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.

Are the Didriksons really long then? I'm only 5'2 so looks like they'd drown me. The thing I really need is a coat with a hood that stays up on my head instead of flopping down over my eyes. It's all well and good being dry but it's not great if you can't see!

I will second Protected Species mac as a waterproof but smart coat, I love mine!

I think I may have to take a run down to MA Griggs to try some on as the size chart is confusing me... it is pouring here. Thanks, Chic for suggesting them.

Just returned from Griggs, the proud owner of not one but two new Didrikson coats for wet, wet weather, one (green) for the cold and the other for the rest of the year in navy. Both for under £200. I wanted to check size before buying as the website was quite vague.

How did you find the sizing?

Both my seasalt costs keep me dry, but take a while to dry themselves, as they're made of cotton. Definitely roomy.

I just bought a Rains curve rainjacket yesterday, it's lovely.

www.rains.com/products/curve-jacket?variant=30390530433

Stood up pretty well on a heavy downpour on the schoolrun yeterday! It's not lined so if you live somewhere very blustery maybe look at their parkas.

I'm 5'5" and a large High Street size 10, sometimes 12, or even larger if I want a slouchy fit. I bought the coats in the smallest size (36) and I kept my leather gilet on while I tried them to make sure there was room for a proper sweater underneath. The length is to the top of my knee and the sleeves are pretty close to perfect, maybe a bit longer than I need. The hoods are big and the storm guards are positively Eskimo-like but I shall wear the all seasons version today to walk SockDog.

Cad186, I hope this is helpful. I'd say they start at a 10 but I was confused by the website measurements, hence the excursion. I'm no dainty fairy being solidly muscled and quite busty.

I have a Noronna jacket which is waterproof and we'll designed the hood is fab especially as I cycle it needs to stay put. Looks good too. Bought in sale for £200

I love my protected species coat
www.protected-species.com/

Agree with Protected Species recommendations. Love mine. I have the parka.

I had a Barbour but find it very uncomfortable to wear as it makes me sweat buckets. My friend had the same problem with hers too. I now have a joules raina (I think that's the name) which is absolutely fantastic. I got caught in a really heavy downpour on the school run on Monday and everything covered by the coat was bone dry.

Rains DK or Stutterheim are v waterproof as they're that rubbery pvc material. Not v warm tho in winter. I have a similar one from Lands End but quite short so get wet thighs

Do you find protected species warm enough to wear in winter? Doesn't look very warm in the photos

Wax jacket! Classic, indestructible and warm!

Thanks OC! I have just ordered two to try in the sale so fingers crossed!

I bought a danefae coat based on a recommendation from a mumsnetter and it's brilliant. Waterproof and warm (I have a winter one) with a good hood on it. They do quite a few a-line coats, although I'm not sure how generous they are on the bust (I'm a pear).

danefae.dk/women/overtoj/rain-jackets.html#page=1

The website is terrible but delivery and returns were quick and straightforward.

I paid £69 for my Seasalt tincloth waterproof coat. It's amazing. I have a 1 hour school run 6 times a week to do and it inevitably rains. This coat is totally waterproof, windproof, the hood stays up and I love the pattern. I had to size down though as my normal size was massive.

I live on the coast, and my Joules one has withstood a lot of storms and rain. Oh, and I'm also a curvy 16 at the moment...

Thanks for all the many tips and recommendations.

It was a birthday present so I went shopping today so I could try some on for fit. That pretty much ruled out Didriksons fur now although I might seek them out in future.

I went round a couple of department stores and managed to try on Ilse Jacobsen, Seasalt, Barbour and Joules.

I'm a big size 18 (feel horrifically fat atm, another story, another day), so pretty limited choice.

The one that looked the best by miles was the Ilse Jacobsen raincoat because it is shaped at the waist and a slightly longer fit.

So I plumped for that one. If rain-worthiness was the main consideration I think I would have gone for one of the rubberised fabric ones, but this will be splashproof I hope.

Very happy. Thank you for all the ideas!

Ooh, one more comment, if it helps anyone else looking for a coat. I tried on all the Seasalt types and they made me feel much bulkier. I suspect they are gorgeous on a taller, slimmer silhouette, but I needed the shaping of a female fit. Also I realised the mustard colour I had desperately wanted was just not for me after trying it against my skin.

I find that they work for me because I am an apple with a narrow back and short arms. I have fab legs, in comparison to the rest of me, though, so like snuggling in my tiller coat with skinny jeans on. I moved into that from my bowsprit jacket, this week because it's bloody cold waiting for ds2 to come out of school.

I have a massive berghaus parka for proper winter storms. Very windproof and warm.

lol, LadyintheRadiator, I'm quite a bit bigger than I've ever been and so I probably feel worse than it is. I did find the Ilse Jacobsen one creates a bit more of a normal looking shape.

With my boobs, stomach and hips, the straight-sided macs (which may have been swingy on a narrower figure) made me feel/look like a big beach ball.

And PickaChew, I will add Berghaus into the Didrikson category when I lose a bit of weight and am up for more outdoor walks!!!!