Ladies Waterproof Jacket | Latest Fashion Waterproof Jackets for Ladies

The original Macintosh rain jacket was created when Scottish Chemist Charles Macintosh patented a waterproof fabric in 1823 and his name became synonymous with the rain jacket ever since. The original design was fairly basic in design and awkward in appearance. The "India Rubber Cloth" designed by Charles Macintosh, consisted of 2 layers of cotton cemented with a layer of rubber. It was not originally intended as waterproof clothing or for outwear at all, but was instead originally developed to waterproof tarpaulin.

The Mackintosh concept was mirrored by other tailors, despite the fact that problems arose because the needle holes greatly reduced the materials ability to protect against the rain. Macintosh eventually developed a process to seal the seams, and his name became synonymous with waterproof rainwear. Even as late as 1900 almost any ladies waterproof jacket was referred to as a Mackintosh.

In the first decade of the 20th Century many rain Jacket were still being made of rubber, and were the Jacket long enough to reach the ankles and were made in either single or double breasted styles. Charles Macintosh's tartan lined rubber cloth with fully sealed seams remains the iconic ladies waterproof jacket.

World War 1

The biggest development in waterproof rainwear came with the need to provide an all weather jacket to the officers serving in the trenches in World War 1. The London firm of Burberry owned the patent to a fabric of fine cotton gabardine that had been chemically processed to repel rain in order to protect shepherds and farm workers in wind swept rural England. Although the Burberry cloth jacket had been used by some officers in the Boer War (1899 - 1902), it was not until 1914 that the brand would receive the approval of the British War Ministry. Thomas Burberry devised the weatherproof jacket for the officers in the trenches made of a fine-twilled cotton gabardine that was put through a chemical process to repel water while also allowing the fabric to breathe. The "Trench Jacket" was not totally waterproof, but was effectively water resistant under most weather conditions and the raglan sleeves, which allow for ease of movement as well as the gabardine fabric used, became the norm for waterproof Jacket of later years.

More than 500,000 Burberry Jackets were produced for the war effort, and these "Trench Jacket" very quickly became the official jacket of Allied fighting men. Characterised by its shoulder tabs, a collar with storm flap, and D shaped rings on the belt (to which pieces of military kit, such as water bottles or hand grenades could be attached) the trench jacket produced by Burberry as well as by the London firm Aquascutum - each design featured it's company's distinctive house-check lining.

Hundreds and thousands of Trench Jacket style waterproof Jackets have been sold in the early 21st Century. Modern versions of the Trench Jacket in different styles and colours have more recently graced the catwalks of Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Chloe, Moschino etc. In 2004, the original trench jacket was still an Aquascutum or Burberry staple item, one that just seems to epitomise British style for many American and Japanese consumers. Consequently, the waterproof jacket has been extremely successful both as a piece of military attire as well as a stylish, practical and iconic piece of clothing.

Post World War 1

By 1928 the waterproof rainwear of choice had become the French aviation jacket. The French aviation jacket was most frequently double breasted with raglan sleeves, and was often cut in gabardine lined with oiled silk and lined with plaid wool to ensure the jacket was both warm and dry. Like the trench jacket, the aviation Jacket also had belted waists as well as straps of gabardine at the ends of the sleeves and would eventually become known as the all-weather jacket.

During the 1930's there was a trend towards a wider skirted, looser hanging style of jacket. This was excellent for keeping rain away from the body, taking into account that the gabardine from which it was constructed was only water-repellent rather that waterproof. Oiled silk and cotton rain Jacket and rubber ponchos also began to make an appearance at the time.

Not a great deal has changed in rainwear fashions apart from colour trends and changes in the typical length of the rain jacket, until the 1953 introduction of a rain jacket made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester. The London Fog, as this jacket would become known, was the first on the market that was both water-repellent and washable. It was originally brought out as a single breasted raglan and a double breasted Trench Jacket, with a third style (a single breasted belted trench jacket with zippered sleeve pocket) added later.

The Peacock Revolution, born in Carnaby Street in the 1960's saw many women's wear designers cross over to the menswear realm and inevitable their influence was noticed in waterproof rainwear. The Sherlock Holmes rain jacket with cape made a re-appearance as did houndstooth raglan Jacket. With the fashion for highly shaped suits, rain Jacket with wide Napoleon collars and flared lines soon appeared. At this time, and during the 1970's the rain jacket graduated from being a solely functional item to fashion "must have", something that has continued up until today.

Basic styles have changed little since World War 2. Garments for both men and women started being offered in a wide range of colours, in contrast to the older tans and greys that once were the only colours available. Advances in fibre technology, including surface treatments of fabrics have made modern waterproof Jacket much more water-repellent than ever before. The waterproof jacket remains as popular form of protection from the rain as it was when it was first conceived.

Ladies Waterproof Jackets can be very subtle and beautiful and don't have to be outrageous in design or colour. They come in an extremely wide range of fashions, designs, styles and colours, and you are only limited by your imagination. The designs are very simple and yet completely elegant, and look spectacular