Do stylish waterproof winter coats exist?

[Loulabelle1234]

I know the weather has just started getting better but I have a birthday coming up and I really need a winter coat. I have 2 warm winter dog walking coats but they're awful (but practical) I want a waterproof winter coat with a hood that I can wear on days or evenings out and not look like a tramp. I live in the North East and our weather can be awful in the winter. I keep looking but I can't find anything! My budget would be £200.00 max. I like grey, black navy, khaki or dark brown. I would really appreciate your recommendations otherwise I'll end up using my dog walking coats again.

www.alpinetrek.co.uk/didriksons-hani-womens-parka-parka/?aid=6ecab331641e263db6e8cba0488a930b&pid=10004&wt_mc=uk.pla.google_uk.18012299660..&wt_cc1=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17339088625&gbraid=0AAAAAD2IVNl398wix-FE8ddSESKV8otmj&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrMaB-OjojQMVPJhQBh1d6CGXEAQYASABEgL1y_D_BwE

Hi. Rains do an array of waterproof puffers. I have a long length one with a hood. It’s not super smart but keeps me warm and dry! They are around the 300 price range though but you may be able to find one on Vinted. Good luck :)

This has served me well for years https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E469898-000/00?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18135315258&gbraid=0AAAAADM0H6hZBV_y6lr9GrqumpoReTROK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjdWCierojQMV2ZNQBh2oWBGVEAQYASABEgLrfPD_BwE&colorDisplayCode=69&sizeDisplayCode=003

After months of searching last year, I got a longline coat from Superdry, a bit like this one:

https://www.superdry.com/womens/jackets/microfibre-longline-puffer-coat-266527.html

Mine’s a bit nicer then this as it has a subtle herringbone pattern to it, but there are a few options on there that fit the bill for me.

I’m a RainSisters convert. I resisted getting one for ages then picked one up in their sale in November last year. Wore it almost daily until April and have started wearing it again the past few weeks since it’s been torrential rain again here. I’ve even bought a second one as there’s a sale on again at the moment. Honestly they are great in west coast of Scotland rain so well worth it in my opinion. They state they’re not fully waterproof but I have remained dry in the heaviest rain every time I’ve worn them- even when out all day in the rain!

I think waterproof, hood and stylish is a really hard combo. I’ve got the men’s version of the Uniqlo one listed upthread. It’s a bit shorter which helps.

I know....it's like the holy grail 🤣

I forgot to include a link sorry. But I’d say they fit your holy grail criteria pretty well.

https://rainsisters.com/products/fit-and-flare-coat-with-full-circle-skirt-in-black-and-red-raven-red?_pos=15&_sid=371d2d7e5&_ss=r

@englishandelegant I don't need a new raincoat (or do I? I live in the NW so always worth investing in decent waterproof stuff) but those are stunning and very tempting!

I hesitated for about a year before I bit the bullet and bought mine. I haven’t regretted it though. I wear it with jeans and boots most of the time rather than a pretty swishy dress but it still works 😄 They seem to do two sales a year at least which helps.

It really pisses me off that British designers are supposed to be so innovative and yet none of them seem capable of coming up with a decent looking coat that's suitable for UK weather.

Anyway I settled a few years ago for a Margaret Howell/Barbour collab: khaki waxed cotton, knee length, hood. They don't state it's waterproof but it's never let me down. It's not my dream coat and it won't be to everyone's taste but it's the best compromise I've found. (I looked at Rainsisters but they weren't my thing.) She only seems to work with Barbour in autumn/winter and even then, not every year, plus it'll be over budget but, if it appeals, you might find some on Ebay / Etsy.

Didrikson is my go to

I think it’s one of those things when you can only ever have two out of three options. Waterproof, stylish or hood!

Last autumn I was admiring a waterproof coat somewhere... I'm trying not to start a fight here but somewhere I hadn't expected. Annoyingly I can't remember where exactly but it was most likely either Seasalt (NOT the Janelle!) or White Stuff. Or it might have been Joules if they still have any real shops anywhere. I even thought of buying it because a waterproof coat I like is such a rare thing but I didn't need another one so I left it.

I don't see why waterproof, stylish and hood should be beyond the imagination of a half decent fashion designer. That's their job.

I’ve got a lovely one from French Connection with not just a hood but a great hood. It was a couple of years ago though, and it’s not the right season to find one on their website now, but eBay/Vinted might be worth a look.

I like Didrikson’s rain coats, they’re stylish and of good quality.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've always admired their coats but haven't taken the plunge yet! What's their sizing like? I'm usually a size 8 but do like to wear jumpers in the Winter as I really feel the cold. Can I also ask, which two do you own? Sorry if I'm being nosey. Oh and have you bought the extra belt to go with them or do they look ok without? Think I'm going to treat myself 🤪
TIA xx

@Welshmumto3boysIf you want to wear a sweater under I’d go for the Small. Equally if you’re about 5’2” or under go for the Small Petite.
I’m a size 10 and wear Small or Medium depending whether I want to layer under or not.
I currently have the purple coat and the black double breasted one. I have the belt for the black but didn’t bother for the purple and it works just as well without one. I actually prefer mine without the belt as I like to have the choice to wear the coat open on less rainy days. Some of them include a belt at the moment though depending what one you’re looking at. I keep eyeing up the yellow one but not sure if it’s too bright. Enjoy treating yourself!

Last winter I bought a ski jacket from H&M - a black one that almost looks like leather. It is waterproof, and toasty. Might be worth looking at ski wear? I Googled and there are a few that I thought looked quite cool, but depends on your idea of style!

@englishandelegant I am very tempted by RainSisters. Are they actually warm? Even though I'm a Northerner, I do feel the cold. I currently have a football managers long puffer which is good for warmth but not overly stylish (hence DH calling it Pep 🙄)

I bought this in River Island in an emergency and it’s gorgeous and roasty toasty.

The hood is proper too, so I can tuck my long hair in and remain dry. It’s reasonably stylish for a category that generally presents as ugly.

Can I ask people who have coats from Rainsisters. Do you actually wear them with normal trousers? They look stunning in the pictures but I noted that most models wear them with dresses. I'm just not very glamorous in my daily life 😂therefore wondering how such a coat would fit in... I really do love the look of them...

Agree with this. Think Scandinavian women always look put together in quite outdoorsy practical coats but maybe because the outfit underneath is also casual like chunky knits and so on. In the U.K. it more often seems like people have their “normal” clothes in a different style and then a big raincoat on top which is jarring. Like the look of your MH/Barbour. The Rain Sisters are a bit too twee for me but maybe would suit people who wear a lot of girly dresses.

The number of threads on this topic suggests there’s a real gap in the market here.

https://www.regatta.com/orla-kiely-waterproof-mac-ii-olive-green-jasmine-flower-black/