Is there such a thing as a cool/stylish waterproof jacket?!

[runner2]

Going on holiday and need a lightweight waterproof but I cringe at the thought of an anorak/cagoule-type jacket. I bought a North Face jacket a few years ago that was quite expensive but it's a bit on the heavy side and it's red, which was a mistake...should have gone for black. So I've hardly worn it. Any suggestions, please?

I have a north face, a seasalt and a joules. They are all waterproof, but none are stylish. The north face is the lightest and will pack into the smallest space. The joules is 'fun', but that doesn't mean I love it either. I do however love being dry and not having to carry a brolly.

look at the brand 'rains' on ASOS they are really stylish ((www.asos.com/rains/rains-waterproof-jacket/prd/7692004?clr=black&SearchQuery=rains+jacket&pgesize=34&pge=0&totalstyles=34&gridsize=4&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=3))

This! www.protected-species.com/shop/

I wore mine in the pouring Scottish rain last week - literally was sopping wet except where it covered where I was bone dry. And so stylish. In love with it.

How lightweight are the Joules Coast jackets? I got a Boden mac thing which is fine, looks nice, but is quite stiff and heavy so was going to begrudgingly get a North Face anorak or similar!

Patagonia ones are very cool in a sporty way but also way more than £45.

I would buy an outdoors brand because then it will then actually be waterproof and breathable and you will just look like a person who wants to keep dry rather somebody who is failing at looking stylish.

I got mine from Cotton Traders, it's very light.

These ones: stutterheim.com/uk

I got a pale grey one in Uniqlo which is shaped and fitted

I bought a long Seasalt coat in black - not jacket - in the JL sale when it started. It's more of a parka thing, and like floisme I don't love it, but I have a 30 minute walk to and from work and live in Scotland. I also have a bright yellow sou'wester jacket from Warehouse which is waterproof and v cheering.

you won't get proper waterproof for £45. Water-resistant, water-repellent, showerproof, maybe. Properly waterproof -not at that price.

I also have a Warehouse sou'wester-style, mine's navy with white trim. Haven't tried it yet. I also got a Fatface one, which I'm afraid does rather make me look like I'm trying and failing to look stylish, and didn't really keep me dry in the recent downpours.

Been eyeing up the Protected Species mac for several months but couldn't justify it but it's half price at the moment so now....It's on its way.

Lighthouse have some quite stylish ones

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no no no no no. I clicked on that Protected Species link and I may have just seen the coat I've been looking for all my life:

A waterproof mac that has shape and a hood. Can this be true? Half price as well.
I even like the red and I hate raincoats in cheery colours.

Please tell me it's not warm too?

As I said upthread, I called off the search a few months ago and bought a Seasalt in the sales. So now I am trapped in a loveless marriage.

@hellotoyellow
I don't know whether to kiss you or try to get you banned. That mac is gorgeous. I need one don't I?

Following

I've just ordered it It's nearly pay day and I had to see it if nothing else. Hopefully it won't be right and I can settle back down with my Seasalt.

Damn you Style and Beauty. Damn you to hell.

I don't/can't blame you; I clicked on the parka and only the fact that it is out of stock has saved me. But I did leave an address so they could tell me when it comes back into stock. Please tell us what you think when it arrives!

I have a lightweight one from uniqlo just basic but scrunched up small and looks good comes in loads of colours about £29 water just runs off it

I will

I'm hovering over the paypal button as we speak . The two shorter coats I've only just bought are for high summer wear, aren't they? Whereas the PS one I can wear all through autumn and spring as well! Oh gawd!

I have this from New Look - really lovely and lightweight and I get loads compliments when I wear it - www.newlook.com/shop/womens/jackets-and-coats/pink-matte-anorak_527270972 comes in a few colours

@turtlewoman do you think that's smart enough for work/over a dress or will it look mad?

I have spent a LOT of time looking into this over the past few years. My conclusion is that the best compromise between waterproofness, style (hah!), price and function is something like the Didrikson's Ida in black. However, I can only now find it for £150, ad I got it a year or two back for £75, which was more sensible.

Boden rainwear is, IME, not very waterproof and also overly jaunty. Seasalt and Joules are more waterproof, I think, but still not really neutral enough for me.

I've looked at the Protected Species stuff before and quite taken with it...also with the RAINS designs but they're quite pricey.

It has to be said that time and time again I come back to my black lightweight Peter Storm jacket, which is just sporty enough to look like you're not trying to look stylish (which is sometimes more stylish than actual allegedly-flattering rainwear) but by so much that you look like you should be doing actual sport. Which I very rarely am.