girlfriends plastic mack

LegacyUser

My girlfriend recently bought a plastic mack in penneys in Dublin. It's a cheapo coat for emergencies, at least that's what I thought.
She met me in town one day wearing it as it was raining heavily.
However, she wears it all the time now, raining or not. It looks like it is more suitable for a child or teenager.I think it is cheap looking and doesn't do her any favours as she has lovely jackets and coats.
But she likes this plastic mack and insists on wearing it.
Should I say something to her about it?

LegacyUser

Hi OP! I bought one of those too (3 euro!!) to lash in the boot and lob on if I got stuck without my umbrella. You're right, they're fairly awful looking things, more like an adult sized version of a toddler's raincoat.

It's a tricky one though, how do you broach the topic with her? I know my ex used to have a hideous aviator-style coat with all these gammy patches sewn on that he insisted on wearing that made him look like an extra from a movie, I used to be mortified when he wore it.

I decided to say nothing because I just didn't want to hurt his feelings and he had spent a lot on it. If she has only spent 3 quid on a plastic coat maybe you could make subtle hints about her other coats and how lovely she looks in them? At the same time, if she likes it you may just have to put up with it, it's a fine line. You don't like it but you don't want to be dictating to her about her wardrobe either.

LegacyUser

If it's bothering you that much say it to her. Don't be offensive or rude about it but just tell her you don't like it. If you were my boyfriend it wouldn't bother me if you told me something like that. And she may just tell you she doesn't care whether you like it or not she likes it and that's all that matters, which she would be well entitled to do.

Susie_Q

No. It's none of your business what she wears. She is a grown woman and I'm sure she can decide for herself.

28064212

Give her your opinion on it if you want, but don't demand she wear something else. It's perfectly acceptable to say you don't really like that coat, or that you prefer a different coat, but if she likes it and wants to continue wearing it, that's her decision

sbsquarepants

Ha!
Me and the missus have on going rows about clothes, mostly light hearted but some serious. Basicaly she is of the opinion that if she doesn't like something i shouldn't wear it and says if i didn't like something she wouldn't wear it. Personaly i thinik it's insecurity, needing to be liked and a fear of being mocked for wearing something odd, which she then projects onto me and i think you are doing the same. You think that she is making you look bad, that's your issue not hers - deal with it yourself.
I'm of the opinion that i'll wear whatever the f'uck i want to. I dress me, nobody else does! In fairness to her though, i do wear some odd clothes on occasion, but i like them and i honestly couldn't care less who else does.
I would advise you to leave it!!

straricco

gammycoat wrote: »

It's a tricky one though, how do you broach the topic with her? I know my ex used to have a hideous aviator-style coat with all these gammy patches sewn on that he insisted on wearing that made him look like an extra from a movie, I used to be mortified when he wore it.

LOL I know the feeling!! My BF used to wear a really hideous rain breaker with illuminous yellow on it, I HATED it! Didn't say anything at time & haven't seen it in ages. Been together good while now so if he wore it again I'd definately say it to him, or else just wouldn't be seen in public with him wearing it!

OP if its really as horrible & cheapy as u say, I would deffo say something.

LegacyUser

How about not saying anything, instead buy her a present of a lovely NEW rain mac (match the Pennys' one as best you can-- colour, style, ect), but to your taste? Check out asos.com or some trendy fashion shops.
It rains a lot here& macs are fairly handy& lightweight versus a coat/jacket.

Novella

Seriously? It's a bloody coat. I'm sure she doesn't absolutely adore every item of clothing you own. It's about the person, not what they choose to keep them dry when it rains. Say it to her, if you want, by all means, but if my boyfriend told me he didn't like something I wore, would I stop wearing it? No. All that would do is make me feel kinda bad and I guess a little insecure. If you want to do that to your girlfriend, go right ahead but don't think she's gonna appreciate it, or that you're doing her a favour.

kylith

The best thing to do might be just to mention that you think the mac doesn't suit her as well as one of her other coats does, but if she says she likes it then I'm afraid you'll have to lump it.

LegacyUser

I bought one of those macks in green for €3 in Penneys and they are lovely.
Yes they are not a fashion item, but great in the rain. And you know I have worn it over a light jacket to work and home again, out walking my dog, or even meeting friends.

I don't think you should say anything to her.
Plenty of people have asked me where I got it and expressed their fondness for it.

Has she worn this type of coat before? If so, then she obviously likes plastic raincoats and nothing you say or do will deter her from wearing it. Don't let your dislike of it, affect your relationship.

KarenR1981

Hide the coat then bin it then offer to buy her a new one - go shopping with her and get her a coat that ye both like
She will wear it all the time because you got it

Otherwise just tell her what you think of it - tell her she looks like a three year old and why hide her lovely figure under a sheet of plastic

Zen65

silentguy wrote: »

...
But she likes this plastic mack and insists on wearing it.
Should I say something to her about it?

If you do, choose your words carefully. Don't insult the jacket, just let her know you don't think it does her any favours, though acknowledge that it was a bargain, and leave it at that.

Be at peace,

Z

Novella

KarenR1981 wrote: »

Hide the coat then bin it then offer to buy her a new one - go shopping with her and get her a coat that ye both like

Eh... are you for real?! If I ever found out that someone had essentially stolen one of my belongings and then binned it because it wasn't to his/her personal taste, I'd be fuming. That is one of the most ridiculous and immature things I have ever heard.

barleybooley

I know it sounds awful, but I totally know where you're coming from! There are things that my boyfriend had that have had "accidents" or gone missing. I tell him about them later on and luckily for me, he thinks it's cute.

Anyway, I don't know how your girlfriend would take that so you need to be careful. I know my boyfriend doesn't like some of my clothes and tells me he thinks I look sexier in x and that the offensive garment doesn't do anything for him. This usually results in the aforementioned piece of clothing been recycled/given to charity. So this could be another approach to getting rid of it. Other than that, you'll have to wait until it wears out (and being Penneys that shouldn't be too long) or it gets too chilly to wear out.

Finally OP, if this is the only problem ye've encountered since being together then ye're flying!

tenchi-fan

Start calling it her "condom" rather than referring to it as a coat.
She won't be long ditching it (or you.)

Lumen

Novella wrote: »

Eh... are you for real?! If I ever found out that someone had essentially stolen one of my belongings and then binned it because it wasn't to his/her personal taste, I'd be fuming. That is one of the most ridiculous and immature things I have ever heard.

That sounds exactly like the sort of thing my wife would do. Last week she wouldn't let me out the house because she thought my shoes looked too gay.

PhysiologyRocks

Given that it's a coat rather than a personal issue, or something of a particularly serious nature, I'd suggest a bit of gentle slagging.

Next time she wears it you could say something like 'ah it's not even raining, what are you wearing that effing thing for? It looks like something you'd put on a toddler'...

Are there other issues that are making this bother you more than it normally would? Whatever about being bothered by someone's entire wardrobe, I've never heard of someone bothered by one item of clothing.

RandyMann

Say exactly what you think of it. If she cant handle the truth, then she is too sensitive. I dont understand why people cant be upfront about something as simple as a plastic raincoat whats the big deal??

rantyface

I can't believe you need advice on this. Can you not talk to your own girlfriend?! I can't believe it's an issue either- don't you just like her no matter what she wears? It rains a bit most days and it's sensible to wear a rain coat. They're wind and water proof and not overly warm.

I am a friend

Why so PC???? It shouldn't be such a big deal to say 'Hon that doesn't suit you' ???

Darthhoob

i'm all for people wearing stuff THEY like and are comfortable in, but i'm also for taking the pee out of them if they look silly (if they know me and can take it that is)

and i fully expect the same in return lol.

however that is me...and i dont know your girlfriend...she might take too kindly to that but surely, if you must, you could tell her?

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

I dont mind when my BF tells me things like that, im usually glad he is noticing !

I have grown to value his opinion, he is very nice about it though and i have never felt put down about that kind of thing. I usually have to get onto him though cause he is so laid back.

But if its only 3 euro then it is not going to be the sexiest looking coat in the world, just ask her about it, say 'you know that rain coat you wear i have seen a few people wearing them about, i know im not exactly a fashion designer but i dont get the attraction with those coats at all, they seem a bit bold to me.... am i missing something?' just be honest and play it dumb like you have no clue about fashion. I also think it is ok to reference it to the kids rain coats, i can totally see why you would see it that way and she may get a laugh out of it, thats if you can say it in the right way,

I suppose we need to know how sensitive she is as a person! how do U think she would respond?

It could become a joke down the road, one night she should dress up naked under it and surprise you! then you may see it differently! LOL

LegacyUser

Well I approached her yesterday and suggested to her that the coat made her look like a 10 year old! She defended herself and said she likes it and is going to wear it whatever I say. And last night we went to the cinema and she wore it.
So, I guess she ain't for turning on this one.
I know if I wore something she didn't like she would tell me straight up and expect me to wear something else that she did like.

tenchi-fan

silentguy wrote: »

Well I approached her yesterday and suggested to her that the coat made her look like a 10 year old! She defended herself and said she likes it and is going to wear it whatever I say. And last night we went to the cinema and she wore it.

That's pretty mean when you think about it. Maybe next time she suggests the cinema, just say "to be honest I didn't really enjoy it last time. maybe we should just rent a movie" ... she might unconsciously realise you're embarrassed of her jacket.

Alternatively, fight fire with fire:

WhodahWoodah

Seems to me that she's told you what's what. She knows exactly what you think of her mac but has decided that she wants to wear it anyway. She has every right to make her own fashion choices whether you like them or not. I think you're going to have to just lump it and respect her choices even if they wouldn't be yours! I think the phrase is Tough Cookies!

goose2005

tenchi-fan wrote: »

That's pretty mean when you think about it. Maybe next time she suggests the cinema, just say "to be honest I didn't really enjoy it last time. maybe we should just rent a movie" ... she might unconsciously realise you're embarrassed of her jacket.

I'm guessing you're a woman?

Canluum

I went through an almost identical situation... god she loved wearing that horrible looking plastic jacket and it made me embarrassed to introduce her to friends. It's a perfectly human response and not a gender issue. Girls, imagine your boy loved his horribly ill-fitting holey spiderman t-shirt he had since he was 15 and would wear it everywhere.

Anyway... because of the way women are socialised about their appearance, you can't, I repeat can't comment upon it negatively. It will cause more trouble than it's worth. It'll make her feel insecure, judged and depressed, and you will suffer equally if less directly. She'll feel like she's losing independence and start wearing it out of spite. Just ignore the plastic mac, pretend it doesn't exist and give it zero attention (even negative attention is still attention) but.... when she wears any other jacket drown her in compliments about it. If she asks your opinion on the mac, just shrug your shoulders and be stoic. Soon when choosing which jacket to wear she'll begin to subconsciously associate the other jackets with good feelings and that silly plastic mac will fall back.

Positive association... it works.

It worked for me.

LegacyUser

Ok OP,

Time to bring out the white socks and black shoes :L ....

Its good that she is strong minded, and likes herself no matter what, maybe she will get a new coat for christmas???

kylith

silentguy wrote: »

Well I approached her yesterday and suggested to her that the coat made her look like a 10 year old! She defended herself and said she likes it and is going to wear it whatever I say. And last night we went to the cinema and she wore it.
So, I guess she ain't for turning on this one.
I know if I wore something she didn't like she would tell me straight up and expect me to wear something else that she did like.

Well now she's probably just wearing it for spite. Leave her off and in a few weeks she'll probably stop wearing it altogether when she admits to herself you're right.

Emme

Simple - buy her a more expensive better quality raincoat which is similar in style to the one she got in Penneys.

28064212

silentguy wrote: »

Well I approached her yesterday and suggested to her that the coat made her look like a 10 year old! She defended herself and said she likes it and is going to wear it whatever I say. And last night we went to the cinema and she wore it.
So, I guess she ain't for turning on this one.
I know if I wore something she didn't like she would tell me straight up and expect me to wear something else that she did like.

Good to see you took all the advice about approaching it in a sensitive and non-confrontational manner :rolleyes:

You've pretty much closed all your options OP. All you can do now is wait til she stops wearing it on her own

up for anything

Canluum wrote: »

I went through an almost identical situation... god she loved wearing that horrible looking plastic jacket and it made me embarrassed to introduce her to friends. It's a perfectly human response and not a gender issue. Girls, imagine your boy loved his horribly ill-fitting holey spiderman t-shirt he had since he was 15 and would wear it everywhere.

Anyway... because of the way women are socialised about their appearance, you can't, I repeat can't comment upon it negatively. It will cause more trouble than it's worth. It'll make her feel insecure, judged and depressed, and you will suffer equally if less directly. She'll feel like she's losing independence and start wearing it out of spite. Just ignore the plastic mac, pretend it doesn't exist and give it zero attention (even negative attention is still attention) but.... when she wears any other jacket drown her in compliments about it. If she asks your opinion on the mac, just shrug your shoulders and be stoic. Soon when choosing which jacket to wear she'll begin to subconsciously associate the other jackets with good feelings and that silly plastic mac will fall back.

Positive association... it works.

It worked for me.

Do you train dogs as well? :eek:

Canluum

up for anything wrote: »

Do you train dogs as well? :eek:

Are you trying to suggest that letting her know you don't like the jacket in a positive way that leaves everyone happy is somehow a bad thing? It's just being considerate and having some tact. Being formulaic about it doesn't make it less so.

If she genuinely likes the jacket and doesn't value your opinion then it doesn't work.

sbsquarepants

silentguy wrote: »

Well I approached her yesterday and suggested to her that the coat made her look like a 10 year old! She defended herself and said she likes it and is going to wear it whatever I say. And last night we went to the cinema and she wore it.
So, I guess she ain't for turning on this one.

I know if I wore something she didn't like she would tell me straight up and expect me to wear something else that she did like.

Ha ha, serves you right!

Are you sure about the last bit, sounds to me like she'd leave you alone to wear what you want - you know like an adult!:D

whitehallp

Haha, sorry I know its bothering u but This is the funniest thread I've read in a long time. Some of the replies are excellent:D. I dont know I think u better give up the ghost and say nothing cos it sounds like it might become and even bigger issue if you say anything else - and she'll start wearing it everywhere. Why dont u take her on a shopping trip as a treat, u never know - she might tire of it anyway and maybe it'll fall apart or something.

sbsquarepants

Anyway OP, your torment wont last long. It's from pennies, it wont last long! They're the JML of the clothes world:)

vicecreamsundae

bought one of those plastic macs as well, and i actually really like how it looks!
i think you're just going to have to get over it,you told her you don't like it and she doesnt care [good on her ]
though if you are going to go down the emotional manipulation route [which i dont approve of!] you could tell her the reason you dont like it is because it's just not very comfy to cuddle her in/put your arm around. i mean it is plastic after all!

weatherguy

My girlfriend bought one of those plastic macs and I think she looks really cute in it.
She loves it and wears it whenever she can. Plenty of her mates have also had positive comments to say about it.
Yes it is unusual and it is plastic but I think you should just get over it and accept that SHE likes it and that is what matters.

stackerman

Canluum wrote: »

because of the way women are socialised about their appearance, you can't, I repeat can't comment upon it negatively. It will cause more trouble than it's worth. It'll make her feel insecure, judged and depressed, and you will suffer equally if less directly. She'll feel like she's losing independence and start wearing it out of spite. Just ignore the plastic mac, pretend it doesn't exist and give it zero attention (even negative attention is still attention) but.... when she wears any other jacket drown her in compliments about it. If she asks your opinion on the mac, just shrug your shoulders and be stoic. Soon when choosing which jacket to wear she'll begin to subconsciously associate the other jackets with good feelings and that silly plastic mac will fall back.

If only someone had told me that when I was 18 !! Would have saved me from a load of slaps

GENIUS ! God bless you

Shauna.Henn

OP, I'm guessing you're an adult from your original post. If so, and if you are in an intimate relationship with your GF, you could try asking her to slip on her plastic mac in the bedroom. You can then enjoy the view. FYI, there is a fairly strong fetish community focused on rainwear (plastic, PVC, rubber) etc. You'll never look back!

silentguy

silentguy wrote: »

Well I approached her yesterday and suggested to her that the coat made her look like a 10 year old! She defended herself and said she likes it and is going to wear it whatever I say. And last night we went to the cinema and she wore it.
So, I guess she ain't for turning on this one.
I know if I wore something she didn't like she would tell me straight up and expect me to wear something else that she did like.

cut it up and get a cat woman suit made out of it

beegirl

I have one of those plastic macs!!! Is it kind of like this? Because if so I think they are dead cute and wouldn't see anything wrong with wearing them in non-rainy situations!

outdoorsygirl

Not exactly like yours. It is more flimsy looking, cheap. That one you showed seem smore sturdy and more classy looking. Hers is just so cheapo.
My God, she wore all over the weekend while we met up with friends in town and then out for a walk yesterday. She isn't the tallest standing at just 5.3inches and she looks about early 20s. So the coat makes her look like ateenager I think.
Now if the one you have is still available and not too dear i might consider investing in one for her, cos I am sure she would like it.

beegirl

I am confused, has the op "silentguy" suddenly become "outdoorsygirl"? Could you have logged on to your gf's account??? Perhaps you have bigger problems than a rain mac... In any case the one I have (like the one in pic above) I got in h&m, it was about €20/30.

Silverfish

Locking this, unless the OP wants it re-opened in which case they can pm one of the moderators.