THIS IS HOW YOU CONQUER THE RAIN
Fashion-wise
The calendar stubbornly insists that it is August 21, but anyone looking outside knows better. It is autumn. Damn. I have quite a passionate dislike for autumn. Especially for us Dutch, it's quite an insurmountable problem because as long as we keep doing everything by bike, arriving dry at our destination is still out of the question. We gathered here at the Amazyine headquarters to come up with a plan to outsmart the rain. Here we go.
Garbage bag fashion
People always say that you should buy a raincoat. But not only is such a thing inhumanly ugly, I also find it a hassle because once you arrive at your destination, you first have to take that thing off and then dump that wet piece of plastic somewhere without causing enormous water damage, and I find that all too much hassle. So skip that raincoat. Those who couldn't care less will find a lot of fun in two garbage bags. You cut one open at the closed short side and wear it like a skirt. From the other, you cut a t-shirt, so a hole at the short closed side for your head and two on either side for your arms. Then you put on both bags and there you have it, your own free raincoat. And if you're wondering, yes, I have actually gone out like this. Often even.
Bare legs
But those who say no to plastic in any form must come up with something else. The most annoying thing is wet pants because they stay wet all day and that's no fun for anyone. With temperatures like these (reasonably mild), I also advise choosing a skirt. Bare legs dry quickly and well, it's a bit wet and cold on the bike, but once you're indoors, you won't notice it anymore.
Tights
Bare legs a bit too cold? Then wear tights. They dry faster than a stiff pair of jeans anyway. In general, jeans are the least suitable clothing item right now. Opt for thin fabrics that fall loosely and therefore dry more easily.
Changing trick
I sometimes choose to wear an old pair of jeans for the bike ride when it starts to rain while I'm heading to the office and take the pants I want to wear in a plastic bag. Once at the office, I change, and voila, nothing to see anymore.
Parka
As for your jacket, a long parka is perfect for this weather. Leather jackets are nice and warm, but if they have to endure too much rain, it won't be good for the leather. A denim jacket can be an option, but you'd better get that parka.
Layers
You will probably be bombarded with it by now, but I’ll say it again: layers. Not only because it keeps you warmer but especially because you can take off the top layer when you're soaked.
Choose your fabric
When you're wet, you get cold faster because water amplifies the effect of the temperature. Wool and polyester work moisture-regulating and are good against the cold. Silk doesn't do much for you when you're cold, but when it's as muggy as it is now, it's ideal because it's strongly moisture-regulating. You'd better leave cotton in the closet because wet cotton lowers your body temperature.
Uber
Do you have an important appointment where you really can't walk in looking like a drowned rat? Order an Uber. Especially now that they have launched Uberpop (a cheaper variant of the regular Uber) it's often quite doable. And well, it's of course totally cheating, but shh, don't tell anyone.
Druppel
Or, make sure you just don't go outside when it rains. Install the app ‘Druppel’, which tells you exactly how long it will rain.
