Figure 1.--A British reader tells us, "The Barbour is the British country gentleman's waterproof, favoured by young and old. It is a waxed garment, amd pretty well 100 percent waterproof. It crackels a bit when wearing in cold wearther, but it keeps one warm, as well as dry. They have small sizes for 'boys', but my daughter wore one for horse riding."

Another type of inclement weather gear is rainwear. This is particulary important in England where it rains a good deal, both during the summer and winter. We have not been able to find much information on English rainwear. Both portraits and snapshots are relatively rare in the photographic record. It seems relatively rare to take snapshots when it is raining. And children do not wear rainwear for formal portrait. Thus we have been able to find few useful images. We know that several different types of rainwear were worn in England. We note oilskins, mcintoshes, raincoats, anoracks, and ponchos. A reader tells us about a rain garnent we have not noted before, the Barbour, described as the British country gentleman's waterproof. The classic gaberdine overcoat when assisted by an umbrella could double as both cold weather and rainwear. we do not see the raincoats like Ameruican boys wore. Quite a few boys wore gaberdine overcoats. School dress was more formal in Britain than America, especially by the 1930s when we see fewer American boys wearing suits to school. Some boys were able to make do without rainwear by using an umbrella.

English Climate

Another type of inclement weather gear is rainwear. This is particulary important in England where it rains a good deal, both during the summer and winter.

Photographic Record

We have not been able to find much information on English rainwear. Both portraits and snapshots are relatively rare in the photographic record. It seems relatively rare to take snapshots when it is raining. And children do not wear rainwear for formal portrait. Thus we have been able to find few useful images.

Chronology

Types

We know that several different types of rainwear were worn in England. The popularity of the differebnt types as well as the developmebt of new types has varied over time. We note oilskins, mcintoshes, raincoats, anoracks, and ponchos. A reader tells us about a rain garnent we have not noted before, the Barbour, described as the British country gentleman's waterproof. The classic gaberdine overcoat when assisted by an umbrella could double as both cold weather and rainwear. we do not see the raincoats like Ameruican boys wore. Quite a few boys wore gaberdine overcoats. School dress was more formal in Britain than America, especially by the 1930s when we see fewer American boys wearing suits to school. Some boys were able to make do without rainwear by using an umbrella.

Gender

Created: 3:59 AM 1/10/2011
Last updated: 9:30 PM 1/16/2011