Can we widen the raincoat search as Anchovy also needs some help?

[Anchovy]

OK - this is my dilema. Wear suits to work - black trouser suits mainly. I also cycle from the station to the office - say 15 mins. My current mac is a rather nice sportif little lightweight Jaeger number - sort of mid thigh trench in black. But it does not do up (its a sort of wrap over style) and isn't really waterproof. (So all in all not really a success as a mac in the technical sense )

If I am going to carry on cycling, I need something that actually does up and is at the very least properly showerproof. I don't want a goretex type thing - it has to go over a suit, so really needs to be a shorty trenchy type thing.

Any ideas, stylistas?

Really haven't researched this suggestion properly - just glimpsed it in a shop window yesterady - but looks like Muji might have something potentially suitable...

dh got my dd a lovely short trenchy navy raincoat from Zara last year - don't know if there's anything similar this year? It would be the perfect length for cycling and it was really smart - I used to borrow it until she objected.

Yes you could certainly try the Muji-cut-to-length raincoat - it's at very least an entertaining gimmick. And minimal outlay.

I've just had a look at the Muji ones on line. I think they are going to be too cheap - sort of glorified cagoule. Really I'm looking for a mac that will then see me through the day, going to meetings etc.

We are just going smart casual at work (yikes!) but I'm not sure that a ragged edge cagoule was what they had in mind!

I do know there are other ones in Muji though - I was shopping in there the other day (and highly recommend their round necked long sleeved t shirts in neutral colours) so will revisit.

I like Zara as well - bought a couple of very nice plain scoop necked jumpers there last week so should revisit.

Any more "high end" suggestions?

Our rather glamorous fashion editor recommends a rain hat

a short trench would be lovely, have you tried house of fraser? their sort of thing.

is this too long? certainly higher end of the market!

Ah, MI, to go above or below my rather fetching matte black helmet?

The cost of the ones she likes you'd have to wear over everything.

I slink past her desk in my Millet's cagoule

Fishiapankhurst - yes, too long I think. Also just says it is made of cotton, so may not be showerproof.

Should I get one of those waterproof poncho things?

I got a waterproof in gap, similar to what you describe, not tied at the waist, might be worth a look, very lightweight, so not warm... it was in the sale, so quite cheap... I cycle in it, but as a sahm I am not too worried about looking very smart....

can I be nosy and ask whether you take a fold up bike on the train?

I am pondering incorporating a bit of cycling into my journey - if I can be arsed but I'm not sure I'm even allowed the bike on the train (and do you cycle in your suit?).

Don't shoot me for extravagant suggestions but.......

about 6 years ago when I was single and earning a lot, I lost my head and bought a burberry knee length trench mac. The only check you can see if IF you turn the cuffs up. Its navy blue (as I was then wearing mainly blue trouser suits to work). I think they do black too. It cost an absurd amount of money but I have worn it pretty much all year round since and it is still going strong...........

Look, this is showerproof: toast trench and this too rain jacket. From Jaeger to Toast not too much of a stretch?

Remember you can make a cotton jacket showerproof by using Nikwax - either wash-in or spray on.

FIS: I bought a cheap bike from ebay - about £85. It is a folder, but only in the sense that it hinges in the middle. Even folded, it is huge and unwieldy. I got a cheap one so that if it got nicked it was not the end of the world, but has been fine so far.

I cycle between Waterloo and the office and tend to leave it at Waterloo over night (we have bike parking in the office for during the day). You can take folders on the trains, but I don't because my train is so packed in the morning I would never get this bike on. I tend to leave it at the office over the weekend.

I am absolutely loving it and it has improved my commute about 1000 per cent.

Rain is a bugger though - not sure what I will do over the winter.

this one's nice

Re high end: I spent a shocking amount on a reversible rainjacket from Aquascutum, but in cost-per-wear (ie daily, year-round) it's doing rather well. And it's managing to be quite robust.

(The reverse is to gorgeous rough wild silk, in silver.)

High end suggestion for lovely raincoat would be MaxMara - once dd banned me from borrowing hers I bought my own - but I think it would be too long for cycling - I wouldn't want to risk getting the bottom caught in the spokes.

All v helpful, thanks.

I always think Max Mara is for tall people, Mrs W, and I am short (note, note petite, just short).

I would never in a squillion years have thought of Burberry, but agree that it could make sense. I'm sort of not too fussed re expense as I will get a huge amount of wear out of the right chic plain black mac.

I am trying to be "continental" about my cycling and reclaim it from being the sole domain of the lycra and fluorescent clad. i really do not think I need a goretex anorak to cycle a mile and a half on a flat surface twice a day!

Honestly, it so doesn't scream Burberry - I only have to turn the cuffs up because I am such a short arse. The belted Burberry trench (currently wearing unbelted as 5 months pregnant) over trouser suit is tres chic I think. And the length is good for me (am 5 4). Comes to my knees. No prob on a bicycle.

let us not forget the Aquascutum outlets at Bicester and Swindon...

saw while flicking through the telegraph fashion pages (online) that Uniqlo have a cheap showerproof trench (£59) - worth a look unless you are seduced by Burberry.

Ooh - am quite partial to Uniqlo - have a fantastic "dry fit" running top from Uniqlo in Tokyo (bit of Uniqlo one-upmanship there!)

Am nowhere near outlet stores, tant pis!