12 wet-weather gear to get you through Beijing's rainy season
Photos: Tmall.com
Beat the Beijing rain with these weird and wonderful Taobao finds
It is not raining men, but it sure is, well, raining. Beijing has seen its fair share of summer showers recently, with everything from the occasional short drizzles to heavy downpours. But never let the weather (or anything for that matter), stop you from having fun. So whether you're running around in the rain, or having a warm night in, here are the rainy day essentials to get you through the stormy weather.
Shoe covers
Photo: TMall
We know, shoe covers, the ultimate turn off to any outfit. But Warrior, the popular Chinese sneaker brand, has its own version of shoe covers. Just slip these rubber covers over your sneakers, and you’re good to go. They’re made to be incredibly resistant, and with a range of colours from neon yellow to muted grey, they do just look like regular shoes from a distance. It’s worth a shot if you don’t want to risk your shoes getting muddied up in the rain.
Cost: 21.8RMB from TMall
Ladies, a little torrential downpour shouldn’t mean you need to compromise on fashion, nor lose two inches of height, so keep your high heels dry and tower above the puddles with these zippable plastic covers.
Cost: 14.5RMB
Waterproof visors
Photo: TMall
For when you encounter, as Forrest Gump describes, 'rain that flew in sideways,' you’ve got these waterproof visors you can don for the ultimate rainy day cover. These visors offer full facial protection, not just from the rain, but also from hot oil (as advertised). Pair these with a raincoat and you’ve got the ultimate rainy day outfit.
Cost: 19.90RMB from TMall
Automated umbrellas
Photo: TMall
We’re obsessed with automated objects. This automatic umbrella that opens and closes with a click of a button is everything you need for your rainy day errand. If it’s one thing less to do, we say take it. They're also made of hyper-resistant material and are one metre wide, so you're guaranteed dry-free sessions.
Cost: 68RMB from TMall
Umbrella hat
Need to stay dry but can’t bear to peel your hands away from your smartphone for even five minutes? Never fear, the hands-free, double-tiered umbrella is here! Your personal parasol is the convenient canopy you’ve been waiting for, and its adjustable chin strap means that even the most tempestuous of storms won’t hold you back.
Cost: 32RMB from TMall
Umbrella hat
An alien relative of the umbrella hat, this Unidentified Fashionable Object will not only keep the raindrops off you, but also dramatically increase your circumference, putting more distance between you and personal space invaders. A fun umbrella alternative for kids and adults alike.
Cost: 30RMB from TMall
Helmet umbrella
Fed up with struggling to wrestle with your umbrella on a windy day? Well, this helmet-shaped umbrella is designed to withstand heavy downpour as well as strong winds, so you won’t have to show up to work feeling like a windswept mess. Made with wind-resistant material, it does the job without snapping so easily or turning inside out in the wind. The best part? You won’t get ambushed by your fellow pedestrians’ umbrellas thanks to the closed-up shape. It also comes with a cut-away front, so you can always keep your eyes on what’s in front of you.
Cost: 46RMB from TMall
Raincoat
Photo: TMall
Nobody likes getting soaked when commuting from one place to another, that’s for sure. These convenient raincoats are designed especially for riding on two-wheeled vehicles, comfortably covering two people. It even has a separate head opening to keep both you and your buddy sheltered from the rain.
Cost: 29.99RMB for a single person version, 54.99RMB for the pair version, from TMall
Rain poncho and dog-brella
Finally, one for the furry ones. Just because it’s raining cats and dogs doesn’t mean you couldn’t take your four-legged friends on a stroll outside. This cute rain poncho with a transparent hoody will keep your pets dry in style. If your pooch likes to roam more freely, you can also pick up this pup-brella, which is hooked on your dog's collar and doubles as a leash.
Cost: 40RMB from Tmall
Mini home projector
Photo: TMall
You can’t go out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time at home. Use your rainy days catching up on all the missed episodes of Game of Thrones, or all 22 Marvel movies, sounds like a solid good time doesn’t it. Just imagine having the ultimate cinema experience without ever leaving your couch.
Cost: 3,599RMB from TMall
Jianbing blanket
Photo: UnTour Food Tours
Rainy season, just call it cuddle season, right? These cool looking jianbing designed blankets are the perfect cover up for a cosy snuggle sesh. They’re warm and made of microfibre material. At 200RMB, envelope yourself in the never-ending warmth of this Chinese street food legend.
Cost: About 200RMB from UnTour Food Tours
Self-stirring mugs
Photo: TMall
Self-stirring mugs, or shall we call them the invention of the century? There’s nothing we crave more than a cup of hot beverage when it’s cold and rainy outside. Never have to stir your coffee again with these automated stirring mugs that will, well, do the stirring for you. These handy devices spin when you throw them into the mug. Waiting’s probably the toughest thing you’ve got to do to get a hot cup of tea to sip on.
Cost: 168RMB from TMall
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