I need a smart but practical coat now I'm back out in the world

[RockStarMartini]

Now that face to face meetings are happening again I need a coat or jacket for Spring. I need to look semi-smart but often I'm travelling by train and walking to wherever I'm going so also something that is waterproof and not too heavy.

I've completely lost track of what is appropriate or would look nice or where might sell it after not doing this for a couple of years - help please!

What is your budget?

Good question! I don't want to spend loads as I'm hoping to lose some weight and not fit into whatever I buy next year! So maybe £100 max?

Well, what kinds of outfit will you be wearing it with? What is your workwear like? I'd suggest quite different coats depending on whether you were wearing it with wide-legged trousers and brogues, or a dress and heels...

Sorry I should have given more information...I work in a creative role so I don't dress especially smartly but a decent coat pulls it all together a bit (hopefully). I'd be unlikely to wear a dress or heels, more likely loose trousers or jeans with a blouse and flat boots or smart trainers.

Hope that's a bit more to go on.

Cos have a lot of lightweight relatively waterproof quilted coats (I have one myself with a hood which does fine for the walk of a mile or so to get to work/drop DS at school, but probably wouldn't deal with a big downpour), slouchy car coats and trenches of various types. If you need properly waterproof, there's the Protected Species trenches? Also a lot of slouchy blazers around?

I have the burnt red Protected Species trench and, while it isn’t warm, it’s waterproof, goes with a lot & makes me feel very pulled together.

They are more than your budget but regularly do 20-25% off. I’m a size 14 currently and the 12-14 has fit me as a small 12 and then a small 16 after pregnancy, both with layers underneath.

I’ve got a lovely Sweaty Betty coat, this one in Dove Beige. It’s smart enough for my work (I’m smart-casual) and it’s waterproof, very lightweight. I’m tall so this style works for me but some of the more petite reviewers say it swamps them.

www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/excursion-waterproof-parka-SB6622_DoveBeige.html

They have a few more simple designs as well, like:

www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/mission-waterproof-parka-SB6171RET_OxfordBlue.html

www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/excursion-waterproof-parka-SB6622_DarkForestGreen.html

I think they’re plain enough for work whilst not looking too practical/boring.

You could also look at Rains:

www.uk.rains.com/collections/jackets-women

Or Stutterheim:

stutterheim.com/uk/shop-woman/

Both do simple raincoats in lots of different colours.

@Amelion

I’ve got a lovely Sweaty Betty coat, this one in Dove Beige. It’s smart enough for my work (I’m smart-casual) and it’s waterproof, very lightweight. I’m tall so this style works for me but some of the more petite reviewers say it swamps them.

www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/excursion-waterproof-parka-SB6622_DoveBeige.html

They have a few more simple designs as well, like:

www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/mission-waterproof-parka-SB6171RET_OxfordBlue.html

www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/excursion-waterproof-parka-SB6622_DarkForestGreen.html

I think they’re plain enough for work whilst not looking too practical/boring.

You could also look at Rains:

www.uk.rains.com/collections/jackets-women

Or Stutterheim:

stutterheim.com/uk/shop-woman/

Both do simple raincoats in lots of different colours.

I love that parka, @Amelion, but glancing at the reviews, people complain it's enormous, even the smaller size, and that the 'batwing' type sleeves are very short and make it impossible to wear a backpack with it -- did you find any of this stuff an issue?

Thanks, I think the Sweaty Betty one would be a bit unflattering although I generally like their stuff. I love the Protected Species ones but they are a little bit out of my budget - just what I want though, cool, minimal and modern.

For some reason the Rains and Stutterheim ones feel too plain and minimal to justify the price but I didnt know either brand so thanks for the pointer.

I like Jack Wolfskin Park Avenue Jacket I can't seem to post the link. Over budget but warm, waterproof and has a hood if necessary.

Hi @Grinling. So it is definitely oversized but it’s what I expected from the photos of the model.

I’m 5 ft 11 and size 8 and I’ve got the XS/S. I can see on a petite person it would swamp them but I love how it fits on me - it looks internationally oversized but not too much. I always get compliments on it!

In terms of wearing a bag, I wear mine with a relaxed backpack with long straps and it’s fine but cos it is oversized you wouldn’t want to wear a backpack with tight straps cos it would bunch up weirdly IYSWIM.

Hi OP, trench coats are back in fashion. They go with all outfits. Especially great with wide leg trousers, or jeans, and midi dresses. Look for ideas of how to style them on Pinterest or Instagram. My next coat purchase will be one.

You can dress up or down - I plan to wear mine with wide leg trousers and a T-shirt, or over s must dress to meet friends.

I have other rain coats but I think none of them work in a ‘wearing to work’ professional look.

These look a bit eye watering ly expensive but you can usually rely on a discount code for at least the first purchase if you register, look and then don't buy immediately.

Beautiful fabric and cut, genuinely waterproof

https://www.protected-species.com

I think a trench is the answer, just need to decide what colour - thinking olive or grey 🤔

@Amelion

Hi *@Grinling*. So it is definitely oversized but it’s what I expected from the photos of the model.

I’m 5 ft 11 and size 8 and I’ve got the XS/S. I can see on a petite person it would swamp them but I love how it fits on me - it looks internationally oversized but not too much. I always get compliments on it!

In terms of wearing a bag, I wear mine with a relaxed backpack with long straps and it’s fine but cos it is oversized you wouldn’t want to wear a backpack with tight straps cos it would bunch up weirdly IYSWIM.

That’s good to hear — I do love what it looks like, but I’m only 5 ft 6.

Another vote for Protected Species. Buy when they offer a discount, they are beautiful and I echo the comments on the trench being a good flexible fit, I too have the 12-14 and it’s kind to a bit of lockdown weight that won’t disappear without me doing anything about it

Customer service is excellent, they hunted down the last coat in the colour I wanted for me.

I’ve just managed to get a brand new Hobbs petite trench coat off eBay for £86, they retail at £180 normally. It’s a beautiful cut and looks amazing on. I’d recommend eBay for a nearly new / new trench coat !