Rain Rain Go Away

Come again another day.

We should know a thing or two about rain, living up here in The Lakes. Borrowdale Valley, home to MD's cave and of course Millican HQ, is the wettest in England. What a claim to fame.

Rain is often referred to as miserable, accompanied with a level of negativity.

Well, not any more. Things are looking brighter with the advent of intelligent clothing from innovative companies such as Raincatch.

Raincatch, is a multi-purpose poncho that funnels precipitation through its collar, filters it through a charcoal and chemical purifying system, and then stores the water near the hips where it's least obtrusive and most figure flattering.

They're obviously not familiar with the saying 'a moment on the lips, a month on the hips'....

Raincatch - Photo courtesy of Crunch wear

Designed by two students from the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design, the poncho's transparent tubing displays the process, while the water reserve remains hidden. With clean water concerns at an all time high, has the poncho arrived at just the right time?

The Raincatch would be perfect for polluted areas of the world where drinking water may not always be the best life choice. The design is still very much in the primitive stages, so you may struggle if you want one in time for Christmas.

Continuing on the raincoat theme, I introduce to you the Spud Raincoat. Or preferably, Spud the Raincoat.

Wear it. Plant it. Then eat it. 

Yes it's true, when you have finished with the spud coat, plant it and it will grow into tomatoes or cucumbers. 

Spud Raincoat - Photo courtesy of Spudcoat

As we are becoming increasingly aware of our plastic consumption, alternative materials such as Equilicua's Spud Raincoat, aka 'The Fantastic Plastic' are welcomed. This productive garment is made from a potato starch laced with the seeds of various flora. The embedded seeds will upgrade even the most barren ground with a pastoral assortment of shrubs and small plants. 

Last but by by no means least is the Tyvek Raincoat from Wrk-Shp. It could well be described as green fashion at its purist, well that's how I see it. Clothing embedded with actual living plants. You can often spot Nicky at the garden centre with Mark the Field Bag, does this count? 

Tyvek Raincoat - Photo courtesy of Wrk-Shp 

The wheat grass-speckled coat, made from highly breathable Tyvek, grows with every drizzle it absorbs. I'm not sure how it would be received on Keswick High Street, but never the less you have to admire the innovation. 

Thanks to Trendcentral for bringing the above to my attention.