Rainy days aren’t so bad.
March 10th, 2009Filed under: Collections, History
Chicago is known for its less-than-desirable weather. The winters are frigid, windy, and snow-covered; the summers are hot and humid. You really have to wonder about the people who live here. What on earth makes us stay? We spend all summer longing for winter and all winter longing for summer.
The answer for a lot of Chicagoans is probably the city itself. In spite of its weather, Chicago is a pretty incredible place to live. Six million people can’t be wrong, after all.
Lots of us end up compensating for our unfortunate climate by purchasing quirky and colorful rainy weather gear. And, since it’s currently a very wet and dreary day in the City of Big Shoulders, let’s take a look at some historic offerings to the rain gods.
This sunny ensemble was worn by a Chicagoan whilst visiting Nepal in 1969. Apparently, she went during monsoon season. Those clogs are vinyl, so technically they’re waterproof, though a mule might not be the first thing one thinks of wearing when it’s raining cats and dogs. You’ve got to admire her ingenuity in pairing practicality with fashion, though; those platforms wouldn’t have been out of place on a fashion runway, in 1969.
In 1977, Totes manufactured these packable children’s boots. They’re flexible enough to easily roll up, and came with their own (waterproof) carrying case. They’re actually quite high-tech, for being thirty years old; there’s no left or right, they simply go over your own shoes and mold themselves in place. Nifty. This pair was sold at our own Marshall Field & Company for five dollars.
This object is probably one of my favorites; it’s a clear rain hat, circa 1955, adorned with felt umbrellas. The umbrellas even have little seed pearls and sequins stitched on. And with its under-the-chin tie, it won’t blow away when the winds come sweeping off Lake Michigan.
We Chicagoans can still be playful with our foul weather gear. When I woke up this morning and saw the heavy gray clouds, I smiled and pulled on my whale-patterned wellies.
After all, bad weather is no excuse to be boring.
