Shopping bags can get tricky, especially if you are looking for certain qualities. All bags look great at the store, but they might not hold up well as you use them frequently, let alone when the weather is also bad, and it’s pouring outside. Been there! Felt it! Well, in this blog I will share with you some important guidelines on how to shop the right rainy day bag that can last you for a lifetime.
Why get the right rain bag?
Well, for these major reasons.
- Bags are more on the expensive side. Especially if the design is a major factor for you.
- Bags can last! Seriously! Unless you live in super harsh weather and take bad care of your stuff, they can easily last you years with minimum wear and tear. So if you shop the right bag, I guarantee you can have it for decades.
- Bags elevate your style. Bags are one of the most important accessories that can take your style to the next level. So if you want to look more stylish, it’s important to have the right bags.
- They are worth the investment. They upgrade your style, can last you a lifetime with minimal care. So it makes sense to invest in quality ones for that reason.
How to shop the right rain bag?
There are 5 characteristics to look for if you want to get the maximum function from your bag with minimum wear and tear.
1. Fabric
- Do you live in an area that gets very mild sprinkling rains?
- Do you barely need an umbrella for the type of rain you get in your hometown?
- Does it rain for a brief period, that you can easily avoid it?
- Are you traveling somewhere and there is a slight chance of rain?
For any of the above, the fabric is probably the only factor you need to care about. But what are safe fabrics?
1. Treated Leather
Leather is one of the most beautiful fabrics for bags. But for it to survive the rain, it needs to be treated and coated. If you are shopping from high-end designer brands, you need not worry, as they treat their leathers without even mentioning it in the product detail. But if it’s not one of the big names, you can check the product info or product detail to see if it’s coated and treated. If you can’t find it, reach out to the salesperson or if you are shopping online, start a chat, and ask. Whatever you do, never assume! 🙂
2. Nylon
Nylon is one of the strongest fabrics. It dries fast. It works well under very harsh weather with minimum wear and tear, and if you take excellent care of it; it lasts you for decades. Rain is only one condition it can survive, extreme hot/ cold weather is another. So if you want a versatile bag, that gives more use, Nylon is the one. It’s also super light and great for people who carry lots of stuff!
You can find Nylon bags in both high-end and low-end brands. As an example Prada, Tumi, Kate Spade normally have well-designed nylon bags. You can also find a variety of them in sports brands like Nike. If you get it from sports brands, you can use it for a variety of casual styles.
2. Product Detail
You need to read the label or product info carefully. Most brands provide enough information about the bag material and whether it is good for certain weather. Read it carefully and see how the brand itself classifies the bag overall. There are three water resistance levels you would see.
1. Water-proof
This is the highest level of water resistance. If a bag label says waterproof it means the fabric has been treated and coated. The zipper and the lining of the bag are waterproof as well and there are no worries when taking the bag out, even in harsh rain. Sometimes only the fabric itself is waterproof and the zipper and lining are standard. So read the product detail carefully, if you have trouble, ask before purchasing.
2. Water-repellent
The next water resistance level after waterproof is water repellent. If a fabric is water repellent, it means the water would sit on the bag’s surface instead of easily penetrating into it. In most cases, the fabric has been treated and coated to survive light to medium rain with no problem. Most water repellent bags use standard zippers and lining. This is the most common type of bag and you can find in designer brands, sports brands, and even mass-market fashion brands, like ZARA.
3. Water-resistant
The lowest water protection is water-resistant. Unlike waterproof and water-resistant, it is not treated or coated. The fabric itself is tightly woven in a way to create minimal gaps for the water to get in. This fabric buys you time as it absorbs water at a lower speed. If you are in the light to medium rain for a brief period, this type works. Wipe your bag off with a cotton cloth as soon as you get a chance.
3. Design
Although fabric is the most important factor, it’s not all. Even the best fabrics with poor design can’t do much for you. What to look for?
1. Full top closure
Obviously! For the sake of stuff you are carrying in your bag and to keep the bags’ interior safe from water damage. There are two types of top closure
- Zipper: I can’t stress this enough. The zipper is very important. If your bag doesn’t have zippers don’t take it to rain and never shop a rain bag that lacks this important factor.
- Flap closure: This is a nice to have if you like to be super cautious. A flap closure provides extra coverage and is great to have when your bag has only a standard zipper.
2. No gap on the sides
Some zipper bags have gaps on the side. This is more common in leather bags and you want to take caution to avoid this for your rain bag.
4. Colors
Just to be safe from color transfer! Even if you get the best high-end bags, there is no guarantee that color transfer won’t happen. You ask why? Because it has little to do with the bag you are carrying and more to do with other fabrics and colors you are wearing. Your bag is just the victim!
So what is the solution?
Shopping dark colors for your rain bag. Below I gathered the most beautiful colors you can pick based on your liking and also those you should avoid in any cost. Look:
There you go! Now you can shop your rain bag like a pro! 🙂
Read the post on how to shop your versatile sneakers in 2020 for a great casual look.
Love,
Nasim
