10 Types of Raincoats Every Kid Had in the ’90s
From cartoon characters to neon nightmares, these ’90s raincoats made every kid’s wardrobe a little louder—and wetter.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
In the 90s, staying dry didn’t mean dressing boring. Kids’ raincoats were colorful, crinkly, and often covered in pop culture icons or wild patterns. Let’s take a nostalgic stroll through 10 iconic types of rain gear every ’90s kid either wore, envied, or tried to trade for at recess.
1. The Clear Plastic Poncho
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A staple on field trips and school bus rides, this one-size-fits-none plastic sheet came folded in a pouch that never fit again. It clung to your skin, fogged up instantly, and smelled like a swimming pool.
2. The Neon Windbreaker Hybrid
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Bright, bold, and borderline blinding, these zip-up jackets screamed ’90s style. The louder the color block, the cooler the kid.
3. The Character Raincoat
Atahan Demir on Pexels
Whether it was Barney, Batman, or the Power Rangers, every kid had at least one raincoat repping their favorite TV hero. Often came with matching umbrellas and a false sense of invincibility.
4. The Rubbery Yellow Classic
Barbara Olsen on Pexels
This bright yellow raincoat made kids look like tiny fishermen. It squeaked when you moved and had snaps that always popped open.
5. The Puffy Lined Raincoat
Ronê Ferreira on Pexels
This version was more coat than rain gear. It was stuffed like a winter jacket but promised to be “water-resistant.” It was heavy, hot, and perfect for one month of the year.
6. The Metallic Reflective Jacket
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Worn mostly by kids with bike helmets and glow-in-the-dark shoes, this raincoat doubled as a traffic sign. It shimmered in the rain and made you feel like a spaceman.
7. The Zip-Up Hoodie with Vinyl Coating
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Soft on the inside, plasticky on the outside—this was the hoodie that tried to do it all. It was great for drizzles, not downpours, and usually peeled at the seams after one season.
8. The Disney Raincoat from the Gift Shop
Josta Photo on Flickr
A vacation souvenir that turned into everyday gear, this coat usually had Mickey, Goofy, or a castle across the back. It was oversized, overpriced, and folded awkwardly—but you wore it like a badge of honor.
9. The Transparent Tinted Raincoat
Barbara Olsen on Pexels
This coat, which was slightly colored, fully see-through, and totally weird, was a short-lived fad. It showed off your clothes while protecting nothing very well.
10. The Zip-Off Sleeve Convertible
Esra Afşar on Pexels
Raincoat by day, vest by choice—this multi-use jacket tried too hard to be everything. The zipper always jammed, and one sleeve inevitably disappeared forever.