To buy a dry robe as a winter coat?!

[justtosayihelped]

I live in the south west. From October to March, our weather is 99% driving rain and howling wind. I’ve tried over the years to find a decent winter coat that keeps me warm and dry. I’ve found a few that work somewhat, including a lovely M&S rain jacket, but it’s a bit thin.

im considering just biting the bullet and buying a big waterproof changing coat from regatta and being cosy.

But does it look a bit wanky?! Is it okay?!

this is the one I have my eye on

https://www.regatta.com/adults-waterproof-changing-robe-dark-cherry/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D_16108952393&utm_content=%7Badgroupname%7D_&utm_term=&utm_brand=regatta&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16097452002&gbraid=0AAAAADQdSE8zgQrK5ij4KWiKVriu-WZ3p&gclid=CjwKCAjwwrPVBhA1EiwAv_YO-URMzXzdUfe_4pedDIy1IwFhHmTq04jbmI2WidUesYp3VTPhi4AJvBoCfVEQAvD_BwE

YABU - accept the soggy legs and wear something more dignified

YANBU - stay warm and dry

Dryrobes are like Crocs - ugly, but have totally smashed their design brief and are incredibly efficient at their assigned role. I have one, am aware of the stigma if you are not actually within 10 feet of a body of water, and wear it anyway because it’s bloody brilliant at keeping you warm and dry. They are so snug, the warm snuggly feeling it gives you kind of acts as a shield against any disapproving looks. You simply don’t care 🤣 Go for it, you won’t regret it.

I think they look totally fine, and seriously practical. Do it - you will be warm and dry all winter 👍

I have an unbranded on I wear for outdoorsy thing where I'll be standing around, but I wouldn't go shopping/to the pub in it and it's not very practical if you're going to be active.

A good warm waterproof coat is absolutely a game change though - my Seasalt one is nearly 10 years old and still completely waterproof.

I wouldn’t wear it myself, purely because I have something similar and find it too big and bulky for everyday use, but I wouldn’t look twice at someone else wearing one. Didriksons Erika parka is warm and waterproof £150-£200

I bought an amazing long length waterproof coat from tesco last year! And it has an incredible hood! I agree with the PP that said regatta dry robe hoods aren't great, I bought some for my kids last winter and the hoods don't do a brilliant job so worth bearing in mind.

I actually bought one when I did open water swimming. I then moved away from the water, and I still had the coat.

Last winter I couldn't think of anything to wear when dog walking, and I didn't have the money to buy another coat, so I wore the dry robe. It was bliss as it was wonderfully roomy. It got a bit muddy around the bottom of the hem, and it just wiped off. It will be my go to dog walking coat for this winter too.

I reserved mine for paddleboarding and swimming but I'm currently pregnant and have zero interest in buying yet another coat. It still does up so is 100% being my winter coat, can probably do it up over a sling for the wall to school once the baby is here too. Yanbu, if it's comfortable, warm and dry looking like a tit is a small price to pay.

I have a friend who used to mock me for being a dry robe wanker when I wore it, we went to Cornwall together and she ended up wearing it on the beach while I was surfing with the older kids. Anyway she basically refused to take it off and then went out and bought one which she now wears pretty much every day. 🤣

I have an Orla Kiely Regatta one - I also live in the SW (Wiltshire) where it's not that cold in winter but it pisses down most weekends. I wear mine to DS football matches and I don't care how it looks - it keeps me dry!

That said - it's not my only winter coat. I've got a Seasalt one for that.

Well don’t not buy one because you think others will see them as wanky, as that’s just silly.

You get one if you want one!

The one thing I’d say about them is that don’t seem much good if you want to actually do anything beyond walking or standing still in them. They’re not much good for being active at all in as their bulk makes them quite restrictive.

I don’t personally have one but just going by family who live by the sea and have them for their intended purpose of changing under, and what they’ve said (they don’t use them as coats for example).

We also go on some quite active holidays and see alot of tourists wearing them as coats - remember you’ll still need something to keep your feet and ankles/ lower legs dry. That’s the same with a coat of course, but people seem to think they can wear a dry robe with crocs for some reason. We wear waterproof trousers with rain coats if we’re doing outdoor stuff in the rain, and then hiking boots, but obviously wellies would do the job if you’re not planning to be that active.

Passenger have their dry robe versions on sale just now and they have some nice colours. I just ordered one.

edited to add link: https://www.passenger-clothing.com/products/waves-recycled-sherpa-lined-changing-robe-spearmint-deep-ocean?variant=43939764601027&currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22719480223&gclid=CjwKCAjwwrPVBhA1EiwAv_YO-Q8t2Be_XtWQWknxu_c50gQnGX3If4F81KaA-Rg0TDmJ_DTRc32wFBoCOAAQAvD_BwE#productDetails

They are probably wearing crocs with them because they're hot!

A lot of people do recommend them for dog walking which I do get.

I've got a long, padded, waterproof coat that I bought for doing playground duty in the depths of winter. Looks good to wear outside school - on the beach with the dogs or in town on a day out. Soooooo many better options than dry robe op. Mine now gets re-waterproofed every year before coming back out for the entire season

Maybe but this is in the rain in Wales and they always look miserable

I have one. It’s fabulous as my winter coat. Already wearing it as I’m in Scotland.

Go Vinted - I sold mine to someone in the SW!

I go open water swimming through the winter so have a dry robe (actually a Wild Mouse changing robe) for that. I also have a coat, bought cheap on Vinted, that is so lovely that strangers regularly stop me on the street and ask where I got it. When it's cold, rainy and windy, I will always pick the changing robe. Also the pockets are so big that you can fit a bottle of champagne in one pocket and a bottle of whiskey in it's tin in the other and still have space for more, as I discovered on my way to a new year's eve party.

Have worn my pink camo dryrobe for last 3 winters and will do this one too. It's warm, waterproof and I can layer up underneath if I want to and never feel squashed. Absolutely no fucks to give about looking stupid, the ones that look silly imo are the ones freezing their arse off in something they consider classier. There are loads of options out there now so just find one you like and enjoy a warmer winter.

I am a bit obsessed with coats and have just bought a North Face Arctic Parka for freezing football sidelines, there are quite a few on Vinted for around £100. I have a seasalt Janelle and don't really get the hype, I like the length, but the peak on the hood looks a bit ridiculous and it's not that warm.

I do have a dryrobe type coat from Tesco, it was half price, I think because it's leopard print(!) and it's the snuggliest, warmest thing, but I feel a bit, erm, conspicuous wearing it!

Have also had a Rab deep cover parka in the past that I would recommend!

Another vote for the Seasalt Janelle coat. They have 20% off on their website at the moment. It's not as warm as they claim it is but mine is roomy enough to add a jumper underneath and that makes it very cosy (and more versatile as it doesn't have to be freezing cold for me to wear it). It's brilliant in the rain, keeps me totally dry.

I have a dry robe for when I go swimming and paddle boarding. I wouldn't wear it as a coat because it's far too bulky to be practical. It's brilliant for what it is - a changing robe.

Maybe Gen Z/Alpha will adopt the Dryrobe like they did the Croc!

I live in the SW we live in Dry Robes from October to March- I don’t care if I look ugly or whatever - mine is toasty warm great for doing horses, dog walks, standing around at rugby etc

The info says it’s water-resistant. If it chucks it down, it’s not going to keep you properly dry.

I bough Regatta ones for my family and they were so thin, shit quality plasticky sounding when they moved. I then bought Beach Bum ones and they’re much thicker.

My only issue stopping me getting one is that there is nothing natural in them so the warmth level likely won’t be high. It’s just a fleecy shell (when compared to my down-filled north face parka).

I wear one to walk to to work in the rain. I'm in the south west too. It's the only coat I've found long enough to keep most of my legs dry. It ys extremely hideous though and I do feel rather wanky wearing it but warm and dry which is better than sitting at work soaked.