Keeping suit trousers dry when it rains

[wiggy001]

Since January I've been working in London and my journey to work involves a 20 minute walk to the station, and a 20 minute walk from Blackfriars to the office. If it's peeing it down I can use alternative trains and the tube, but I have no other option than to walk to my station. And when it rains in means the suit trousers take a soaking and invariably then need a visit to the dry cleaners. And that is with a large umbrella.

So what do people do to keep their suits dry in those circumstances? The only people I see with over-trousers tend to cycle in, and it's not a look I want walking through the city.

Has anyone tried any of those water-repellent sprays? I think I saw one on Dragon's Den a while ago where the guy poured red wine over his treated suit and there wasn't a mark left on it! Do they actually work?

Any thoughts to my first world problem in advance of the inevitable wet autumn?

[So]

wiggy001 said:

Since January I've been working in London and my journey to work involves a 20 minute walk to the station, and a 20 minute walk from Blackfriars to the office. If it's peeing it down I can use alternative trains and the tube, but I have no other option than to walk to my station. And when it rains in means the suit trousers take a soaking and invariably then need a visit to the dry cleaners. And that is with a large umbrella.

So what do people do to keep their suits dry in those circumstances? The only people I see with over-trousers tend to cycle in, and it's not a look I want walking through the city.

Has anyone tried any of those water-repellent sprays? I think I saw one on Dragon's Den a while ago where the guy poured red wine over his treated suit and there wasn't a mark left on it! Do they actually work?

Any thoughts to my first world problem in advance of the inevitable wet autumn?

Not being flippant here, how long and wide are your trouser bottoms?

I used to do what sounds like the exact same route as you back in the late 90s and don't recall getting soggy trouser bottoms. But I have always worn my trousers with a narrow bottom and with very little break (spare cloth draping on the top of the shoe).

[Ziplobb]

just pack some waterproof overalls - thats what I used to do when it was tipping it down and had to walk from the Hovercraft in Southsea to Commercial Road in Portsmouth

[alfaspecial]

Bit of lateral thinking....... I used to work for a upmarket jewellers (accounts, not sales) and the sales staff would invariably have 2 pairs of shoes (1 for work and 1 for commuting).

Is it vital/importantthat you actually wear a suit walking to work?
Could you not wear an 'almost' matching pair of trousers and change into your suit bottoms at work? Probably less hassle than over-trousers etc You could 'keep' your suit trousers at work or alternatively carry them whilst commuting.

[Wacky Racer]

Get some VERY lightweight nylon golf overtrousers, then only cost around £15.00, and you can roll them up and put them in your pocket afterwards. They don't look too bad, its not like anyone at work would see them.

Or, as already mentioned, keep a spare pair at work.

[gamefreaks]

Don’t put your trousers on until you get to the office.


HTH.

[Quhet]

gamefreaks said:

Don’t put your trousers on until you get to the office.


HTH.

This, keep your suit at work

[wolfracesonic]

gamefreaks said:

Don’t put your trousers on until you get to the office.


HTH.

How does he then stop his underpants getting wet... wait I've an idea

[Polite M135 driver]

Get a pair of tailored shorts, to match the suit, to wear on rainy days with appropriate footwear? Put trousers on in office. Or maybe the shorts will look so good that you can keep rocking them all day.

[AlexC1981]

Just keep a pac-mac in your bag and some of these maybe? You can just slip them off and emerge pristine like a butterfly.

A pair of rain boots wellies might attract fewer sniggers, though then you have to carry your shoes.

[Polite M135 driver]

on the 9th of September 1665, Samuel Pepys wrote"

pepys said:

I, forced to go to the office on foot through all the rain, was almost wet to my skin, and spoiled my silk breeches almost.

(https://goo.gl/wdEaup)

sadly it seems nobody has solved this problem in the intervening 353 years.

[kowalski655]

Can you get one of these

in a waterproof fabric

[Berkshire bred]

Remove your trousers and store them under your jacket, it has the added bonus throat Every one leaves you alone. Glad I could help.

[sidicks]

Quhet said:

This, keep your suit at work

Exactly! Keeps a suit looking nicer for longer too!

[Fore Left]

Goretex Paclite over trousers. Thin and light, very waterproof and fold up tiny. Something like these:

https://www.berghaus.com/mens-paclite-gore-tex-ove...

(sorry for the sensible answer )

[Pothole]

Berkshire bred said:

Remove your trousers and store them under your jacket, it has the added bonus throat Every one leaves you alone. Glad I could help.

A bonus throat sounds like a hideously oxymoronic appendage!

[Sonie]

Forget the walk, train thing...do what most people do on here.
Get Mr Chauffeur to pick you up and drive you to the office.

[anonymous-user]

A Drizzabone or similar long Aus rancher’s coat. Longer than mid calf and waterproof. The very bottoms of your suit trousers might get a bit wet but that’s it.

[Thats What She Said]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Chopper.

[ClaphamGT3]

Sedan chair