The Original RainSkirt

I can't decide which is best for me--the WeatherWrap or the RainSkirt. Can you outline some of the differences?
The major differences between a Weatherwrap and a RainSkirt are: the bottom hem, appearance, ease of use.
HEM: On a Weatherwrap, the hem is an open, overlapping circle. Because it is not a "closed circle" one can take really long steps without ever maxxing out the bottom of the skirt. Conversely, on a RainSkirt, the bottom hem is a closed circle and one can take steps that reach the edge of the skirt (though the RainSkirt does have a zipper on each side to allow an extra-long gait to avoid this problem). Men tend to prefer the wrap for its ability to allow a really long stride.
APPEARANCE: the WeatherWrap has a more A-line skirt appearance, and some find it is too wide at the bottom for them. The RainSkirt hangs more straight from the hip.
EASE OF USE: All our garments are made to be put on in a flash while leaving one's shoes on, but the wrap does not require stepping into the garment so it's a little easier to use.

Where can I buy an Emergent Designs skirt?
Currently we only sell via the internet. This keeps costs down to you—the consumer.

Which is best for bikers?
Unless you already ride in a skirt, we don't recommend any of our products for bike riding (all skirts present a challenge on bikes due to wind and top tubes). If you already enjoy wearing a skirt while biking, our Weather Wraps might suit you best. We welcome ideas on how to improve our skirts for biking, AND design ideas for the ultimate biking rain pants. We look forward to the day we can serve our biking buddies (and ourselves) this way!

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we're happy to ship internationally. There's a small currency exchange fee (usually under $5), and the buyer is responsible for all import taxes, if applicable. We ship via US Postal Service, and attach all important customs documents for ease of import. Normally, international packages arrive within 10-25 days of shipment. Please note: international shipping times can be very long during the month of December.

Is my personal and financial information safe with Emergent Designs?
Yes and yes. We will not share your personal information with other companies. Further, we use a third party site (currently paypal) who processes your credit card payment, so we don't actually ever see or receive your financial information.

What are some benefits of wearing a water proof skirt or wrap?
The first benefit most people notice when they pull on an Emergent Designs skirt or wrap is that it's easy to put on and take off without removing your shoes. You can take it off in public without feeling like you are undressing—making it easy to go from the street to the market. It doesn't have geeky ankle elastic to funnel water into your shoes. It keeps your pants dry.

Are Emergent Designs' skirts good for snow, too?
Yes, they are ideal for snow, or even just cold weather. We don't recommend the long length skirts or wraps for warm weather—they are too warm. The Sport Skirt is best for warmer environments.

Why do you charge an “environmental fee” if I request expedited shipping?
The cost to the environment is higher when someone ships an item in a plane. It uses more fuel, and causes more pollution. Shipping in trucks is much more efficient than in a jet-powered plane. While one part of that cost is reflected in the higher price for expedited shipping, the cost to society (in the form of increased air pollution) is not. We charge a $7 fee to those who need faster shipping and donate that fee directly to non-profits working to protect our shared natural resources. This money is donated in-full to Project Laundry List.

If the above is true, why do other companies not charge a similar fee?
We're not sure why other companies don't ask customers to absorb excess pollution created during expedited shipping. They should. We don't think many customers realize the difference shipping can make, so we hope that we educate others about this important point.

Why didn't someone invent these sooner?
We're not sure. As one customer said, “Tis high time someone made a garment such as this.”