Quality waterproof coat - which is the best one on a £80 - £200 budget ? Ilse Jacobsen, Seasalt, Joules?

[cloudspotter]

I've finally decided to invest in a hard wearing rain coat, after years of sticking with pac-a-mac type cagoules from Asda/Primary. I want to invest in something better for two reasons:

1. Sick of getting soaked to the skin
2. Have reached an age and seniority at work where it's not acceptable to look like a bag lady. At my weight and height I just can't carry off a lightweight mac any more. My younger colleagues are v glamorous and I think I need to raise my game.

So, justification aside, does anyone have any experience/recommendations?

I've seen a nice looking duffel style from Seasalt, and also fancy Ilse Jacobsen because I love their wellies.

Didriksons by a mile. Joules are not waterproof. Nor are seasalt. When I say waterproof I mean living in Cornwall and getting totally soaked on the school run most days.My Didriksons coat from MA Griggs down here is amazing, flattering, and I wear it to the office after the school run.

Totally agree with Chic that Didricksons are far the best - they are comfortable (and for serious weather gear) stylish, and cope splendidly with very wet and windy Scottish weather. Hoggs of Fife sell them, so do Laws of Kirkudbright www.lawskirkcudbright.co.uk. A wide range of Didricksons coats - sometimes including sale bargains - is stocked by Swedish online retailer Outnorth www.outnorth.com There is an English version of the Outnorth website and I've always found them very quick and efficient.

Awesome tips both! Chicinwellies, that is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm sick of raincoats that get soaking wet and absorb loads of water.

Thanks for the links florascotianew. Really useful.

How do you find the sizes - big, small, average?

I have a joules one that is advertised as "right as rain" and it is absolutely waterproof. It's prob the best waterproof I've ever had.

I can check confirm that Joules are indeed waterproof. We don't have Cornish rain here but I assure you, it's as wet as your rain

And I can assure you that Ilse Jacobsen are NOT waterproof. They are up to a point, and then they get sodden and you get wet. Not worth the money.

I have a seasalt raincoat and it is very waterproof. Although it's quite thin it also keeps out the wind and with a warm jumper underneath is fine in all but absolutely freezing weather. I like it because it comes down to just above my knee as well keeping the tips of my legs dry. Definitely worth the £120 I paid for it.

And I can assure you that isle Jacobsen are waterproof. Unless you're diving in them, of course.

Trollspoop mine isn't. Maybe I should contact them, as I haven't washed it or done anything weird with it. It's about 2 years old, and doesn't even begin to compare with my 30year old Barbour. Very disappointing.

My Joules coast jacket is waterproof - agree with itslikerain that it's the best one I've ever had....it's just that everyone else is wearing them

I have a Joules waterproof and it is dire. Leaks on the arms.
Would never buy from them again.

Didrikson all the way here too. I had t heard of them until I read about them on here. I got one last year and I'm really pleased with it. Stylish, big hood, waterproof, plenty of pockets and warm.

Thanks, OP.
Here is Didrikson's own size chart www.didriksons.com/en-gb/help/size-charts/#size-chart-women

I think that the coats are cut with moderately tall (nice long sleeves!) but not particularly curvy people in mind, if that makes sense. The streamlined cut is one of the things that makes them look good. Other people have said that they order up one size; I would agree.

The size you choose also depends on what you plan to wear underneath them, of course, and whether you like clothes to be roomy or to have a very sleek and buttoned-up feeling.

Both my Seasalt coats are properly waterproof - I live in Wales and they stand up to heavy, heavy rain and are breathable! I love my Didriksons too but have a winter parka from them which is too heavy for Autumn / Spring torrential rain.

By those measurements I'd be drowning in a Didrikson (5'2", usually 8 or 10 but leg measurements 10cm longer than my usual -presume arms would be equally long)
Considering a seasalt one (tiller) as looks like a better fit

Lots of food for thought here. I have researched the Didrikson, and I'm not sure it's quite what I had in mind.

Plus dh has pointed out that I don't do a lot of walking outdoors in the rain. I live in London and drive to work.

I just want something that's more robust than a pac-a-mac, and I'm sick of "raincoats" that get sodden in the first splash of rain.

The main complication is that I'm definitely not a straight up and down fit, I've got massive boobs. I can never button anything up on the boobs so will have to get a size 24 just to be on the safe side. In bravissimo I'm a size 16 really curvy.

A lot of the coats looked like a slim fit and I'd like something that feels "swingy" and roomy, so I can get a jumper on underneath.

I'm getting on well with my Barbour stratus waterproof - nice and light but def copes with heavy rain. I'm a 14/16, big hips and boobs
www.barbour.com/Categories/Womens/Waterproof-Jackets/c/womens-waterproofjackets

Lifeofpies, I could kick myself. I saw a lovely yellow Barbour in the House of Fraser sale, reduced by 50%, but decided not to buy it.

That's what started me off looking for a better quality one.

I think the Seasalt Long Seafolly is the style I've got fixed in my head now. I like the duffel coat style, although maybe a bit casual for work.....

I've got a Seasalt one. Definitely waterproof just wish it was a longer style.

Cloudspotter - I've got a very generous chest and Seasalt are very accommodating. I wouldn't have thought you'd need to size up that much as the rest of the coat will swamp you.

Watching with interest! I've got a north face at the moment which is watertight despite several washes but want something new

I've got a thin Seasalt and it soaks up water, never got caught in a proper downpour in it so not sure how long it would keep me dry but I'm not confident in it. I've got a 20 year old gore-tex coat which does the job far better, but doesn't look very smart.

Joules so make waterproof coats. I have a very good one. Not all their coats are waterproof though - read the garment details for "water proof" rather than "shower proof" or "water resistant". The same is true for Seasalt.

It may be worth looking at Patagonia or Rohan - both outdoor/mountaineering brands who do a smarter/city/travel range using technical fabrics.

I believe the Isle Jacobsen coats are largely softshell, which is not waterproof, but a very good compromise of bulk, warmth and water resistance.

Not that I spend a lot of time outdoors....

My protected species Mac is smart and 100% waterproof- it's made of amazing material