All Geared Up

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Of course we own rain gear—we live in Vancouver. But there are times when we feel like having something a little more than functional, because nothing cheers us up when it’s raining like something fashionable, fun and funky. If it’s made locally, even better.

That’s where Cheeky Umbrella comes in. These fab umbrellas offer our kids that extra bit of protection for days when you really need them to stay dry. Jen Zurowski, Cheeky Umbrella’s founder, has us covered (pun intended). Her umbrellas are highly visible, with white backgrounds, brightly-coloured designs, and reflective trim. Their fiberglass ribs and aluminum shaft make them lightweight, the rounded hook handle makes it easy for little hands to carry (or hang off a backpack), and rounded plastic tips mean that they are safe, too. We love the cheeky sayings on the outside of the umbrella like: “If you can read this, I’m not muddy enough”, “Warning: I splash!” and “Rain or shine, I’m still cute!”. At $28, these durable, kid-friendly umbrellas actually make staying dry fun.

Toddlers are messy. Drooling, spilling milk and getting paint on clothes translates into multiple outfit changes on any given day. Two local Vancouver moms (and sisters), Kara deBoer and Kristy Taylor, have come to the rescue with the creation of Messed-Up Bibs.

When Kara’s twin girls were born, she searched high and low for bibs that kept her daughters dry while maintaining some degree of fashion and fun. So, Kara and Kristy, who love to shop for pretty fabrics, decided to make their own. The result: a bib that easily passes for a dress the kids can wear to a formal family dinner or a casual breakfast at home (just like your fave LBD). Made of naturally absorbent cotton and lined with water-resistant nylon, the Messy Dress offers full coverage, starting at the neck and falling to the knees in the front. If you’re looking for a more traditional bib (something a boy could wear), they also have a Bubble Bib ($16). Check out the fabrics and sizing in person at Pebble. With new fabrics each season, there is sure to be one you love, and at $36 (for the dress), they make a great gift, too. 

So, let ‘em get messy and muddy because when it comes to protection, this gear is as good as it gets.

Tested by Jakob & Ryan (3), Samantha (1), Vancouver