Pakamac

Ken, I'd love to know what happened to the Rainstar label. I used to buy loads of their nylon macs in the 1980s and 90s. I do remember that I also had a Rainstar polka dot, hooded, see through plastic mac. I remember the plastic packaging that they were all sold in, were very like the ones Pakamac sold their macs in. At the time, I thought Rainstar had come from Pakamac but maybe they just emulated the packaging and styles.

Rainstar macs slowly disappeared, replaced by the YB Wet label. I bought my last Rainstar from a small shop, which was closing down, in 2004. They seemed to have a good stock of them but the shop was gone 3 weeks later. The ladies YB Wet nylon macs were exactly the same as Rainstar down to the styling, hidden hoods, belts and buttons. Apart from the name, the packaging was exactly the same. Slowly, they changed the material to a slightly thicker nylon, which unfortunately creased more easily, they changed the button style but included a spare and the belt was better finished.

I don't know what happened to that label either. Those macs too disappeared from the shops that I frequented. I bought my last one, in a ladieswear shop in 2010.

Hi Hugh my ex wife had Rainstar and CA nylon macs and others I bought her Rainstar was a particularly exciting for me happy days pasted all to quickly

Don't know of their history, but I have owned one, perhaps two, in the past. Whilst all the features are there, the half moon pockets, and the nice buttons, but if memory serves, the nylon was a little thin, and lacked the noisy rustle that the Pakamac brand could boast. Try and get your hands on an old C&A mac, or Dunn&Co, a particular favourite of mine.

Looking at a old Rainstar Mac the label. says made in Britain does anybody the history of the company and what became of them regards

Hello Brian. Would you be so good as to private message me on: hughdavies957@yahoo.com

The "mackintosh" debate has really started something.
I would to go mackintoshing with Charlie Anne Wray. How many of you have made her virtual acquaintance?

Thank you for that Brian. We are now keeping this magical word in the public arena, and hopefully more will use it rather than the more common abbreviated version. I was glad that you used the word with a lower case 'm', since to use the upper case,'Mackintosh' refers to the particular brand, and the lower case 'mackintosh' is n fact a generic term for any type of raincoat. It is lamentable that we see very few of these items out and about, although, and you referred in your message to ebay, they are widely available.

Mmmmmm,but mackintosh is a thrilling word. Apart from anything else,they were the original makers of those lovely Quality Street chocolates. But, in a waterproof context, the nearest items to the original rubber-lined garments, are those fabulous rubber-proofed satin creations by Lakeland Elements. Not to mention the gorgeous Charlie Ann Wray, who frequently models them. However, they are prohibitively expensive. The sole item in my wardrobes of this nature is a royal blue metallic mackintosh, proofed by black rubber. It cost some £400, and is the most expensive item I have.

Many of you have mentioned the scarcity of the original 50s and 60s items-sadly all too true. But keep looking at e-bay. If you are in a buying mood-and what waterproof enthusiast isn't?-you will always find something of interest. Not only have I never been disappointed with any of my purchases, but I have frequently forged good relationships with the vendors.

Thank you for your contribution on this thread Susan, it seem's I'm not as alone a I'd thought.

Yes, you're correct Hugh, mackintosh is a wonderful word that for me, conjures up such wonderful feelings. I'm partial to all words describing raincoats, particularly 'plastic mac' and 'nylon mac' but replace mac with mackintosh and the feelings just grow.

Yes Beverly, we have similar memories. I have read several of your posts and you are among the few who helps keep the word alive. Thank you!

mackintosh yes indeed is a lovely word. Can just hear a strict mummy saying stearnly to her daughter put on your MACKINTOSH.Plastic mackintosh n hood . mmmmmmmmmm

Hello everyone. I'm a late-comer to this feed, although I have enjoyed reading the posts for some time. I was just hoping that anyone on here would like to engage in a discussion about the root of our passion? I have been drawn to nylon mackintoshes since early childhood and would be interested to know of your story?

I remember as a 10 year old in the mid 1960s wearing a (black?) plastic pakamac. I loved wearing it as often as possible. There was a girl living nearby who I was friends with who also wore plastic. Sometimes we played a game when wearing our pakamacs that we called "shake".We would shake each other, or shake ourselves! Our other friends thought we were "shook" when they saw us, but we didn't mind.

The thing is, are we going to get a summer this year? I use one of my favourite words yet again-Brrrrrrrr!!!

Does anyone on here lament the decline in use of the word mackintosh? Mac, raincoat, trenchcoat are fine, but mackintosh has such a ring to it. It need not necessarily refer to the rubber coat we all know. Mackintosh with upper case 'M' is after all a rand name. But mackintosh with lower case 'm' is a generic term for any type of raincoat, whatever the fabric. I, of course, am dedicated to the nylon pakamac type mackintosh.
I would welcome your comments.

Yes we are surprised that you can't find them in more shops because they are perfect for our summers!

Thanks Rob pity you can't remember more bit of a long drive without more details regards Richard

Sorry I can't remember it is made by RAIN but they are ladies.

Hi Rob thanks a shop. near Ayr can you be a bit. more pacific please can you. remember the name of the shop please regards Richard

Its the one on the 16 July 2017 Rob

Thank you Rob I can't find your comment could you
refresh it please regards

We get asked this a lot Richard and we did find somewhere last summer. Its on our comment in July if it helps.

I find it has to be cold for it to be comfortable enough to sleep all night in a plastic mac. A nylon mac can be worn most nights except perhaps for the warmest summer. Like Berverley, I wear them to sleep in on most nights.

Does anyone know where we can purchase a plastic Mac the type that used to be quality type not the paper thin type regards

Never to cold for a pac a mac good luck Beverly admire your honesty

There was a typing error in my last post. The appropriate word is Brrrrrr!!

I can say only one word to Beverly Mr-"Brŕrrrrrrrrr!!".

so cold sleep in my nylon mackintosh over nightie.in house in day plastic mackintosh over full clothes.

Definitely NOT Pakamac weather today, for wearing, kissing, or WHATEVER!!