A genuinely waterproof, beautiful coat?

[WellIquitelikesprouts]

I live in a very wet part of the country and walk a lot, and would pay serious money for an attractive rain coat made of thin but properly waterproof fabric. For me, attractive means calf-length, kind of draped and shapely, in a charcoal or dark blue colour which wouldn't show the dirt too much, and which it is possible to put layers under - it doesn't have to be warm.
This would replace my extensive raincoat collection which includes:

• A long Barbour waxed coat which even when re-waxed and therefore dry on the inside, absorbs water and becomes exhaustingly heavy
• A horrible plastic cagoul thing which is too sweaty to wear
• A walking jacket which is breathable but which needs washing periodically, and since the second wash has become only slightly shower proof, even though i use the so-called waterproofing liquid as directed
• A stiff, uncomfortable short jacket from Seasalt in fabric which actually is waterproof but only keeps selected parts of me dry

I could go on, but any recommendations would be gratefully received.

Rains?

https://www.uk.rains.com/collections/women/products/a-line-longer-w-jacket?variant=48420872978770

I don't have one, so you'll have to rely on someone else to say whether the live up to my hopes but I keep thinking how lovely these rain sisters ones are:

https://rainsisters.com/products/fitted-black-coat-with-flared-circle-skirt-and-sapphire-blue-lining-black-sapphire?_pos=23&_fid=ef028f0ef&_ss=c

I have a Rainsisters coat and I love it, but they are marketed as showerproof. Mine kept me dry in a 20 minute downpour - I haven't tried it over longer times. They have a thin fleece layer inside the lining so they will also keep you at least a bit warm.

Those Rains coats are beautiful, I particularly like the Depth colour but why do all the models look like they're being held hostage? 🤣

Joules Right as Rain is waterproof, lightweight,some longer length ones.

Have a look at Protected Species. Lightweight totally waterproof soft and stylish. I love mine.

https://www.rohan.co.uk/womens-serein-mac-true-navy/#main-content

Musto? Not as glamorous as these but I have my eye on one as an wear every where in winter coat. Or Macintosh for style.

I don’t have one of these (yet) but feel it may have the answers to all my similar problems https://www.didriksons.com/uk/women/jackets/waterproof-jackets

I have a Didriksons, which is genuinely waterproof and looks quite smart.

I think I've washed it, probably after falling in mud, and it remained waterproof. I might have used something like Graingers or Nikwax reproofer, I don't remember.

But every time someone asks for 'a waterproof coat that's not hideous' on here, people usually say Didriksons and I'm very happy with mine.

Hmm I’m afraid I can only offer my sympathy as I’m in a similar position. Why are raincoats so rubbish??

I have a beautiful long Sweaty Betty hooded coat which is properly waterproof but it’s the sweatiest item of clothing I own and I’m not a very sweaty person. I only use it a few times a year.

I like the Rains ones and they’re thin and light but they run very large and baggy, I never managed to find one I really wanted to wear.

The very best one I own is from Kin from John Lewis, made out of light non-rustly fabric, very comfortable and breathable, but they’ve stopped making that line. I don’t know if it would be worth stalking Vinted for something?

Nikwax spray has been excellent for waterproofing synthetics if that helps.

Good to hear a positive review. I’ve been eyeing them up having the same criteria as the OP.

Gosh thanks everyone for the empathy and recommendations, I'm following every suggestion and will let you know the final verdict.

Have a look at Tretorn. I have an amazing waterproof coat from them and it’s waterproof and windproof and looks great. I liked it so much that I bought a second one in a different colour. Then recently lent one of them to a friend (I always keep a spare in the boot of my car and it was lashing down and her existing coat was never going to keep her dry) and she loved it so much that I decided to let her keep it. Even her 20 year old son thinks it’s a cool coat. And actually incredibly practical. It’s been battered by horizontal Lancastrian rain and wind, shopping in Lytham and also been to the tennis at Wimbledon. I joke that that damn coat has a better social life than me. 😂

Or if you’re willing to spend big money, Mackintosh coats are impeccably stylish and as waterproof as you can get. It’s worth looking on Vinted just in case you get lucky (make sure it’s the genuine ‘handmade in Scotland’ original Mackintosh rather than any imposters). Be aware that their sizing is on the smaller side. I have 3 long Mackintosh coats (of various styles) that I bought in their sample sale and I’m delighted when it rains so I can wear them to work and arrive looking fabulous but also dry.

(Yes, I have a coat addiction. I think it’s genetic as my father is the same. You can never have too many coats or jackets. 😛)

Edit: Forgot to mention that I also have quite a few Rains coats. They’re waterproof but very plasticky. I prefer the ones with a tie belt as then you can get a bit of shape as they’re unisex and can look a bit like plastic sacks otherwise. Obviously that’s because they were originally designed for cycling in Denmark in bad weather so you need enough room in them for moving about on the bike.

Finally, also at the higher price end, have a look at Kassl Editions. They’re waterproof but more design/fashion led than the other brands I’ve mentioned.

What’s the sizing like? I’m trying to work out if I can fit in them as an 18 as the Tretorn have a gorgeous parka!

@HerdMentality

I love mine so much that when I lost one during chemo brain fog I immediately replaced it albeit in a different colour. I still give a side eye at people in the street in case they are wearing my missing one!

Another vote for https://www.protected-species.com/shop/

initially tempted to try by a 50% discount now have the trench (full price) as well as the city walker jacket

love the fabric as well as the construction

They give the exact measurements for each size for each coat on their website so you can just measure yourself to check. The unisex coats go bigger, up to XXL I think.

(I bought mine in person - at Tebay services on the M6 of all places - and wanted something roomy to fit over a thick jumper so sized up).

I have one like this - mine is in olive green and a couple of years old but looks the same - feels stylish, lightweight, roomy for jumpers, and is def waterproof!! https://www.barbour.com/row/chesney-waterproof-jacket-LWB0920NY91.html

Definitely Protected Species. I have two. One shorter one and a long lightweight one. Tempted to treat myself to a parka one this winter, as I've managed to tear the sleeve of my Barbour raincoat which I love, it's nice and toasty but not as attractive as PS - more like a Seasalt one. I always get comments on the Protected Species coats.

Thank you, I found one on QVC and it reckons I need a large

I'm lusting after Norwegian Rain, But I do have a really good old Joules parka, which is showerproof and a small mans Rains coat, which is great too

norwegianrain.com/products/women/?ph=782f5d1b5f6507f8e0765137

I'm always on the lookout for coats. I love them and have far too many. I went straight to the Protected Species website and now I'm confused. I can't see any good looking coats. Can someone link a couple, even one coat, because maybe there is a different website with more coats that I can't see.

The Rain Sisters coats look really nice. Are they really waterproof? They look too nice to be raincoats?

I have a Tretorn, its definitely waterproof but its so long (obviously the point) but it isn't a good looking coat and it makes me feel so dowdy.

Just saw the Norwegian Rain coats too and they are really nice.

I have a protected Species trenchcoat that I still like. It’s not warm though and quite a close fit so not much room for layering up underneath.

If money were no object I’d go for Mackintosh although even there, the ones I like best don’t have a hood. I mean what the fuck is the point of a raincoat without a hood.

This is the one I’ve got although mine is a burgundy colour and knee length - I want a longer version now. I’m not keen on any of the other styles but I do like this one.
https://www.protected-species.com/product/waterproof-trench-black-returning-soon/