A Toronto team is making it easier to sizzle in this drizzle with their Vancouver-made rainwear line. Considering Vancouver is also their best selling market, we chatted with the three ladies behind Trout Rainwear co-founding sisters Ashley McDonald and Jenn Lancefield, and head designer Sara Hopgood about the launch of their sophomore Spring/Summer collection.
How have raincoats evolved since the days of the yellow slicker?
Trout: Early raincoats were rubberized and had no breathability. They restricted movement and were never intended to make a fashion statement; rather, they worked as a utility piece. In the almost 200 years since their invention, raincoats have come a long way. Our material is hydrophobic, double-face cotton and polyurethane (rubber-free), so it bends, breathes, beads off raindrops and allows for a full range of motion.
What are some new advances?
Trouts main feature is our seam tape. Any waterproof fabric that is punctured with a needle is no longer waterproof, so seam tape allows jackets to stay 100 per cent waterproof. We seal all seams with heat-sealed tape rather than glue, so it doesnt peel. Weve also added easy-access pockets for cell phones, longer sleeves to allow hands to stay dry and generous hoods to keep you hidden from all raindrops!
How should one care for a raincoat?
A high quality raincoat should be able to last you a decade or more. But if you are going to invest in a piece for that length of time, you might want to avoid fashion flourishes and trends that could look dated in five years, let alone look out of style next season. In terms of care for the garment, our jackets do not have to be cleaned often, as the hydrophobic fabric repels spillage just as well as it repels rain. Spot clean where necessary.
Umbrellas? Yes or no...
No. Umbrellas are everyones worst enemy. They flip inside-out in the wind, you get stuck carrying them around with you, you never have one when you need one, they hog space on the sidewalk and always get forgotten behind. Umbrellas are just obnoxious!
Styling tips for rocking a raincoat?
1. If your trench fits as well as it should, you dont need to cinch the belt around your waist. Let it hang or loosely tie it behind your back.
2. The collars on our jackets are designed to be bulky and sit up to cover the back of your neck. When in the rain, all our collars fold out into a generous hood.
3. In SS13 brights were attracting a lot of attention so we offered seam tape in bright neons. For SS14 we are feeling the floral prints and pastels, so we have an inner liner that features a liberty splatter-print pattern and have softened the neons to pastels for the season. But those elements are optional and neutral colours are always available for those that like the classic look.
Trouts SS14 collection focuses on four styles: the Sevan Cape (a two-toned cape style with a hood), Bonneville Blazer (a 3-button single-breasted storm-proof blazer), Humboldt (their signature sporty style from SS13) and Baby Gila Trench (a twist on their best-selling Gila style from SS13). This collection also introduces the Rainbow Liner: an ultra lightweight insulation to add an extra layer of warmth on chilly days. Prices range from $535-$730; available at Holt Renfrew.
You can follow Kelsey Klassen on twitter @KelseyKlassen
