Raingear in the garden is easy to find. However functional AND cute raingear is worth investigating. As often as possible, I try to attend the Garden Bloggers Fling. This event is held once a year in different parts of the country. Last year it was held in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania. Formerly known as The Garden Bloggers Fling, a recent re-brand has changed the name to The Fling. Now The Fling includes the diverse ways the garden community utilizes social media of all types to advance awareness of the beauty surrounding us. The Fling is also an opportunity to connect with other bloggers, writers, and garden aficionados in real life.
The Fling of 2023 was led by Karl Gercens, while my friend Janet and I served as bus captains. All of the gardens we visited were simply beautiful despite the chilly neverending rain. Raingear was a requirement due to the weather forecast. We had ponchos included in our goodie bags, however, we did not anticipate heavy periods of rain. We also did not consider how to protect our cameras and cell phones. While the ponchos were helpful and great forward-thinking, they were not effective in keeping many of the attendees warm or thoroughly dry.
At one garden, my friend Heather Andrews was the envy of many in attendance. On a sunny day, Heather is the ray of sunshine any gardener would welcome. On this rainy overcast morning, Heather was as cute as a button, fashionably attired in a floral raincoat by RainSisters and dry. I knew I needed a coat that had the quality that was keeping Heather dry and warm. As a seamstress and Assistant Buyer for Women’s Coats and Suits, years ago for Raleigh Haberdashery in Washington, DC, I tend to notice the quality of clothing. The coat was not just cute, but the quality construction was amazing.
Rainsisters offers a variety of prints as well as sizes. This company has a commitment to sustainability by embracing slow fashion and conscientious ways to reduce what we discard. While cute, these coats are an investment and something to be cherished year after year.
I fell in love with the deep pockets which can easily hold a cell phone, a wallet, or even a small camera. After trying (and failing) to resurrect my small camera after realizing it was soaking beneath my poncho, I realized how pockets are quite the essential feature. The ample hood was also a great selling point when balancing an umbrella and a camera proved to be challenging. My memories of The Fling include quite a few blurred photos.
Not that I needed much encouragement to just treat myself, the full skirt made me smile. I love a full circular skirt for the freedom and femininity they exude. As I wore my coat on the most recent rainy day, the urge to twirl came over me again and again. I twirled on the street, twirled as I retrieved my garlic dip with focaccia from nido-dc, and I twirled while walking Precious. I am sure my neighbors are rethinking my sanity at this point. As long as I have my coat on, I will seize every opportunity to twirl.
Raingear is usually basic in form and built for function. I love fashionable attire whether working in the garden, touring gardens, at a farmers market, or simply walking in the rain. If it keeps me warm and doesn’t make me feel as if I am in a plastic bag, even better.
When a good garden buddy shares the info on any product that any gardener would love, that is meaningful to me. Heather Andrews helps others create sustainable gardens that are beneficial to our wildlife. Both of us speak the language of protecting our pollinators and more by incorporating native plants into our green spaces. Thank you Heather for sharing this resource. Next garden excursion – rain or shine – I will be ready!
Dizzy from twirling and thinking about pink or purple rain boots. I need to complete my rain attire…fashionably of course.
Teri – Cottage in the Court (NOT AI GENERATED)
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