Price Points: Women’s khaki waterproof coats

The Indian summer has abruptly come to an end this week. The dog and I have returned home from our walks wet through after being caught out by unexpected and heavy downpours. Every single year, it takes me a while to get back into the swing of donning a coat before going out – I never learn!

I’ve been browsing waterproof coats online this week because I’m in need of a new one. My old one, even though it’s only about 5 years old, has seen a lot of rain, sleet and snow action. It’s rarely off my back from October through to around April. It’s got all stained from all the slipping in mud and clambering over mossy stiles.

I really fancy a new khaki green one. It needs to have a hood and lots of pockets for keys, phone and dog walking detritus – poo bags, lead, treats. And most of all, it must be able to withstand the kind of rain the Pennines are famous for!

Regatta women’s Brodiaea waterproof jacket: £75.00, Millets
The North Face Women’s Inlux insulated HyVent™ jacket: £140.00, Blacks
Women’s Sickline insulated jacket: £290.00, The North Face

Price Points: Women’s down jackets

Have you been watching Winterwatch this week? We tune in, of course, for all the wonderful wildlife. But we love the presenters and their rapport with each other. The way Chris Packham tries to shoehorn in as many titles of punk singles into his dialogue as he can – hilarious!

I always admire the clothes they wear as well – lots of lovely outdoor wear. Chris and Michaela have both been wearing some mighty fine down jackets over the past few years and I’ve been coveting one. Not one in boring black – something bright green like theirs’ or perhaps a vibrant purple.

The one from Uniqlo is a lovely colour, but it doesn’t look terribly warm or waterproof and it doesn’t have an all important hood. The top of the range North Face example looks really robust, but the fabric is a bit too shiny for me. The mid-range Rab has a great colour and looks warm & waterproof. I also like the fact that it appears to give you a shape – the Michelin Man look isn’t a good one!

WOMEN ultra light down jacket: £59.90, Uniqlo
Rab women’s ascent jacket: £140, GOoutdoors
The North Face women’s hooded Elysium jacket: £220.99, OutdoorKit

Welsh Wool

Our last blog featured the characteristic designs of mid 20th century German pottery and how it captured an era. Another favourite of ours, with an equally distinctive look, is Welsh wool with its astounding range of colours, patterns and textures.

_{claret & cream}

_{vibrant orange & olive green}

_{shades of coffee}

A number of mills have produced these high quality textiles over the years and in some cases still do. A couple of good examples producing traditional Welsh wool tapestry are Trefriw Woollen Mills and Solva Woollen Mill.

The distinctive designs are not ‘tapestry’ in the truest sense of the word but are, in fact, double woven cloth producing a pattern on both sides.

Mills manufactured textiles for sale by the length and also produced their own range of homewares including blankets, throws, cushions, place mats etc.

_{Tapestry drink coasters}

In addition, these textiles were purchased wholesale by fashion manufacturers including Gwydir Garments, Dwyryd Clothes, Coracle Clothes, Gannex and many more.

The cloth was then made up into coats, jackets, capes, waistcoats, skirts, belts, hats, handbags and purses.

_{vintage handbag}

_{skirt & waistcoat suit}

The 1960s were undoubtedly the heyday for Welsh wool. Nothing screams the 60s quite like a Welsh wool tapestry cape, mini skirt and knee-high boots. In fact, Mary Quant was known to make trips to Wales to source fabric for her fashion house.

However, recent designs by Melin Tregwynt have really moved things on once more and are much loved by contemporary interiors magazines. Whether it’s this modern look or the vintage pieces, these textiles look fantastic in the home.

The green and orange colourways look amazing with dark woods such as teak and rosewood, the bright pinks zing against white acrylic and browns & creams lift rustic pine with a bit of subtle colour and texture.

There are obviously no rules though, and the range of colours and patterns allows for great fun and flexibility.

Quality vintage pieces remain affordable and, having been out of favour for a few years, are being appreciated once more.

A creeping rejection of the cheap and mass-produced, the recognition of hand-crafted objects and the use of natural products stands Welsh wool in good stead for the future.

_{vintage handbag}

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: jackets

Price Points: Women’s khaki waterproof coats

Price Points: Women’s down jackets

Welsh Wool