Waterproof coat / jacket that won't make me look like I'm going rambling

[wintersprinter81]

I love rambling, but only on holiday! In my daily life I live in a city and teach in HE so can wear casual but like to look on trend / stylish whatever if possible!

What coat / outerwear shall I buy for this AW that will be waterproof for soggy commutes but also look good with an outfit and not like a camping kagool. I can only invest in one item so I'm torn between parkas, Barbour style things or something else! Needs a hood.

Have you looked at Sweaty Betty, lululemon, Joules, Seasalt, etc?

Have you looked at Isle Jacobsen?

I have been lusting after this for a while. Women's Waterproof Parka in Dark Olive Green - Women's Lightweight Waterproof Jacket | Protected Species (protected-species.com)

Sweaty Betty stride

This one is brilliant. Great price tag too buy they frequently have sales and I got it for half price last year.

Thank you. No I haven't looked at brands like Joules / Seasalt as I presumed they might be a bit... not sure how to describe it but "mumsy"?? Sorry I mean no offence, and I am a mum! I will take a look now.

Lol, you're not entirely wrong with your presumption 😂

Ok yes, I just had a look at Seasalt and joules. They are very nice but not what I'm looking for. A bit too "holidaying in Cornwall" versus commute on the tube iyswim.

Have looked at Zara and Mango to no avail and will keep looking.

This is something a little bit different to the other suggestions.
I have this in black (not currently available but I find the company to be very responsive to email queries). I can recommend it highly for quality. It feels quite glamorous whilst not being in the price range that means I'm uncomfortable with day-to-day wear.

Swing Coat

Thank you 2pints! Wow that's stunning and you must feel very glam wearing that! Totally not my style unfortunately.

I tend to wear chunky boots or trainers so I don't think that would match!

What about Rains?

www.uk.rains.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqOCT1qeEgQMV8UNBAh3M9AyLEAAYASAAEgLRefD_BwE

Ilse Jacobsen is the name I was trying to remember!

With a chunky boot/Urban look I’d go for a black wax jacket. This pricey but beautiful and flattering I would imagine:
https://www.celticandco.com/womens/womens-outerwear/wax-cotton-jackets/wax-riding-coat?colourid=123&glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARIsAAZl0E1qkNsOotVG-rIdrh9yX_Tqx4mQxO_R_UypaZew9sF8ZYi7xBESymYaAjHGEALw_wcB

Came on to recommend this brand. I have this coat (got a great deal on eBay) and the trench in black and I absolutely love them. Buttery soft material and they are 100% waterproof without looking all plasticky.

They are fairly lightweight so not the best choice for properly cold days but very water and wind proof. I think they make a “winter parka” for colder days but I haven’t tried it so don’t know if it’s any good.

Second this, I love sweaty Betty coats because many of them you can cinch in at the waist making an otherwise droopy parka look stylish, especially good if you're petite.

These are fabulous quality snd properly waterproof while still bring very stylish. Bought one on sale over summer and can't actually wait to wear it!

rainsisters.com/en-fr/collections/waterproof-design-coats-by-rainsisters

Like PPs I’d really recommend Sweaty Betty. I have a longline one which I wear for walking the dog etc. It is quite oversized and looks great - I wear with chunky Chelsea boots or trainers and it works either over a leggings/sweatshirt really casual outfit as well as over jeans/jumper. It is properly waterproof and has a big hood.

Mine is a bit like this: https://www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/jackets/motion-longline-parka-SB8478_FrenchNavyBlue.html

I really like this one too: https://www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/jackets/technical-trench-coat-SB9384_DoveBeige.html

I’d also look at Rains and Stutterheim:

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

https://stutterheim.com/en-gb/women

I have this Barbour X Alexa Chung jacket: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185613082470

It is beautiful, but it’s not properly waterproof - it’s water resistant and good for slightly drizzly weather though. So Barbour may or may not work depending on how waterproof you need.

I also have a gorgeous Mackintosh, traditional style trench, which again isn’t fully waterproof but is fine for most weather. This is more what I’d wear if it was rainy and I was going to work, out for the evening etc and wouldn’t be walking for ages/could take an umbrella.

https://www.mackintosh.com/sets/mackintosh-women-trench-coats

Some lovely Mackintosh coats in the sale, a good few with hoods. https://www.mackintosh.com/sets/woman-sale

Actually read the title as gambling

😂

Sorry, as you were

I imagined a del boy-esqe affair

I have this one https://welligogs.com/collections/coats/products/welligogs-odette-wax-check-waterproof-breathable-windproof-coat?variant=39356978888768

I have several protected species coats. Love them. Technical fabrics without looking like you're off up a mountain.

I love my Sweaty Betty, I absolutely do not love my Stutterheim, find it incredibly hot, and, well, sweaty.. It also marks really easily and looks scruffy as a result.

That’s gorgeous.

Google for Scandi brands; they tend to go for more urban than outdoor styling. Sadly, though, last time I looked, Ilse Jacobsen weren’t shipping to the UK, because of fucking Brexit one assumes. But lots of UK outlets have some of their stuff, you just obviously won’t get the full range.

Wolfe and badger or rain sisters are rather nice