Dry in the wet

Natalia Emerich_Brasília 247 – Getting dressed in rainy weather can be a problem, since the utilitarian nature of clothing is not always accompanied by aesthetics. Brasília 247 has compiled a selection of items and shows that it's not just a raincoat and galoshes that keep you dry. If the goal is to block 100% of the water, there are waterproof jackets, pants, and shoes. The brands that have the most products like this are those geared towards fishing and adventure activities. The jackets from Trilhas e Rumos, for example, are made of nylon – a synthetic yarn that is resistant to water. In addition to protecting the fabric itself, the factory applies a product to waterproof the garment. Sealed seams complete the barrier against moisture ingress. The coats cost between R$ 200 and R$ 499. Nômade boots come in a variety of styles and prices, ranging from R$ 249 to R$ 449. The Climatex membrane, designed to withstand extreme heat and cold, is used in its manufacture. It prevents water from passing through while allowing the feet to "breathe". Timberland offers synthetic leather boots with various waterproof technologies, and they cost between R$300 and R$500. Staying completely dry is expensive, but it can be worse when consumers buy poor-quality products. Genuine waterproof shoes last approximately five years. "You need to choose carefully to avoid losses; there's a lot of misleading advertising," warns Ricardo Ramos, a salesperson at Sport Center in Conjunto Nacional. Nicoboco offers various styles of backpacks, all of which are water-resistant. They are made of 400 denier nylon – the same thread used in seat belts, and are waterproof. They cannot be classified as waterproof because the zipper does not contain the droplets. According to the store's assistant manager, Tiago Alexandre, people are mainly looking for bags that have a compartment for laptops, to protect the equipment. For motorcyclists, Drill sells a specific model that is spacious and has a rear zipper to prevent water from entering, for R$ 599. It's difficult to find a woman who isn't passionate about shoes. The good news is that at Jelly, all our products are made of melflex – a material derived from PVC – and are waterproof. Utility goes hand in hand with design. Rain boots are a departure from the standard blue color and can be found in a variety of colors. There are sandals, sneakers, and many styles of boots – ankle boots, pointed-toe boots, heeled boots. "It's practical and very convenient, you can take it off and dry it really quickly," says salesperson Suzana Paraíso. Prices range from R$ 89,90 to R$ 200. Whoever goes out in the rain... Since getting wet is often inevitable, the tip is to look for clothes that at least don't get soaked. They are called water-resistant – usually made of nylon and microfiber. In addition to absorbing little moisture, most products dry quickly. The stores are full of them, especially the beachwear stores. Details: In this search for special items, 247 discovered that there are more men's options on the market. At Mormaii, shorts, t-shirts and backpacks are semi-permeable. The material is polyester microfiber (used in kite surfing kites, more resistant than tactel, with "hairs" that prevent liquid from entering). The fabric, therefore, repels water – even in light rain – and dries up to five times faster than regular fabrics. Even lingerie and socks can be helpful when it rains. Since it got soaked, it's best to dry it quickly. At Puket, microfiber panties and bras dry almost three times faster than cotton ones. The set costs R$ 59,80. The socks absorb and release moisture quickly, which reduces foot odor and increases comfort. The pair costs R$ 21,90. According to Verônica Zanotti, coordinator of the Fashion and Design course at Unieuro, some brands are investing in waterproof items in their summer collections. However, the fashion market shows little aesthetic consideration for utilitarian clothing. "Professionals in the field don't see much of the responsibility involved in designing uniforms, raincoats, and personal protective equipment – ​​used by sugarcane cutters, steelworkers, and other professionals."