life and styie Rainwear Style Guide What to buy to keep you dry By Stephanie Trembath, Life & Style Editor hen shopping for rain gear in Vancouver, it’s important to remember that the jacket you purchase is what you are going to be wearing for the next nine months. Or more. So investing in a raincoat that is going to last a long time, while keeping you warm and dry, is an absolute must. And while you’re spending so much money, you might as well buy a jacket that fits you well and looks good, right? Exactly. When purchasing a good rain jacket there are a few key points to look out for to ensure you are getting the most for your money. First off, make sure your rain gear is waterproof, not water-resistant! Read the label for the word “waterproof,” as some fabrics are only water-resistant, which will result in greater wear-and-tear and eventually your rain jacket will no longer be functional. Laminated fabric, like Gore-Tex, will keep water out and allow your body to breathe; however, it is pricier than cheaper quality materials like rubberized cotton fabrics. Secondly, make sure that your raincoat has all the bells and whistles you’re paying for; meaning, ensure it is the right length style that falls to the knee). The Mackage (do you want a longer or shorter jacket?), line isn’t the typical rain gear you would and check to see if there is a large enough choose to stay warm as the material is hood for sweaters to fit under for when it quite thin, but if you throw on a sweater gets cold. Check for other small features § \. underneath during the fall and winter, like sealed zippers, extra pockets, and this trendy piece is perfect for spring and vents for better breathability. Once you summer months too. Right now on the have figured out what your raincoat’s Neiman Marcus website, the Mackage purpose is (like whether or not you want a Packable jackets are on sale from $230 longer jacket to cover-up dresses, without down to $103. a hood, and large pockets for keys and If you want a jacket that is better cellphone), then you can begin deciding suited for colder weather, and possibly how fashionable you want your raingear to want something that is more functional than “Laminated fabric, like Gore-Tex, will keep water out and allow your body to breathe; however, it is pricier than cheaper quality materials like rubberized cotton fabrics.” be. Opting for darker colors means more fashionable, Arc’teryx makes great outdoor versatility, while bright neon’s are more fun. _rain apparel for both men and women. A solid investment worth advancing Located in North Vancouver, the Arc’teryx your allowance on is the Neiman Marcus factory store offers 40-60 per cent off all , Mackage Packables raincoat that folds up merchandise. While jackets start at roughly into a purse. Totally stylish, warm, and $700, with such great sales prices, a quality varying in colors and length, this is one jacket can be found starting at $300; it raincoat that is sure to insure that you stay really depends on how much you are willing stylish and dry. Featured in the Mackage to spend. Other quality brands, that are Packables line, is the Pearl (a shorter hip- much more affordable, include Eddie Bauer, length jacket) and the Reece (a trench coat Frogg Toggs, MEC, and Helly Hansen. My Sister’s Closet; Yaletown boutique promotes sustainability and strengthens community By Stephanie Trembath, Life & Style Editor henever I decide to go to Yaletown, I usually plan on spending $3.57 —just enough for a Starbucks Grande White-Mocha Americano to assist me through an afternoon of eyeing clothes I cannot afford. Yaletown is the best place to window shop for interesting ideas and funky clothes, so if you have the time and money I recommend taking an afternoon is a wide variety of clothes, jewelry, store. lingerie, and shoes—all HST free—in With a second location on addition to a collection of second-hand Commercial Drive, the company vintage pieces for ridiculously low prices. aims to create a successful business Mariana Garcia, who is in charge of the where women have a safe place in the Retail Program, seeks out local artists community to work and learn from. My from Vancouver’s downtown Eastside Sister’s Closet is not only an outlet for to help support low-income designers in shopping, but brings Vancouver residents selling handmade jewellery and clothes. together to help stop violence against My curiosity piqued at the super women. The store’s Commercial location low prices and urban vintage clothing opened in 1990, while the Yaletown items, so I felt I had to investigate and location opened in 2004. Yaletown was ask a few questions as this store offers selected as a perfect location as a result lower prices than any other boutique in of the ongoing sex trade occurring in the Yaletown. What I discovered was that area. “My Sister’s Closet is not only an outlet for shopping, but brings Vancouver residents together to help stop violence against women.” to check out the trendy stores in this My Sister’s Closet is an active network The interior is simple and clean, upscale part of Vancouver’s downtown of volunteers who work to sustain and and the staff are incredibly friendly, and core. One such Yaletown jewel to visit keep the store open, as well as to train while I didn’t purchase anything this is a trendy and unique-concept boutique low-income individuals to create jewelry time (I’m still on my clothing cleanse!), that opened last spring: My Sister’s and clothing. Funded and supported by I recommend My Sister’s Closet to check Closet. Battered Women’s Support Services out on a rainy afternoon this fall. The Located just off Seymour Street, (BWSS), the store is actually a means stores pricing isn’t as quite as good as close to a Starbucks and down from the to connect to the community and help Value Village, but knowing that your Bank of Montreal, My Sister’s Closet battered women escape unreasonable money is going into sustaining a healthier sells clothes for both men and women, circumstances. My Sister’s Closet community and working to support and offers high-quality clothing for provides clothing, money, and a healthy stopping violence against women in surprisingly affordable prices. With local means of support to these women; in Vancouver is definitely worth splurging designers from all over Vancouver, there —_ return, they work to help sustain the for a new dress!