While there have been offerings of late for men's rainwear, the ladies have been left out with little or no option when it comes to rainwear. We have been working to remedy that, and are now offering this great Rubberized Ladies' Cloak that is patterned from period descriptions and images.
- On page 65 of Mike Woshner's India Rubber and Gutta-Percha in the Civil War Era, there is an image of the 1854 advertisement from the North American Gutta Percha company for their ladies' cloak. The description is as follows "Lady's Cloak: Expressly intended for ladies' wear; with or without sleeves or hood; are light and genteel, fit close around the neck. Their use affords full protection from wet weather."
- Godey's Lady's Book, April, 1864, page 408, lists a description of such a cloak as "water-proof cloaks seem now to be a necessary article in a lady's wardrobe. They are generally made with the Quaker style of hood, which can be pulled over the bonnet. They are buttoned down the front with large black button(s) stamped with butterflies, snakes, birds, grasshoppers, and other devices.
Our reproduction is made from the same rubberized cotton cloth as our men's raincoats. They are made in the "Quaker" style of cloak, with a lined, roomy hood that comes to a slight point. They are held closed by a single button near the neck line, to enable the user better use of their arms and freedom of movement. As with our men's raincoats, there is lack of any suitable reproduction buttons for this garment, so we use a composite button on our reproduction but encourage the purchaser to check with The Button Baron, Ebay, etc, for a more appropriate button.
