Tell me about your most practical A/W coat

[BooksAndChooks]

Apologies if this has been done to death.

I would like a practical A/W coat. I have enough dressy coats, this is more for standing in the rain at school pick ups etc. I would still like to look reasonably smart whilst being warm and dry. It is tipping it down here today and I have nothing suitable.

What are you all wearing and loving?

Didriksons Parka. Massive hood and long length to keep you bone dry. Brilliant big pockets and smart extra details like soft cuffs, zip covers and high necks which makes it really comfy. Pricey brand new but totally worth it. I got mine second hand but still in good condition I've had it for 4 winters already and I would expect it to last me about the same again. If I were ever to replace I would totally justify the cost to buy new.

Agreeing with the PP above, I've got a Didriksons raincoat and it's smart enough to wear to work as well as walking the dog. The cut is lovely and it doesn't give you that horrible sweaty sauna feel when you're wearing as the fabric is so nice.

I've also got a Seasalt Plant Hunter coat, that is the warmest loveliest coat I've ever worn. It's almost to the top of my knees so I can wear with wellies and still stay dry. They're generously sized though - so I'd recommend sizing down one size.

Seasalt plant hunter

North Face Arctic Parka... I am looking forward (!) to winter no. 3 in mine.
I had compromised on it about 5 years ago, and bought a cheap and cheerful padded parka. Which was fine. I think it's Vero Moda brand.
In winter 2020 (remember peak Covid?) I decided to get the North Face one with my Christmas present money.

It is the business.
Warm (oh so snuggly, not sweaty).
Knee length.
Absolutely drenching shower proof. I stood in a queue for about 40minutes, in pouring rain, outside a vaccine centre. My feet were a little squelchy, as my chelsea boots were not quite up to the challenge. But, I was warm, and dry.
Nice deep pockets, and the internal pocket is large enough to store a full size wallet. I can go without a handbag if needed.
It hasn't needed a wash, so I cant comment on that. But it remains as waterproof as new.
Mine is black, so it's anonymous, and won't win style points. Nobody ever comments "nice coat".
But, that is not what I got it for.
I wanted something for sitting in car collecting from sports, scouts, study, cinema. Something to allow me to walk around town without needing umbrellas or a hand to hold a wool coat closed.
If it were to die in a fire, or get lost, or be stolen, or whatever, I would replace it.

Found a Didrikson parka in a charity shop for £15. Genuinely best thing I've ever found in a charity shop! It's so warm. I'd been looking at buying one anyway, just struck it lucky.

For walking the dogs, I have a Joules Coast one with a furry lining that I bought 2nd hand from eBay. It's brilliant - a big hood, deep pockets and waterproof. It's huge too, so you can wear a big jumper underneath if required.

I also love my Barbour waxed cotton jackets. I have a parka from there which has a decent hood too, which is great because I find that their 'normal' waxed jacket hoods are quite short so I can't really fit in all of my massive hair!

Another Didrikson fan here. Mine is ten years old and still in good condition. Slightly faded from black and fabric cuffs that are looking shabby but it's had a hard life of snow/ rain/ dogwalks. I bought a shiny new one last year as well so I had a smart parka for work and they've improved the pockets!

The only thing I'd say about Didrikson is I'm tall 5 11" and they fit well so if you're a bit short you may struggle.

Crane waxed jacket. No lining, so I can wear it in the rain in Sept without overheating, but roomy enough to layer a jumper underneath if needed. And it is waterproof and breathes as it's not plastic.

No hood, but hoods never stay on my head anyway so I wear a hat!

I bought this Trespass parka last year and I love it. Can't wait to be able to wear it again, it's a proper old fashioned parka and so warm it actually feels as if it's heated like an electric blanket

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trespass-Waterproof-Concealable-XX-Small-2X-Small/dp/B01KHUJK7G/ref=ascdff_B01KHUJK7G/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309862982580&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5107952829159842150&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007147&hvtargid=pla-564820803985&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Didriksons parka, 100%. Unbelievably good.

ITA with pp - Didrikson parka! Warmest coat I have ever owned!

I should have said, I am short, about 5 ft 3. Do you think the Didriksons Parka would be too long?

You should be okay @BooksAndChooks . I'm 5'5" and mine is just above my knees. It's warm and waterproof.

Thank you.

I saw a woman in an apple green raincoat today, and it was super stylish and looked waterproof, and so elegant

North 66 vegan parka, it's got me through winter holidays in the Baltics, Iceland and Sweden.

Should have said it's for super cold weather. I have a Norona hooded jacket which I've had for a few years and quality is excellent. Bought in the sale

For autumn / winter I’ve just bought a sweaty Betty Stride waterproof coat! It’s not too hot and lots of room for warm jumpers underneath!

Northface Arctic parka. Still looks as good as new. Probably it’s 3rd winter. My second coat as my first one I sold due to weight loss, still got a good price on eBay.

waterproof, warm, lovely pockets, nipped in waist and a great length.

Only thing is I would say too warm unless it’s quite cold!

I bought a Joules Canterbury coat in their sale for 35 pounds, not worn it yet but its well made. I wanted something more practical but fairly smart looking.

I have lots of dressy coats but nothing much for everyday wear apart from a parka I use for dogwalking.

Sizes come up big though I ordered a size bigger to allow for jumpers etc but it's a little too big but I will keep anyway

Schoffel Shooting jacket. I bought it for shooting but now wear it constantly in the winter. Relatively smart, It has three tech layer,s totally waterproof, warm enough for shooting in the Highlands in snow. Probably not ideal for city suburbs but anywhere else, it's brilliant.

www.philipmorrisdirect.co.uk/schoffel-mens-teal-ultralight-shooting-coat/

This was my favourite North face. Lasted 6 years as a smart coat and dog walking….worn pretty much every day in the winter…now it’s more of a dog walking coat and I’m thinking of replacing….

You can get Didriksons in different lengths. Mine is mid thigh ish on me at 5'7 so might be a good knee length on you.

There's a few different styles and I'd go for one that's waterproof but not thickly padded as it will be too warm much of the time. You can layer up if it's very cold - I wear a jumper or even a packable down jacket under mine if it's very cold.

I don’t think there’s one coat covering that for A/W. I bought this Barbour * house of hackney raincoat for autumn this year. I also have an arctic parka by woolrich which is waterproof and very warm which Ive used for a few winters. I couldn’t imagine wearing the same thing in September and January and think you are getting a mix of suggestions across seasons.