When The Rain Comes...
British fashion in the 1960s became world reknowned for many things - the mini skirt, the mod suit, Beatle boots... and plastic macs. PVC rainwear had been around since the 1940s, developed as a cheap and light alternative to heavy raincoats, but it wasn't until the 1960s that it really took off in a fashion sense. This season Madcap England bring the 'wet look' back with a range of sixties inspired, made in England, women's PVC raincoats, available in sizes UK 8 - 20.
The History of The Plastic Mac
Polyvinyl Chloride - or PVC - was first developed as a material in the 19th century. Its use as a clothing material dates back to the 1930s and USA when PVC and cellophane provided cheap, water resistant and protective rainwear during the Depression and War eras, but it wasn't until Britain in the 1960s that PVC, also sometimes called vinyl, entered fashion.
Mary Quant is a designer who will need no introduction for sixties fans. She revolutionised women's fashion in ways that had never been explored before. In the early 60s PVC caught Quant's imagination who loved the futuristic 'Space Age' look and feel the material offered. She said it “bewitched” her.”...this super shiny man-made stuff and its shrieking colours… its gleaming liquorice black, white and ginger.” (Quant by Quant, 1966) In April 1963 Quant launched her first 'Wet Look' PVC rainwear collection, entirely composed of PVC garments. The press went wild for it, leading to her first ever cover for British Vogue magazine with an image of a postbox red PVC raincoat.
One recipient of this early Quant collection was Cynthia Lennon, wife of John Lennon, who was photographed and filmed during the Beatles first visit to the USA in February 1964 wearing Mary Quant’s ‘Christopher Robin’ PVC smock in ‘putty’, a light brown-beige colour. One of the signature pieces of the ‘Wet Look’ collection the ‘Christopher Robin’ rainsmock was a shorter version of Quant’s full length PVC raincoat, featuring Quant’s signature fold down Peter Pan style collar, patch pockets to the front and an 8 button fasten on the reverse.
Many fashion buyers immediately placed orders for Quant’s ‘Wet Look’ range, but technical issues plagued the production, keeping it away from the high street. The nature of the material meant that it was perforated by the sewing machine needles and tore, or melted and stuck to the sewing machine foot. These problems were only resolved in 1965 when Quant collaborated with Alligator, a British rainwear company. This partnership meant that a range of Mary Quant PVC rainwear became available commercially and also lead the production of the iconic Mary Quant PVC boots with the Quant Daisy logo on the soles. For many years, Alligator had made traditional rainwear in traditional colours - black, brown and beige - but with Mary Quant new materials (nylon quickly following PVC) and bright, bold colour choices gave a new lease of life to Alligator as a brand and brought it to the fashion forefront, with adverts announcing ‘Since when did raincoats go wild? Since Mary Quant designed for Alligator!’
Madcap England 60s Style Raincoats
Madcap England’s 1960s inspired raincoats are available in 2 styles. Inspired by the original Quant sixties rainwear, these lightweight PVC raincoats are limited editions, available in a 1960s colour palette and made in England in one of the few - if not only - factories in Europe still able to make this sort of retro garment. Available in sizes to fit UK 8 up to UK 20, these are traditionally made PVC jackets - a proper ‘plastic mac’. They’re very light, making them ideal for festival wear, spring showers or for rainy summer days.
The Jackie Raincoat
Jackie is Madcap England’s classic 60s plastic mac raincoat. Made from wet look ‘shiny PVC’, the Jackie raincoat is ¾ length, with a retro oversized collar, 5 large retro buttons fasten and 2 side pockets. The jacket can be worn buttoned up to the collar or with a fold-down lapel look. Jackie is unlined, button front fasten and available in black, white, red, blue and limited edition seasonal colours.
The Robin Raincoat
The Robin PVC jacket is a 60s mod inspired plastic raincoat with contrasting pockets, collar, buttons and cuff tabs. Made from ‘shiny PVC’ for that essential wet look, the Robin raincoat and available in red/white, blue/white, black/white and white/black. Robin is thigh length, unlined, button fasten on the front and with 2 large patch pockets.
Madcap England 60s Raincoats: FAQ
What steps are you taking to reduce any impact on the environment?
All of the PVC used in the Madcap England plastic mac range is fully recyclable. Moreover, any cut-offs or scrap material is sent, by law, to an official recycling facility where it is then used to make other consumer goods. This means there is very minimal wastage (if any!) in the making of these fab raincoats. Everything is used.
Are the raincoats manufactured in the UK?
Yes, all of the Madcap England 60s raincoats are handmade in the UK in one of the last remaining factories which can make this type of garment.
Is it safe to wear PVC next to skin?
The PVC used in the Madcap England 60s raincoats is manufactured to very strict European legislation and is safe to be worn next to the skin. However, PVC is not a breathable material and if you wear it for extended periods of time your skin will not be able to breathe so please bear this in mind and give your skin a ‘breather’ every so often! If you have any allergies or sensitivities to this sort of material, it is not recommended you wear PVC coats.
I’ve ordered previously and I noticed that a garment made from a material last year is not the same as before?
When PVC is produced it is a unique batch every time, and as such the PVC can look or feel slightly different. We cannot guarantee the PVC will always be exactly the same as in previous runs.
How do I care for my raincoat?
If your raincoat gets wet, please ensure you dry it off when possible, especially round the poppers to prevent them from rusting. The raincoats are not machine washable. If yours gets dirty, you can wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Ensure the jacket is not left wet. And definitely don’t try to iron it - it will melt!