that it's not nearly as warm as I thought, or it just cools off like 20 deg. and gets to the point where most people would be stupid to wear a short skirt (only kind I have).

[BrotherTailor]

Today it is quite mild, but very windy. I went for a walk and out to the barn on maternity patrol wearing a mid-calf dress with 3 cotton petticoats. Over this I yanked on a fleece pullover, a pair of socks and winter coat and wellies. I was quite warm and could have stayed out for hours. With the long dress/petticoats and the warm socks, tall boots there was little outside air to be felt.

And all that with the wonderful freedom of wearing NOTHING underneath

edited to say:
I should also add that when I got back in I trucked down to the basement and shook down the furnace, stoked it, then carried up the stairs a metal garbage can of ash to spread on the drive and walkways. Anyone who says you can't do manual work and climb stairs in a long dress or skirt has never tried for very long. I don't mind getting them smudged or dirty - pop 'em in the wash and "presto"! instant clean.

[Big and Bashful]

On Friday I went for a hike in the hills (Mud, peat, bracken, bogs etc. The usual Scottish hilltops) in a strong gale with very heavy showers. I wore a long (At least mid-calf) denim heavy skirt, just socks and boots under it. To start with I found it far better than wearing jeans, it didn't seem to get as wet, cold and clingy as wet jeans get, the downwind leg didn't even feel damp. After an hour or so I was heading back and some extra heavy rain came on. Eventually the skirt got soaked and got just as unpleasant as wet jeans. So the outcome of my little experiment: Denim isn't exactly ideal when the weather gets bad.
How warm are Macabis? Don't look like cold weather wear from the description on their site,

[mountain-mug]

I have one of the rain skirts from Emergent Designs, and my wife will also as soon as she gets the size worked out. They have great workmanship and design, and should be a very practical alternative to rain pants. I have not had an opportunity to test them out yet, but as we're going to visit Scotland in a few weeks I bet they get a thorough test!

We will be in Aberlour, Inverness and Glen Coe, doing lots of hill walking, some stone circle exploring, distillery visits and just the usual tourist sight-seeing. Would some of the Scottish (or UK) members care to comment on local reaction to skirt wearing (not tartan kilts, either denim or something like the Mountain Kilt or Columbia hiking skirt (I think it is called Bridgeport). Never having been to Scotland, I don't know what kind of reception I'd get. From reading posts, it sounds like there should be no problem, but your thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!