The shoulder season in Ontario is long. After months of waiting to go outside again, the weather finally warms up, but now it's always raining. Then there are all the beautiful destinations we love travelling to, like Victoria, B.C. or Newfoundland, where precipitation is often in the forecast, or the activities might involve getting splashed by a wave while you try to spot wildlife. Either way, when you're getting out in the world and exploring, you can't avoid getting wet sometimes — unless you have the perfect rainwear.
The Mernini raincoat: What is it?
Newfoundland rainwear brand Mernini was created by Maria Halfyard to solve the rainy day problem of getting drenched on your journey, whether it's a commute, a travel day or simply a dash from the car to the front door. So, she set out to develop a 100 per cent waterproof, fashionable raincoat that could be styled as part of an outfit, rather than just an afterthought.
The Mernini raincoat: The features
This isn't just a cute piece of outerwear — The Mernini is full of functional features. When I debut the raincoat on an overcast spring day in Toronto, the sky opens up without warning, and it starts to pour. My umbrella is stashed all the way in my bag, so I simply flip my hood up. The ankle-length raincoat looks wonderfully elegant, but it also keeps me dry from head to toe, even as cars speed past, spraying everyone on the sidewalk.
When the rain isn't coming down so hard, a strong, two-way zip lets me give my legs a little more room, whether I'm speed-walking or taking a seat. My favourite feature of The Mernini, though, is the magnetic front closure that protects the zipper. It snaps into place in a split second, which is great for sealing the rain out or keeping the long raincoat securely on a coat hanger.
Cozy, built-in wrist warmers are a nice extra touch that adds to the comfort of wearing this raincoat. Meanwhile, zippered pockets with a covered closure keep my gloves and other items safely stowed and dry.
Lightweight and easy to fold or roll up, The Mernini is simple to pack in your suitcase or carry with you on all your travels where the weather is inclement or uncertain. It also comes in a whole range of colours, from neutrals and earth tones to bright pinks, yellow and red, so you can match it to your luggage, shoes, accessories or anything you like.
The Mernini: The accessories
For extra warmth and comfort, The Long Liner is a cozy, quilted vest that can easily be worn underneath The Mernini to help it stand up to those really chilly rainy days. If the temperature is above 10 C, I find The Mernini warm enough on its own, but when it drops below 10 C, I love having the matching liner for warmth. It fits inside seamlessly, without the feeling of any extra bulk or weight, and it's fashionable enough that you can just wear it on its own as a cute outer-layer.
To complete the whole look, the Rain Hat is an adorable addition for outdoor pursuits. It's not exactly streets of Toronto chic, but I will definitely be wearing it on any trips out east or west — or anytime I'm out on a boat in inclement weather.
The Mernini raincoat: The verdict
In all honesty, it was love at first sight. I've never worn a proper raincoat before because they often look so boxy and silly, but The Mernini changes all that. It's a beautiful raincoat that's as functional as it is fashionable. It keeps me completely dry on rainy days, and I love the way it looks and feels — plus I get a lot of compliments every time I wear it (including one from a stranger who shouted, "I love Mernini" enthusiastically from a distance).
Now that I have an elegant, fully waterproof coat to throw on, I've started to love rainy days — and there's no going back.
The Mernini, $325, mernini.com
