Pakamac

Gareth - My pleasure. I need to find an alternative supplier though, I like to keep one in reserve in case of damage or loss. My son would prefer something more modern, but he needs something smart and traditional in my opinion. I'm told by my sister that there's an outfitters in Shrewsbury that sells them, so I may take my son there when I visit her soon

Hello Anna thank you for the info I have been and bought one a long time ago from there the shop on Duke St you mean is it I had forgotten all about it I do not come down to the capital very much the army and navy stores used to sell them too but they seem to have gone a bit to hot for macs this week the mac from Calders was grey in coulor I supose they have gone as well thanks for your help

Hello Gareth

I got the mac in an outfitters in Cardiff called Calders, but I was in there the other day, and they seem to be having a little bit of a clearance sale, and wasnt able to see any. I asked whether they had any so I could reply to your post, but the shop assistant didnt think so, saying they didnt have much demand for them anymore.

Previously, I got one in Millets, but this too is no longer an option looking around the shop there.

Sorry if this isnt much help

Anna

Anna your son sounds very smart in his mac i need a new one can you tell me where you purchased it and do you recomend them I could do with your advice.

Hello Anna you are amazing getting your son to wear a mac he sounds a fine young man maybe you could use your skill to get more women in the UK to wear a pac a mac.

Hello Gareth

No new mac, no. But he still wears the one I got him earlier this year. Navy blue, below knee length

Anna have you got your son a new nylon mac for winter.

Brian your comments are great I bet you could write a book on pac a macs If you ever do I would love to read it.

Alpha, "good on yer" for mentioning Chadderton, Oldham, the true home of the British Pakamac! Another stimulus for my schoolday waterproof experiences to come "flooding" back(forgive the pun!) As I have mentioned before, schooldays were both Pakamac days and formative days-where my waterproof madness started.
I remember Hazel, the blonde bombshell of our 1962/3 fifth form. She owned a grey-black semi-transparent plastic Pakamac, which I spotted folded up on top of her domestic science basket. But-TARNATION!!-I ever actually saw her wearing it!! Probably just as well, though, as I may not have been able to "hold back"! The apposite words for Hazel were "corrrrr!!!" and "WOW!!!"-even Pamela Anderson had nothing on Hazel(although I would love to see Pamela mackintoshed.)
But, on a much gentler note, there was Joy, who joined our third form, when I was in the fifth form. She lost no time at all in displaying HER grey-black see-through plastic Pakamac whenever it was raining, and it certainly made lunchtimes more interesting, as she walked home in the same direction as myself! But, believe it or not, I met Joy again, a few years ago, in a completely different context-and, apart from middle-aged weight increase, she had hardly changed at all. In particular, that long sweep of the hair was still there. We spoke, and I was almost tempted to ask if she still had her plastic mac, or what she had done with it. Joy had married, and so we couldn't take things further, but it has led me to think that it should be possible to harmonise a romantic attachment with a waterproof one.
Susan and I have been sharing some wonderful correspondence, with this in mind, and, Susan, I am almost ready to e-mail my latest message. Susan writes beautifully, vividly and excitingly, and has a tremendous knowledge and experience of the Pakamac scene as it has evolved over the years.
I have had some wonderful rainwear sightings over the last few days, with all wearers being older women. Outside our local Sainsbury's, was a navy blue nylon mac, hood up, with a slightly gathered smock-like effect at the back. But, an even more exciting sight awaited me as I went in-a nylon mac, light sage green in colour, normal Pakamac length, slightly see-through, and, as if this were not enough, a pair of olive green rubber boots too. Susan and I have been discussing purchasing rubber macs, and Weathervain do a heavy latex rubber mac, in this olive-green colour.
And, also in Sainsbury's, one of the staff was sporting a hip-length navy nylon jacket with black quilted lining, obviously an occupational garment.
The Pakamac, and simliar garments, are not dead, and whenever they appear on e-bay, it is encouraging to see healthy bidding, and an even more healthy interest and enthusiasm.
I'd better go now! Till next time...

Further on the New York/London link regarding nylon. I've heard this before and also heard that it is disputed. Have a look at the Etymology paragraph on the Wikipedia entry for Nylon.

It's lovely to read the contribution from Alpha and I for one am looking forward to the next entry. Tell all Alpha.

I remember those shop stickers even in the 80s, one in particular in the window of an exclusive ladies outfitters that catered for the more discerning lady. I think that says something about the popularity of the Pakamac even then!

Only just found this site, very interesting reading, I like many of you have been a staunch lover of pakamacs since a very early age,Whilst at High School in the late 50s I just loved rainy days and used to get sent out of class on purpose so I could head straight for the cloakrooms a as soon as I entered the aroma of wet plastic macs hit me,
Coming from a poor family I never had one but I got great pleasure from seeing others and having contact with there macs. Also seeing the girls the other end of the school leaving on a rainy day, Like many of you I thought I was alone with this strange feeling.
But once I started work I soon owned several macs of my own, I can even now remember the stickers in shop windows
STOCKIST OF PAKAMAC THE GENUINE PLASTIC RAINCOAT, (D`ont take a chance take a PAKAMAC!!) I soon built up a collectiion of my own. Then around the middle to late 60s Pakamac then based at Chadderton in Lancashire started to produce lots of different types of mac ie: the sportsman which was a beige mac with a printed inside the pvc was a tartan pattern, they were a little more expensive but nice to wear, Then came the introduction of Nylon derived from
New York/ LONdon, i was never a great lover of nylon and still love the smell and feel of vinyl macs, I could go on for ever telling stories of my life with plastic but await any welcome feedback.

David get to the back of the queue my name is down first.

Wish i could meet the mature lady that loves mackintoshes
I am 68 live bedford england loves rainwear all my life both wearing and seeing ladies in.

I think the marks and spencer nylon macs had plastic buttons Brian do you have a warehouse to keep all your macs by the way Brian you nerver did tell us about Isobel.

I too have heard about M&S selling nylon macs but I don't remember them. They must have done so because absolutely every department store sold them. If my memory serves me well, the likes of BHS and the COOP sold them under their own label whereas lots of others sold the genuine Pakamac, especially the small local stores. C&A of course was a fabulous source but always a different style. Call me old fashioned, but I generally preferred the traditional style of nylon and plastic mac, so the C&A continental style macs didn't always appeal to me. The 'own label' nylon macs elsewhere used to be slightly different too, in some way, from the Pakamac or Rainstar style of nylon mac and again, for me, weren't quite as appealing. I liked the House of Fraser for their range of nylon macs, lots of styles that appealed to me in a large range of colours.

As I look back, what I find incredible, is that they appealed to ladies of all ages whether they were well off or not. For me, I still love to wear an expensive skirt suit under a nylon mac. I love the look. Of course they were cheap enough to be a staple for the less well off or as rain protection for a precious wool coat. Again, a look I still love.

Even as they started to disappear from regular sight, I loved to visit and buy from the shops that continued to stock Rainstar nylon macs, the likes of John Lewis, Joplings and a number of ladies clothes shops well into the nineties and even early 2000's. Rainstar nylon macs became my favourite, so I loved it that I knew exactly where to go for the macs I loved, even when Rainstar seemed to morph into YB Wet.

Although I do not personally remember Marks and Spencers retailing nylon macs, John Paul referred to them in an e-mail he once posted to me, so perhaps he can shed some light on these.
Admirer of M&S though I am(I think their prepacked sandwiches are delicious!), I have always found them slightly disappointing when it comes to interesting rainwear. However in the mid 1980s, there was a range of plastic macs which was very appealing. Generously oversized, the basic colurs were emerald green, deep pink, black and deep metallic blue-in fact, the other colours were slightly metallic too. They had a faint all-over star-like pattern, which added to the appeal. The blue was especially attractive, and I remember seeing a girl wearing one and going into the former "American Food Factory"(YUK!!!) in New Street, Birmingham. Her taste in rainwear was exquisite, which is more than can be said for her choice of eating venue!! These macs do occasionally turn up on e-bay and it is worth keeping an eye open for them.
More recently, M&S sold a quilted mac, beige outer shell with a beautifully delicate pink-orange sheen-possibly one of their "Per Una" styles. Not really a Pakamac type item, but it does deserve a mention here. I saw a lady wearing one, in her seventies perhaps, and she looked ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, a reminder that attractive rainwear is for everyone, male or female, any age.
And, Gareth, I have read about your dating girls in nylon macs-YOU LUCKY SO-AND-SO!!! And, yes, like you, I wish we could go back in time, to those irreplaceable items of the fities and sixties, but holding on to the waterproof experiences we have accumulated over the intervening years(if that makes sense!)

Does anybody rember the nylon macs Marks and Spencers used to sell once.

In a website like this, one must occasionally be allowed a post that "shocks" everyone(in the nicest possible way, of course!), so here is mine: To date I have 795 macs, waterproofs etc, of various types, filling my wardrobes and cupboards. Can anyone exceed this number? Well, I know Susie Boult, of Plastique Unique, can as she claims to have 1500 items. As long as my accumulation is less than her's I don't feel as "guilty"!
The point is that, as well as being a rainwear enthusiast, I am one of those people that has to go for everything in a really big way(and that goes for my other interests too!) But, then again, one has to be allowed at least one mad interest in our lives-the ability to go 99% insane, as a safeguard against going "the whole hog". Agreed?

Another assemblage of interesting comments, and I am particularly interested in the comments as to when nylon macs first appeared on the streets.
But before anything, can I recommend the Stay Dry nylon macs yet again, comfortable, relaxing, exciting, beautifully rustly(the mac swishes at your every move!), and light as a feather. They are beautifully ventilated and incredibly breathable, lovely to wear indoors or out. They swish and fill with air, which ventilates the mac even more. When I wear one, I just don't want to take it off(I am wearing one now), and they bring back wonderful memories of nylon macs I have seen in the past. I have no fewer than 25 of these beautiful macs already and I know I will be buying more. I simply love them. They are lovely, incredibly lovely, macs. When I am out, I can wear one of these macs for the whole afternoon without overheating, which would be impossible with any of my plastic macs. I remember Gore-Tex were very proud of the high transpiration rate of their waterproofs. Well, I would imagine that Stay Dry nylon macs and capes exceed even those in that respect.
Their semi-transparent plastic macs are lovely too, and, again, are so comfortable to wear. For me, in so many ways, Stay Dry are the true successor to Pakamac-practical, inexpensive and, again, lovely to wear. I just cannot praise them enough. And what sensible trade names Pakamac and Stay Dry are-smart, concise and yet telling you all you want to know. And, while I am thinking about it, full marks to everyone here for spelling P-A-K-A-M-A-C correctly, unlike some of the weird versions on e-bay! This is a real connoisseur's website with some wonderfully interesting and exciting contributors.
The first nylon macs that I remember seeing on the streets were in 1965, but, as Gareth says, they had been around for a couple of years previously. I can recall a Pakamac advert in 1962 which listed both plastic Pakamacs and Bri-Nylon(as it was called then)Pakamacs.
I remember seeing a girl, in 1965, wearing a fairly short, unbelted nylon mac in light blue, fairly tight-fitting, allowing one to see the mac pulsating with her every move. And, later on in the same year, at a university interview, a group of us were taken round the Nottingham University campus, and one of the girls, beautifully dressed in a light blue 2-piece jacket and skirt, was carrying a handbag, and a rolled up nylon mackintosh. Her mac was brown with a hint of grey, recalling the colour of the later plastic Pakamacs. and also appeared to be almost see-through. I wished it would rain so I could see her wearing it but no such luck!! Why does it never rain when you want it to?!
Talking about university and college interviews, and student days in general, why doesn't one of them offer a degree course in "rainwear", with a Ph D follow up? I imagine there would be several likely candidates from our regulars on this site!
This brown/grey colour was very fetching, rivalling navy blue. I recall Norma, a secretary at one of my career-realated interviews. Before I saw her mackintoshed she was a beautifully attractive young lady. When I saw her in her brown-grey nylon mac, she was a VIBRANT SEX BOMB(!!!,with the wind filling and inflating her mac beautifully.
The first schoolgirl I saw, wearing a navy blue nylon mac, was in the summer of the next year, 1966. She was about 12 or 13, and her mac was always neatly buttoned and beautifully smart, conforming to the ideals of our good friend Anna!
At the school I attended, girl’s nylon macs made their first appearance in 1967, mostly in navy, although I can recall a particularly fetching one in sage green. At first, these macs were somewhat sparse, and didn't really start taking off until 1968. By that time, I was in my student period, and this merits a further contribution, which I have yet to compile. However, I feel I must post this now as I have not contributed to this site for some time. Hope you enjoy this, and that it sparks off more feedback!! To be continued........

Susan

I think you are right that the rainbonnet is getting scarcer and scarcer. I do remember my Aunt having the nylon covered rainbonnet, think it was a blue colour. I do love the 50/60 raincoats also. I have a semi clear Almar raincoat with matching rain scarf,think its late 60/70's era. I did notice that Plastique unique sell a 50's type of raincoat, dont think it has a matchimg rainbonnet. These macs are also getting harder and harder to find, good for you that you still have a couple in your collection. Like you I do also favour the polkadot rainbonnet also. Love the retro look.

Scotty

I have lots of rain bonnets. That includes different folding ones and accordian style ones. If I find different styles or labels, I like to buy a few, some for wearing and some to be kept pristine in their packaging, for the time when they disappear as I'm sure they ultimately will.

As to my favourites, it would have to be polka dot ones, whatever the colour to match my mac. The polka dot ones on coloured plastic might just be my favourite. I also have some that feel a very old fashioned/mature lady style, in plastic with a nylon net lining.

I particularly love the older macs though when they came with a matching rain bonnet. I still have a few of those and I love them. Very 1950s/60s.

Hi Susan

Thats great that you prefer to wear the retro look fold up accordian rain bonnet or rainmate as I remember them. I have a couple that I collected, however, I dont wear them myself as prefer to see females wearing them. Think they are really nice and practical. My favourite is a small semi transparent fold up polkadot pattern one in black, have a few plain ones also. have you got many in your collection and one that you like to wear.

Anna I hope your son gets good grades today may be you will buy him a new pac a mac if he does.

Hi Susie

Sorry I can"t help you with when the plastic mac first came onto the scene but whoever decided that a thing like plastic could be used in the manufacturing of a mac

Well I dare there are a lot of people over the years have said THANK YOU

Not only the practical side of it...a fold up mac that can be carried on every journey but for those that wearing a plastic mac has other reasons

My first memories...1952...the year I started school....kitted out with the first school gaberdine mac for the winter and a plastic mac from Woolworths for the Summer showers and we always took them with us on our holidays....a week away in a caravan...but saying that we all looked forward to that week or if we were very lucky two weeks away from home

Plastic macs for me had another meaning and my introduction of my attraction to macs designed for the fairer sex....

The fairer sex...we don"t see ladies labelled as the "fairer sex" anymore

And now nearly sixty years on that attraction too macs...not only plastic grows stronger and this includes those macs designed for ladies

I keep thinking I have so many macs...not going too buy another one but then I look on sites like ebay....I see a mac...reasonably priced and temptation gets the better of me

I bid for it...I suppose it is the thrill/buzz one gets when they try on a new mac

As regards wearing ladies macs outside....I have done it with a dark blue hooded nylon mac as the colour does not draw attention...it buttons the ladies way but how many people...with their busy lifestyle are going too notice that

Heavy rain expected here in the South East later on...looks like a day for mac wearing....My kind of day!!!!!!!!!!!

Pamela and Shona Its good to hear you friends again.

Does anyone know when plastic macs first made an appearance? The 'lakelandelements' film list dates one of the earliest appearances in the cinema as being in a 1929 film. I would assume that people were wearing them a little earlier than that but perhaps not much earlier.

It was interesting what Peter and Gareth said about nylon macs and when they started to appear. I think my memories of seeing other people in macs, whether nylon or plastic, are from 1965 onwards as I headed towards my teens. At some point I remember seeing a broadcast of 'All Our Yesterdays' with Brian Inglis with an article on fashion towards the end of WWII. It particularly looked at materials that were developed as part of the war effort and showed a lady in a foldaway nylon mac.

Yes Scotty, I do wear folding plastic rain bonnets. I love them and they are still relatively easy to find in chemists.

Hi Susan

Noticed your comments regarding mac, rainbonnet and boots, sounds very stylish and retro. Do you wear the fold up rainbonnets, all the girls during highschool used to wear them, alas they seem not to be used. I gave a folding bonnet to a girlfriend who said she would use it, hope she does as she may restart a new trend

1963 was a good year for nylon macs all the girls seemed to have one I dated many them and took them to the cinema for about three hours of necking in the back seats anybody got a time machine I could loan .