Plastic rain bonnets are another "old lady" staple that get a bad rap. And along with sweater clips, eyeglass chains, high pants, and rolled stockings, I love them. I mean honestly, little old ladies have years more experience than us young whipper snappers, why not pay attention to the invaluable style tips?
Since it rains quite a bit here in the Northwest, sometimes a silk scarf tied around a fresh hairdo just won't cut it. A plastic rain bonnet is just the accessory for keeping dry on those pouring spring days. And the thing is less than $2 at a drugstore, WITH POLKA DOTS. Can you guess my ideal rain bonnet?
Kitties of course :)
They were quite popular in the 60s, banks and such gave them away (yes banks used to give away useful things, imagine that!), but other than that I really can't find much info on them. All I know is they work great and look awesome. And sometimes thats all I need to know.
49 comments:
I think they are adorable. Its so refreshing seeing a younger face in one. So often practical things lose style points but i see nothing wrong with these, especially when they're polka dotted or kitty-covered :)
xErin
anodetoreverie.blogspot.com
You're amazing. :D I love the idea of a rain bonnet - wish it rained more in CA though so that it would be a necessity...
I HAD ONE OF THESE! When I was a kid, though, not now when I might actually use/appreciate it. It looks completely perfect on you (what a shock!) even if it doesnt have cats on it.
- Gracie
That one is adorable with the polka dots!
Amazing! Yes I still see all the old ladies at my local hairdresser come out with plasic bonets on a rainy or windy day, protecting their perfectly set hair. My grandmother had an amazing clear plasic umbrella that was like a cocoon to protect her more volumous hairstyles that wouldn't fit under the plastic bonnet.
And I am totally with you on the eyeglass chains. I am currently looking for the perfect chain (so link me if you see one!) since I discovered I need two set sof glasses.
memories... my grandmother always had one in her purse. She used to have her hair set once a week so she wasn't going to let the rain ruin it!
How fun, I love a great vintage find!
I love it! You look so cute in your rain bonnet, and the polka dots are especially adorable. And I totally agree about old ladies having invaluable style tips. :)
(by the way, that little scarf you are wearing is lovely, I love those colours!)
my grandma always wore those and i always secretly thought they were cute :)
I love it, so cute! It rains here all the time, so it would be a great investment really, also it would save me looking like a drowned rat!
I have a red nylon one with a white plastic lining which is just so handy! They really are a great wet day accessory
I also love these but my boyfriend slags me off for wanting to buy one! :P
I've always thought someone should bring these back into fashion again, so useful and much more stylish than a battered umbrella.
haha, this is so cute! :D I would like to have one too :)
hugs ♥
You look adorable, grandma's always inspire my style x
That's so funny, it was really raining here yesterday and I saw an old lady with a rain bonnet and was instantly jealous!! I don't know where to get them over here in the UK, but I'm keeping an eye open. Once my friends and I all had vintage hair-dos and went out with plastic bags on our heads to protect the hair until our destination, which obviously just won't do for future occasions!!
Miss P xx
It's so cute! I didn't know they existed. Im Portugal I've never seen such a thing...
Yay for rain bonnets!!! I was recently watching a baseball game on TV and it started to rain [at the game.] The cameraman zoomed in on two ladies, one younger and one wiser. While the younger struggled with her rain poncho, the wiser lady, with her poncho already on, whipped out a rain bonnet and donned it. The announcer said "Yes, folks, it certainly is bonnet weather." So from now on, I'm calling any type of rain "bonnet weather!"
that was so cute with polka dots! =)
Only you could make a plastic rain bonnet look that awesome. You are so gorgeous! If I ever see a cat covered rain cap I'll be sure to scoop it up for you.
XOXO
Banks? Wow, they had sense back then! I kinda love them but not had the bottle to wear one yet! :)
i once found a small shop that sold them in tiny little plastic purses... they had flowers printed on them.
i stick to my umbrella, but you pull it off!
These little beauties are a must for us curly girls. With just a drop of humidity we can go from sleek and coifed to POOF!lol. Great post. Since it is raining in N. California off and on these days, I will be sure to grab one at walgreens.
Brings back memories for me too! My mother wore them. I remember she made me wear one to school one rainy day. I didn't like it, at all! Now, I would probably appreciate it.
The polka dots are very cute!
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
haha! i've never even considered a rain bonnet, but you look absolutely adorable in one. might have to pick one up now!
No way, I was wishing for one of those just a few hours ago, when I had to run an errand and the rain was threatening to destroy my pin-curls...You sure make it look good Solanah!
I dont think I have ever seen a plastic rain bonnet before, I need one of my very own
Hey, snap! I've just posted about rain bonnets as well! Got inspired after getting caught out in a heavy downpour recently... I found a lovely old video when I was doing my research - I've linked to it in my post:
http://loveletterfromlondon.blogspot.com/2011/05/rain-bonnet-lament-sequel-to-headscarf.html
You pull it off really well, by the way. I was having issues finding nice ones - perhaps I need to try my local shops like you did, rather than the internet.
And rolled stockings? Are you telling me people think they're granny territory? Surely they're the coolest, most fun (and kinda cheeky) thing? Well, they are in my books, anyway!
I remember getting a rain bonnet from a funeral home when I was in second grade, like back in the mid nineties. They weren't as cute, but they did roll up super small and were fun to snap.
I Love your style so much. You seem to get away with things no one else can, like this bonnet. If I was to go around with one people would be thinking "what the heck!", but on you it works!
Oh wow, who ever decided these things aren't cool shouldn't be allowed to make decisions anymore! I would absolutely kill for one of those here in Vancouver, it rains non stop.
It's just such a stellar look <3 I love the 60s space age vibe they give off, women sure knew what they were doing back then! Better than some of the ridiculous rain-proof gear I see some people wearing around.
http://mini-crini.blogspot.com/
Hi from australia
As a little girl I always wore a bright red plastic mac and a fold-up plastic rain hat which had little white dots in rows. Since the start of high school I have loved walking in the rain under an umbrella (most times also cheerful bright red) but a while ago I found a nylon mac and rain bonnet in a charity shop and I wear them when an umbrella is a pain for others, like in sports crowds. I think that's still the best alternative, certainly better than those plastic ponchos they sell, or tying a K-mart bag over your head. Mind you, it has to be the accordion kind of rain hat. You look wonderful in that 'visor' bonnet but you're one of the very few!
adorable,your style is awesome!
It looks amaze-balls on you!! If I wore that I would actually get mistaken for a granny :( xx
You've probably seen this already, but you just reminded me of the 1960's Emilio Pucci uniforms for Braniff Airways.
They gave the stewardesses 'space helemts' to protect their hair from engine blast & gusts on the tarmac =)
http://www.nasm.si.edu/imagedetail.cfm?imageID=1350
I would love to own a rain bonnet. But sadly nowhere sells them here in New Zealand. :-(. Yours is adorable!
Aw you look adorable in that. I didn't even know these things existed, but I may have to track one down now
I'm fairly sure you are lying or are really lucky, as I've only seen a rain bonnet at a flea market.
Oh God yes! This spring has been so god awful, I barely eve bother doing my hair right now. I'd give my firstborn for some sunshine
wow I love your photos! :O You really do like like you've stepped out of another era.
Please visit my *new* blog at:
www.giddys.blogspot.com
:D
I always thought that the rain would end up dripping down one's neck -- cute though.
I agree with you!
and I have that same rain bonnet! =)
I have to admit that rain bonnets bring back memories of my granny and all the other ladies donning them when everyone congregated outside after church. But they all wore them as young ladies, too. They're incredibly practical so I say that we bring them back.
Hi! Just love this discussion. I have worn plastic rain hats for as long as I can remember (nearly 50 years) and these days I am increasingly going back to them because they're so much more convenient and umbrellas have become so tacky and boring and inadequate. Even my daughter (late teens) isn't that averse to them.
My favoritr from childhood is one with little white umbrellas on it, that did me for most of primary school.
a while back I found these pics of the Queen, no less, wearing a spotted fold-up rain hat at the Montreal Olympics. If it's good enough for royalty....
trixiesbeautybar.wordpress.com
The pics I mentioned in my last post can be found there.
trixiesbeautybar.wordpress.com
If you can't see the pics, use the site's search engine (scrool to the bottom of the page) and search 'queen' and 'rain bonnet'. Sorryfor the inconvenience.
Wow, this brings back memories. My grandmother had a stash of these from her local Citizens First Bank branch.
Helena, that rain hat the Queen is wearing is identical to the one I had! Little white spots, white ties, I had dark hair (still have some!) and I loved the way the dots stood out, just like Solanah!
Well - have I got news for all your rain mate or rain bonnet lovers - have a look at the really cool rain bonnets on http://www.misspepin.com/ As a child I was made to wear the concertina version with the drips running down on to the thin cotton strap under my chin - and I vowed I would NEVER wear one as an adult. But we have so many windy showers here in Edinburgh that umbrella's are just impossible that I now crave a handy, light protector that I can put in my pocket - yes, a rain hood! I don't want to be seen as out-dated though and don't even want to wear Her Majesty's choice. I've been searching the internet for months and finally found the ones in the link above. Cool or what!!!
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