Laugh At The Rain With Style

What I liked so much about the designer version raincoat was that it was reversible, lightweight and folded up to fit into its own small shoulder tote bag. But the innovative design has a flaw: The coat is not wrinkleresistant. It would have to be raining pretty hard for me to put on a raincoat that looks like it has been scrunched up in a bag.

The designer nylon and leather expandable backpack is another clever idea. From a small pouch it expands to a full-size backpack.

The raincoat/backpack set costs $600. I’ve shopped from two sources to find a more reasonably priced alternative.

Weekenders, an international shop-at-home service, has a navy hooded jacket that transforms into a tote bag. It’s polyester and cotton, machine washable and dryable, and practical because it is wrinkle-resistant.

The Jump! black backpack from Shleppers starts out as a pouch. Unzip the pouch and out pops a fullsize microfiber grosgrain backpack. A larger tote suitable for weekend use is also available.

Designer version

Black and gold reversible coat by Mycra Pac Designer Wear San Francisco ($145)

Black supplex nylon/Lycra capsleeved top by A Line Anne Klein ($60)

Matching leggings ($60)

Black nylon and leather expandable backpack by Prada ($460) TOTAL: $725

Dress For Less version

Navy hooded jacket transforms to a tote bag ($69)

White cotton knit shell top with banded collar and armholes ($25)

Above items by Weekenders shop-at-home manufacturer

Navy rayon/spandex leggings by New York Style from Lerners ($25)

Black nylon Jump! backpack from Shleppers at major department stores ($48)< TOTAL: $167 Dress For Less runs weekly on Choices. All of the best looks and fashion bargains featured in this column are available in book form. Send $9.95 to Dress For Less, 177 Sound Beach Ave., Suite 6, Old Greenwich, CT 06870. For information about the sources mentioned here send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the same address.