Pakamac

What can we say, Sue, but THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!

Does anyone remember the Poplin raincoats made by Pakamac Ltd, in the 50s and 60s?

How lovely that on 1st Dec 1951, the Daily Express advertised Pakamacs as the perfect Xmas gift for a man. With matching over-trousers, all for 30/- (i.e. £1.50)

Like Brian I too get emotional when I recall my teenage years when at weekends and holidays (for school I had to wear my regulation navy blue belted gabardine) I always wore my plastic Pakamac, all buttons fastened to the neck whether raining or not, I just so loved wearing it!. Luckily more recently I bought on e-bay a vintage but unworn Rainstar Raincoat in shiny black PVC that came in a carrying pouch depicting a smart gent in collar and tie and carrying a briefcase reminding me I too continued to wear my plastic pacamac into my twenties over my suit when I first started work as a young graduate. I still have this mack, and when i put it on the years roll back any tears of regret go away!

I get emotional over plastic macs and have even shed tears over them. Susan will know exactly what I mean.

Wow, Brian, a Pakamac convention. That would be amazing to see everyone out in genuine Pakamacs. I am almost always out in one of my nylon Pakamacs but rarely in a plastic one. Although I have quite a few genuine plastic Pakamacs, they are too precious for regular wear. To get everyone together in them would be brilliant.

I just bought a very rare black plastic mac, although not a Pakamac, a unique black plastic mac with 6 rubbery buttons. I reckon it’s from the 1950s and looks reasonably robust. It would be lovely to show it off to others who would appreciate it.

I've only just read the comments about the clips. These old newsreels are really interesting aren't they and there are quite a few with lovely old fashioned headlines like rainy weather and holiday washout, and everyone braving it all, to bring back a few memories.

It seems Brian has ordered enough plastic pants to replace his conventional underpants by plastic ones. I'm going the same way myself. Susan's use of the word panties to describe plastic pants is also addictive. I use it myself to describe the pink plastic panties I recently bought from Drylife and Suprima, the latter are snap fastening that now I'm getting old I find particularly convenient as you can put them on while lying on your back.

I love wearing plastic panties, Mr Doudy, when I’m wearing a plastic Pakamac. Like you say, in my case it is also because of necessity, due to my age. I’ve often worn them for fun, throughout my life, as well.

I agree with you both about that. I have been wearing plastic pants for about 20 years, partly from need, partly from pleasure and have occasionally worn them at the same time as my plastic pakamac. There is an extra pleasure in wearing them both at the same time.

They definitely are, Brian. I bet you look fantastic. I know it will feel wonderful.

Plastic macs and plastic pants go together, and I have just ordered 6 pairs of the latter. Good news to share with all of you

Wonderful clips McMac, a fantastic find. Evelyn looks wonderful in that unmistakable nylon mac.

Wonderful clips McMac, a fantastic find. Evelyn looks wonderful in that unmistakable nylon mac.

It seems to have gone a bit quiet on this Forum recently. So hopefully these clips will kick start things again:-
https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/618cf286e158480022e85e4e?q=contributors.fullName%3A%22Evelyn%20Elliot%22&size=45
The lady in question is called Evelyn Elliot and this lovely girl seems to like wearing her Pakamac because here she is again:-
https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/627e74e89cbc5500212eb830?q=contributors.fullName%3A%22Evelyn%20Elliot%22&size=60
I'm checking through other clips in the hope of finding more sightings of Evelyn.
I can only hope that she gets to report on some bad weather event that gives her Pakamac a full workout.

It seems to have gone a bit quiet on this Forum recently. So hopefully these clips will kick start things again:-
https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/618cf286e158480022e85e4e?q=contributors.fullName%3A%22Evelyn%20Elliot%22&size=45
The lady in question is called Evelyn Elliot and this lovely girl seems to like wearing her Pakamac because here she is again:-
https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/627e74e89cbc5500212eb830?q=contributors.fullName%3A%22Evelyn%20Elliot%22&size=60
I'm checking through other clips in the hope of finding more sightings of Evelyn.
I can only hope that she gets to report on some bad weather event that gives her Pakamac a full workout.

I agree completely with My Doudy, about the repair of press stud plastic macs, his preference for plastic macs with buttons and especially the rubbery buttons. I have a few plastic Pakamacs with rubbery buttons. I feel they are better for fastening through the plastic button holes, which sometimes are easily torn. However, mine are on plastic macs with more robust button holes. I adore how I look in these vintage black/grey plastic Pakamacs for men.

Further to my comments on the repair of plastic Pakamacs, my experience is that such repairs are most likely to be needed when the mac is of the type fastened by press studs. I have found that the bottom stud, especially of Pakamacs with 5 press studs, is prone to tearing out of the plastic and can be unrepairable. I prefer Pakamacs with buttons rather than press studs, especially the type with large rubbery buttons that I wore during my teen years in the 1950s and that lasted for years without any of the buttons tearing out of the plastic. Even the act of doing up such buttons, with their rubbery feel with a slight "give" as you buttoned up your mac was a pleasure in itself.

I use a soft plastic glue for really effective seam repairs. In my case, it’s a Wilkinson’s own brand. I would advise checking part of the particular plastic first, just in case there is a reaction other than just adhesion.

I use Bostik Glu&Fix clear, extra strong adhesive for soft plastics for this purpose. Back in my 1960s bedsitter days I often passed a pleasurable evening indoors repairing any tears in my plastic Pakamak with this or a similar product. I would always allow at least a day for the plastic to set properly before wearing it.

An essential accessory for the plastic mac lover: a tube of Locktite superglue. Say no more.

Like a recent contributor I too find the combination of a plastic mac and plastic pants most pleasurable to wear. A plastic pakamac wearer since the age of 11, now a pensioner in plastic pants, I find they work perfectly together to keep my trousers dry, both inside and out.

I’ve not posted for a while but have been checking in regularly. I have recently bought a genuine men’s Pakamac.
The raincoat appears to be virtually new, old stock.
I’ve been doing some “windy” photo shooting and thoroughly enjoying the experience. The Pakamac billows superbly and the skirt blows open easily. I’m amazed at how exposed they must have left their owners during bad weather, absolutely delicious in my opinion. The bottom button is well above the knee and so nylon over trousers are a must. Hats off to these mature women who wore them in anger. I totally love the feeling of vulnerability and that’s only me fighting against a powerful
indoor fan.
I’m thinking of photoshopping the results and uploading to a photo hosting site. Any recommendations.

I have put a bid on a long-desired item on e-bay, but I am still refraining from sweets and chocolate until Easter Sunday, and rainwear is still set at a minimum. Hope you are all OK, and are managing to cope with the world's problems!

I've given up rainwear for Lent. Waterproof activities are limited to making notes of sightings. But, Hugh, and everyone, I'll be back(as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say)!

No comments since December. What a terrible shame. I don't suppose I've helped much, with my recent absent from here. Hope you are all well, and continue to enjoy your mackintoshes, as I do, be the plastic or nylon.

My favourite subjects at school was anyone who wore black plastic Pakamacs, anyone who wore navy blue nylon macs or PVC macs. I loved going to school in my black plastic mac too.

Thank you for the bro about Pakamac raincoat. My father used to sell them as wholesaler in Milan back in the ‘60’s. I remember to finance my tour as a student beyond the iron courtain in early seventies with a lot of Pakamac raincoats left selling them to street people like bread!. Incredibly resistant product!

My favourite subjects at school was anyone who wore black plastic Pakamacs, anyone who wore navy blue nylon macs or PVC macs. I loved going to school in my black plastic mac too.

Susan, you are a star. We must talk over the phone soon. In the meantime, you have my mobile number, text any time you want. I have just purchased two more original boys plastic Pakamacs from e-bay.