Hooded macs (Boden vs Happy Rainy Days)

[Laquila]

Boden have the Rainy Day Mac in clearance at the mo but only in the Graphite Owl Print in my size. Now it might be sweetly whimsical, but I'm not usually one for animals, or indeed whimsy, on clothing...but it's only £65.

On the other hand, Happy Rainy Days have lovely plain neutral hooded trenches (I'd probably go for navy or beige) but at twice the price.

Has anyone had both and how do they compare? I need a fairly big hood and want it to be showerproof but not necessarily that warm - I have a Didriksons Taylor for winter - this would be for now through to autumn.

[Laquila]

Just updating - the HRD trenches are nice but not quite right. The sleeves are weirdly big and the fabric is quite rustley - I guess that's the downside of waterproof, though. They're quite lightweight. I'm a 12-14 and the L size was a tiny bit big for me - would probably have been ok TBH other than the voluminous sleeves!

I think what I'm after is a hooded trench that's made of something almost like a lightweight neoprene-type fabric -does such a thing exist?!

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

I wrote Mac, actually I meant what they call a rain jacket

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

I have a happy rainy days Mac..had it for 4 or 5 years...still looks like new, people stop me in the street / shops to say how nice it is and ask where they could get one
I think the sizing is big though..its me and a very big thick jumper and still in my size iyswim..its washed well too...I did spray it with waterproofing spray this winter though as it was no longer completely dry..and its worked brilliantly.
Boden are too short in the arm for me, and close up much çheaper looking and very drab by comparison.

[FranHastings]

I totally get that. There's a mix of functional and slightly more fancy on that page. Whether any of them are suitable is another matter! 😁. Good luck in your search.

[Laquila]

Thanks Frans and Madonna. I have a Didriksons Taylor parka and it's bloody brilliant, but I'm after something a bit less practical-looking, IYKWIM! Will have a look in Viking Kids though. Coincidentally I'm watching series 3 of Vikings as we speak!

[TheFallenMadonna]

I have a Didrikson parka. Not what you are after, but fantastic. Recommend the make.

[FranHastings]

^ you can only use the code once per order though.

[FranHastings]

There are some reduced here inc. Skogstad and Didriksons : www.vikingkids.co.uk/waterproofs.htm#ladies-rain-coats and you get a further 25% off sales prices with the code 74YHG .

[Branleuse]

well neither of my boden rainy day macs leak. I really like mine

[TheFallenMadonna]

Apart from length. Length is much better than Boden for me (5 11).

[TheFallenMadonna]

The fabric is not particularly shiny. Sizing is smaller then Boden.

[BikeRunSki]

I've been admiring a school mum's Isle Jacobsen raincoat recently.

[pointyshoes]

I'm a fairly standard size 10 - the S hrd fits perfectly. I'm 5'3" so got the petite length, but think the standard fit would have been OK too.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

HRD sizing is about standard - their sizechart seems a bit off (so they do s, m etc, translate it to a UK size) but then give measurements which don't really go - I just went for my usual size.

[RoobyTuesday]

I have just bought a seasalt Kellifray today and it's lovely - it's a great length and feels and looks very good quality. Worn it out today in the rain and it's definitely waterproof. It's also a nice fitted style.

[RoobyTuesday]

I have just bought a seasalt Kellifray today and it's lovely - it's a great length and feels and looks very good quality. Worn it out today in the rain and it's definitely waterproof. It's also a nice fitted style.

[seefeld]

I've got a raincoat from Rains, it's a Danish brand: www.rainsuk.com

[Laquila]

Thanks very much all. I agree it's something worth spending money on - it's bloody miserable being soggy!

How's the HRD sizing for the trenchcoats?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I've got a couple from happy rainy days, one mac and I think the other us their winter coat. Really pleased with them, hoods are a good size and they're very rain and wind proof.

[Djangor]

I have a Seasalt Kellifray which is my weekend raincoat & has kept me bone dry for years & is brilliant for cycling in too. It has a great cotton lining but the outside is a little bit nylony & its also only thigh length so not smart enough & doesn't give adequate coverage for my long walk to & from work & I have a Rohan long hooded raincoat for that which was expensive but looks & feels great & was well worth the money. I seem to live in raincoats for about 80% of the year nowadays so, I am like Floisme, as spending more on them has been one of my best ever buying decisions.

[Floisme]

I can't advise on brands as I've never owned a decent raincoat in my life. But I've promised myself that the next time I buy one, I'm going to spend whatever I can afford to get it right. I probably wear them more than any other item - apart form my specs - and it's just not worth skimping.

[pointyshoes]

I have a happy rainy days plain trench (black, but I wanted the stone colour really). It is completely waterproof, but looks just like an ordinary trench. The hood rolls away into the collar when you're not using it. I 'm really pleased with it as its hard to get something properly waterproof which doesn't look too hiking/activity-esque.
So I've ended up wearing this much more than I anticipated.

[Laquila]

Madonna the Aigle one is lovely - what's the fabric finish like - is it shiny? How does the sizing come up? Found it for £159 online and am willing (ish...) to pay for something properly waterproof with a nice big hood.

I do like the Joules one, Balkan, but am not sure the pink trim would suit me. And I'm trying to get away from my beloved Breton stripes!!

I might order from Happy Rainy Days and send back if not right.

[Laquila]

Oh FGS.

Hit = but
Over implicating = overcomplicating

[Laquila]

Seasalt have some nice coats hit I'm overwhelmed but the various styles - talk about over implicating a classic. What's their best lightweight Spring/Summer longish-length anorak?