My new raincoat was delivered yesterday and in a stroke of serendipitous timing, it rained all day today so I could take it out for a test drive.
It was an unqualified success. Cozy warm, it kept me completely dry with none of those annoying seam leaks, and best of all, the hood fits. Since I have long (some would say swanlike, but not me of course) neck, hoods are always problematic. I bought rain gear last summer to be prepared when the rains finally came only to discover when they did that the coat’s hood was way too shallow leaving my face and glasses out in the rain.
I understand a dark (I thought it was black, but the picture makes me assume that it’s really navy. That is mrpeenee’s fashion sense in one sentence) unremarkable parka would not rate as fashion for most people, but since all the rest of my clothing purchases in the last decade have been identical replacements for whatever tee shirt wears out, this was a pretty extraordinary event.
Because I bought the first one so long ago, I don’t remember what made me pick it originally. Probably it was the first thing listed on the Land’s End web site that day. As I mentioned, it fit oddly, with sleeves long enough, but the tail too short to cover my butt and the stupid hood perched on the back of my head. Both coats though came loaded down with all sorts of velcro and zippers and odd pockets that I have no idea what to do with. It seems sort over engineered for San Francisco’s undemanding weather. Part of the description for the new one promised something about the pockets that would keep the snow out. What? Perhaps my readers more familiar with snow can explain why that’s a thing. Does snow sneak into your pockets? I wouldn’t put it past it; I’m very suspicous of snow.
In other news: naked guys far away from cold gray weather

That’s called a “tan.” Perhaps you have forgotten about them.

keeping warm is important during these trying times.

Sunny, warm, tropicale. Even in California it calls to me.