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Are rain coats and thermals not a thing

67 replies

rainraingoaways · 04/02/2026 22:00

I often meet up with my friends and there children or just friends and I’m amazed at how many people don’t have appropriate winter clothing or check the weather. The amount of times I’ve met up with friends and it’s rained or raining and they don’t have a rain coat or umbrella. Recently during a cold spell after Christmas one of my friends mentioned how cold she was but she had ankle length jeans with trainers thin top and light coat. I also had another experience recently of meeting friends for lunch on Tuesday and then popping off to an animal farm after if time allowed. after lunch I put my toddler in a puddle suit and wellies she asked if it was muddy. I did state it’s a farm and we’ve had non stop rain all week it’s most likely going to be muddy so she didn’t come as the child only had leather shoes and thin coat. Friends will also arrange to meet up in town for coffee but last minute suggest re arranging as it’s raining. When the weather is cold enough I always wear a thermal vest I keep a rain jacket in the bottom of my buggy with gloves and I check the weather in the morning. It’s rained so much where we live recently that I’ve been wearing wellies when out with my toddler as the parks are so muddy and wet. I have a decent cheapish pair of warm shoes for when cold. For 99percent of my friends money isn’t an issue they could afford a vest or rain coat and one friend has recently bought a rain coat to match mine after getting wet while I didn’t. Is it that they are trying to be fashionable still

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:27

99pwithaflake · 05/02/2026 09:23

For many outdoors activities you can’t use an umbrella though, so unless you want to end up soaked within two minutes, you need a raincoat of some kind.

I don’t have one, but I’m either walking, with dc and we were park daily types or running. With the latter I just get wet. I get hot too so it’s not an issue. Or warm in winter.

CantThinkofaNam · 05/02/2026 09:28

DrCoconut · 04/02/2026 22:40

Me neither, the thought makes me want to rip my skin off. Horrible sweaty, itchy things.

You probably had polyester thermals then.

As an adult I’ve invested in cashmere thermals and it’s life changing. No exaggeration. Absolutely thin, super warm and not itchy one bit. My base layers are thermals and it’s truly changed how I dress and feel.

Girasoli · 05/02/2026 09:28

I am a stereotypical Italian mum and we all have several coats for all levels of cold/windiness (I am more relaxed than my mum though and just make the DC bring them with them rather than force them to wear them even if they say they are warm).
I also stock up on wooly vests for the DC whenever I go to Italy.

DS1 is taking after me in the wanting appropriate layers for all situations and regularly tells me he needs new base layers (he plays a lot of football and wears them under his kit, unfortunately they can be a bit like tights and rip when you fall on astro turf).

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99pwithaflake · 05/02/2026 09:28

EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:27

I don’t have one, but I’m either walking, with dc and we were park daily types or running. With the latter I just get wet. I get hot too so it’s not an issue. Or warm in winter.

If you just got wet on a day like today in Cumbria you would be freezing within two minutes 🫣

CantThinkofaNam · 05/02/2026 09:30

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 05/02/2026 09:10

I live opposite a big park in a suburb, but I grew up in a national park.

I take my toddler out rain or shine for at least a couple of hours a day, and I'm kind of astonished that more people don't. Not because they should or have to enjoy being outside, but because keeping a toddler indoors or in soft play for days on end is surely hell?

Being wet, muddy and miserable farting around in a park in the rain? That is pure hell. Even my kids wouldn’t want to do that. They don’t like soft play either. Win win for me. What’s wrong with being at home?

EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:30

99pwithaflake · 05/02/2026 09:28

If you just got wet on a day like today in Cumbria you would be freezing within two minutes 🫣

With running? No I wouldn’t. And if I’m not running then I can hold an umbrella.

Favouritefruits · 05/02/2026 09:32

Wait till your child starts school and see the abomination kids come in!
pouring with rain- no coat
freezing- thin jacket
boing hot sun- huge winter ski coat

honestly the mind boggles what goes through people’s heads.

99pwithaflake · 05/02/2026 09:35

EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:30

With running? No I wouldn’t. And if I’m not running then I can hold an umbrella.

Yep - it’s -8 with windchill where I am. An umbrella would break as soon as you’d left the house!

EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:38

99pwithaflake · 05/02/2026 09:35

Yep - it’s -8 with windchill where I am. An umbrella would break as soon as you’d left the house!

Well I don’t live there so it’s ok, I’ve survived so far ;

I have decent coats though, hat and scarf, just no raincoat.

TonTonMacoute · 05/02/2026 09:46

I live in Cornwall, thermals and waterproofs - especially footwear - are a must.

bobby81 · 05/02/2026 09:48

I’m with you OP. We all have thermals / waterproof coats / wellies. We get plenty of use out of them because we have dogs & a horse so spend lots of time outdoors. I hate being cold so always try to be prepared!

99pwithaflake · 05/02/2026 09:53

EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:38

Well I don’t live there so it’s ok, I’ve survived so far ;

I have decent coats though, hat and scarf, just no raincoat.

Fair enough. I just know I’d be pretty bloody miserable without a waterproof in the Cumbrian winter!

JLou08 · 05/02/2026 12:19

EasternStandard · 05/02/2026 09:12

I’ve never worn a thermal or raincoat but only because I prefer a coat, warm scarf and umbrella. So you can avoid those things listed and be outdoorsy.

I know, I love being out in all weather's but I've never worn thermals. OP is talking about people who cancel plans because of rain/cold, I think some of them may tolerate bad weather better if they had better clothing.

CaptainMyCaptain · 05/02/2026 12:21

Poshjock · 04/02/2026 22:09

I have dogs, so I have a whole wardrobe for all seasons and locations. If I have to go out in the rain, snow and mud, sure as hell I am going to be comfy, warm and dry. Been in wellies for months now.

Same. Getting really sick of the mud now but I have a range of down jackets, waterproofs, walking boots and wellies.

EnchantedDaytime · 05/02/2026 12:29

I do agree that the right footwear is important, I have snowboots, thick neoprene wellies and walking boots as well as trainers, clogs etc. Just not keen on thick coats, scarves, gloves etc and rarely need thermals.

AlexaAlexa2017 · 05/02/2026 12:32

Reading this on a top deck of a London bus- apart from a couple of men in running gear and a couple of teenagers in Ugg boots everyone seems to be appropriately dressed for the current rain and wind! Coats, hats, appreciated footwear, umbrellas etc! Sure there’s lots of Uniqlo Heatech on underneath as well!

ItsOkItsDarkChocolate · 06/02/2026 11:33

rainraingoaways · 04/02/2026 22:00

I often meet up with my friends and there children or just friends and I’m amazed at how many people don’t have appropriate winter clothing or check the weather. The amount of times I’ve met up with friends and it’s rained or raining and they don’t have a rain coat or umbrella. Recently during a cold spell after Christmas one of my friends mentioned how cold she was but she had ankle length jeans with trainers thin top and light coat. I also had another experience recently of meeting friends for lunch on Tuesday and then popping off to an animal farm after if time allowed. after lunch I put my toddler in a puddle suit and wellies she asked if it was muddy. I did state it’s a farm and we’ve had non stop rain all week it’s most likely going to be muddy so she didn’t come as the child only had leather shoes and thin coat. Friends will also arrange to meet up in town for coffee but last minute suggest re arranging as it’s raining. When the weather is cold enough I always wear a thermal vest I keep a rain jacket in the bottom of my buggy with gloves and I check the weather in the morning. It’s rained so much where we live recently that I’ve been wearing wellies when out with my toddler as the parks are so muddy and wet. I have a decent cheapish pair of warm shoes for when cold. For 99percent of my friends money isn’t an issue they could afford a vest or rain coat and one friend has recently bought a rain coat to match mine after getting wet while I didn’t. Is it that they are trying to be fashionable still

You sound awesome @rainraingoaways !! I am defo on your team!! Dress appropriately for the weather and get on with life. Which reminds me, I need some new wellies! 😂

I think it sadly highlights just how much modern life removes us from the outdoors and nature.

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