Inverness style rain cape

[Nanook]

Frankly, for the money of the last one, I'd probably go the extra and buy a scotch-guarded tweed cape.

Tradition here is not tweed but melton or loden cloth--- the standard pattern for the Highland Regiments is dark green. No need for "scotch guard" or other fluorochemical treatments as wool is naturally water resistant.

[JerseyLawyer]

Tradition here is not tweed but melton or loden cloth--- the standard pattern for the Highland Regiments is dark green. No need for "scotch guard" or other fluorochemical treatments as wool is naturally water resistant.

I've seen tweed and barathea offered, but nothing else. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. Doesn't the water-resistance of wool depend on how it's treated?

Now I'm curious - I do one day hope to invest in a "real" Inverness cape for cold weather.

[Nanook]

I've seen tweed and barathea offered, but nothing else. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. Doesn't the

The once standard issue "Bandsman's Cape" for the "Highland Brigades" was not Barathea. Functional wool outerwear call for a different weave. Barathea capes seem more about dress and drama (eveningwear) than about protecting one from a downpour. Most of the ones I've seen are black.

water-resistance of wool depend on how it's treated?

One can process wool to make it less waterproof or more waterproof (for example spun or boiled) but all wool resists water. Wool fiber sheds water and its natural fats (Lanolin) provide waterproofing. More importantly: wool also insulates even when wet.