I didn't intend to buy the new Rain for Daze II jacket but the manager at my store was going on and on about how nice it was compared to last year's (and some people in my lululemon groups had tried it and really liked it) so I had to try it on. I have been in the market for a longer lightweight rain jacket for awhile now. I actually bought last year's Rain for Daze but ended up returning it since it didn't seem worth the money. This year's is definitely a lot nicer.
Lululemon is changing their hangtags. These seem to be more in line with other athletic brands I've purchased. This year's Rain for Daze is waterproof - last year's was water resistant. This year's version is not reversible but that wasn't isn't a feature I use much anyway. The reversibility hosed up the interior pocket situation, too. This years has a much nicer finish at the cuffs and hood, and tons more pockets.
The inside tags have changed, too, to be permanent.
You can see all the pockets on the inside - four of them. The two on the left side and the slot pocket on the right are deep enough to fit an iphone 6+ in a case. There are also two places to cinch the waist.
Inside of the left interior zipper pocket.
Pockets on the interior right side. I'm not sure why the lower pocket was divided into narrow sections. I'm struggling to figure out what I'd keep in there.
One idea - my Clif bars, they fit perfectly! :P
Earbud cord guide.
The exterior pockets are finished nicer than last year's version. The right pocket has a small pocket inside it.
The sleeves are finished much nicer than last year, and you can flip them up to reveal a reflective strip. The sleeves are also longer than the previous version.
Unlike last year's version, this year's features a double zipper.
The hood is lined with soft material along the lower jaw and cheeks, and can be cinched tighter.
The hood can also be cinched in the back.
For reference, here are some photos of last year's Rain for Daze:
17 comments:
I have no problem paying more $$$ for better quality. Looking good. Thanks for posting.
I'd love a picture of you wearing the jacket?
Also thanks for the review of the jacket as I am waiting for mine to show up on Monday :) I tried last years and hated how it ballooned out in the front like I was expecting :(
Me too. If I wore it out everyone would have asked when I'm due.
Thx for all you do...love your blog. Can you compare this red to true red....and maybe bubble berry. ..
I have a really tough time with the fits of most lulu jackets. As usual, the size 8 was too tight in the shoulders and arms and the size 10 was huge overall. I was really excited about this jacket, but it just didn't work for me. It definitely ballooned out in the front.
I did not like the original version and although there are some changes for the better on this one, I still don't like the look in front. I love the back but it still puffs out in front from the waist down whether it's cinched or not. I don't like the feel or look of the neck when zipped up and would have preferred a stowable hood. It's a very expensive to and from jacket. I am still waiting for a lightweight lined technical jacket but will probably have to wait until next year.
Kim, I tried this jacket on yesterday and there was something about the way it sat in front that kept me from purchasing it. If you can get to a store, I suggest trying it on rather than ordering, just in case it's the same. I didn't try on last year's so I can't compare how much difference there is between the two, maybe there's an improvement from how much it ballooned out last year?
mini review for Rain For Daze II! I loved the look from behind but something in front seemed off to me. It does stick out a little strange on me. I tried it on in size 4 which is what I normally wear for Lulu jackets, but I wear size 2 for CRBs and Rulu tops. May have been because of my bust making it stick out from there down (32DD/E)? I wouldn't say size down from your usual Lulu jacket size if you're busty, or if you plan on wearing a thick ScubaII under it.
Another review (hope this is ok LuluAddict) - Also tried on the new CRBII, fully prepared to hate it, but ended up liking it in Super Purple enough to get it and give it a fair try. Didn't like the purple Camo one (seemed dull/drab to me), also had white and black. LOVE the higher cut front neckline. This would have been perfect small change to original CRB and I would have been very happy with that. Length not an issue for me at 5'2" and I was always pulling up my original CRBs up over my bust to keep everything covered (maybe that takes up some of the length of the original for me) and now not an issue. As for back, it isn't as terrible as I was expecting, although I prefer the uncluttered look of having all my straps covered up, the cut kind of flatters my back, just wish my straps looked 'cleaner' (not sure that best way to describe it) with it. I was wearing my regular bra (La Senza So Free Full Coverage) and only my straps showed (wearing regular not crossed), but I'm sure the straps are going to show whether they are crossed or not. I only wear TaTa Tamers as my sports bra of choice so this isn't the prettiest look, but I am used to it. Really hoping as it's worn it won't end up creeping down in back exposing the rest of the bra (part that does up around body/ribs) that won't be a good look at all, but we shall see. Overall the craftsmanship of seams/stitching quality is not worth the $52 price tag imo. I was told that if comes undone they will repair it no problem, and that's great, but imo with these kinds of prices this shouldn't be an issue to begin with. Will see how it works out after a few wears... Oh, and one more thing, I was concerned about it being what looked to be a whole size wider from the photos I've seen but the one I got in Super Purple is pretty much same as my original CRBs width. Maybe more sizing inconsistency issues depending on colour? (wouldn't be surprised! They need to get after that)
As for the tag changes being in line with what other companies are doing - since when is it a good thing to follow the rest of the herd? What about standing out and doing your own thing? Being like sheep isn't a good thing imo, I prefer black sheep. Anyway, nothing really against the tags, although I do prefer the way they were to begin with, but it seems like Lulu wants to be a follower now instead of a leader.
Oh, and thanks for your photos and reviews LuluAddict. Always love seeing all the latest Lulu news whether I like what I'm seeing or not.
Thank you for the review. I liked last year colors better
I looked at the website the day it came out and it said water resistant! Or I'm losing it! Thinking I need it totally then. Love to see you in it! Thinking it would look a lot better on someone with curves.
@ janine - you are right, the website says water-repellent. Boo! I hope the tag is correct and they just re-used text from last year's jacket on the website.
@ anon 8:14 am - thanks for the fit reviews on things, they are always welcome. I also bought the super purple CRBII yesterday. I should compare the sizing on that one to my other CRBs to see if the camo one ran a bit large.
@ anon 4:39 am - I don't have any true red yet but will try and remember next time I am at the store. Bumble Berry is more pink than this red. I'll try and take some photos of those two soon.
I went and tried on the CRB II. I'm ok with the changes they made, EXCEPT for the messed up stitching in the back. I think these should be pulled--this is an obvious defect. I'm a seamstress and there's no way I would release a product that has such sloppy detail. If they will fix that, I will buy.
If you get in the shower with it let me know! Lol I looked at the online mobile site not the app earlier today and thought it said waterproof. I'm thinking like you they haven't changed it. I was thinking I could run in it and ride too.
Permanent inside tags. More boo. The rip out tags are one of my favorite things.
I loved the rip out tags too. Wish they would keep their tags the way they have been. Tags can be irritating and the words usually end up fading out so you can't see what has been printed anyway. I never cut out permanent tags because then it just leaves behind a little piece that ends up even scratchier than the full tag. Definitely boo.
Somehow I don't think the back V section (not being flat locked) on the CRBII is a defect, I'm pretty sure it's the way it has been (poorly) designed to be sewn together. The quality of craftsmanship regarding the stitching is especially poor in that area, but if you look will you see that the seams are stitched poorly throughout the tank (and other Lululemon items as well unfortunately), unless you're lucky enough to get a rare nicely made one. You can see that there are some areas where it is loose looking, or some areas where you can see little 'loops/pulls' in the stitches, or some areas where the stitching is bulkier and looks to be stitched over multiple times, or long threads hanging out, or a combination of any or all of these! Definitely not the quality you should expect when paying $52 for a tank like this (or any other Lululemon item).
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