Please explain trench coats to me

[Stopsnowing]

I need a new rain coat and was looking at trench coats but they don’t seem to have hoods which doesn’t seem very practical to me as I find umbrellas a dripping pfaff. I think I must be missing the point or maybe I should stick to rain coats but if so any recommendations would be appreciated- want to avoid beige and black

Real trench coats are fully waterproof. I have a genuine Mackintosh and nothing gets through that.

www.mackintosh.com/collections/womens-trench-coats

I think trench coats are more stylish/ever fashionable than practical. I don't think a trench coat with a hood is in the spirit of it and anyway most aren't waterproof. It's hard to find a stylish raincoat.

I’ve been eying up the Reiss one too. Don’t know whether to risk waiting for the sales

I love the look of a Burberry trenchcoat (British made!) but when I try them on they look weird on me .

I buy coats from Seasalt or Regatta. Regatta often have a sale on.

I feel the same. I have tried hoods but I feel like they block my peripheral vision and also muffle sounds in a way that cuts me off from my surroundings in a weird way. I accept that this is probably really odd and nobody else feels this way!

Sort of off topic, but has anyone noticed all the trench coats this season are enormous?! I need a new one as mine is old and tired, tried on about 6 in John Lewis (all different brands) and I’d have needed to size down about 4 sizes to get something that didn’t swamp me. I’m a standard size 12 and 5ft9, so I’m not certain who these wouldn’t look vast on.

If anyone has found a nice slim fitting one, please share!

As pp said, I like a trench coat for the work commute in cool autumn/spring weather, for something smarter than a rain coat and less hot than a wool coat. Used with an umbrella for showers, but I put my hooded rain coat on for real downpours.

Just on this subject, I find a baseball cap under a hood to be an absolute game changer. Keeps the hood from falling in my face and away from my ears while also keeping the rain from blasting you directly in the eyes.

Might still ruin your hair of course, but so do winds with an umbrella.

I really struggle with hoods because I have a tiny head, so they fall down and/or I can’t see anything. I’m on a mission to find a hat or headscarf that keeps me dry and doesn’t make me look like a twat, but failing thus far.

I’m built like a hobbit, but I really enjoy wearing my long/oversized trench. I never wear it fastened though - always with the belt tied at the back to nip it in a bit.

Id really like a cropped one too, but struggling to find one that I like this season.

Now that is good advice 👍🏼

When trench coats were invented, everyone wore hats, so they didn't need a hood.

Nowadays, either buy a hat and start a trend, or only wear it when it's not raining.

The key to having a dry head in a trenchcoat, while remaining stylish, is a trilby.

A trilby has a good brim.

I have a Hobbs one and I have no right to wear it as I’m fat, busty, short and dumpy but it makes me feel finished and chic - and not a sweltering hungry caterpillar as pp described perfectly! I’ll happily get my hair wet in the rain for that.

Buy a trilby!

They're intended to look like this. A hood doesn't fit the line.

❤️

I hate hoods.They act like blinkers, fall down over your eyes or, to be able to see, have to be tightened so much they cut into your chin. Trenchcoat and hat work in light rain.

This is a good idea except my head is the sweatiest part of me. Doubling up hat and hood would make my hair even wetter than rain.

they were designed for officers in the army, they were originally waterproof (and some makes made from waxed canvas remain a decent storm coat). The first trench coats were made from oiled wool, no hat as officers would have had a separate cap. They became known as trench coats when they were finally allowed to be worn by soldiers in the 1st WW, and life in the trenches was hard. They were designed to be worn over another coat, hence being ‘over sized’, and not particularly warm (although wool is a naturally good insulator). 100+ years on from their original design, there are better technical fabrics which have much better waterproofing qualities, warmth to weight ration, and hooded, whereas the humble trench coat has largely become more of a fashion item over a practical bit of outdoor clothing.

I wear a Trenchcoat in Spring and early Autumn when I need to look smart but it’s too cold for a summer jacket and too warm for a wool coat.

Mostly for work over a dress (which would look odd with my hooded raincoat) or at the weekend to smarten up a casual outfit.

I have a proper hooded rain coat for long walks and casual outings.

In summary ypu are correct, the Trenchcoat is more for style and less for practicality. But many things are!

I got an oversized one with hood but no belt from Asda for £38. It’s been pretty good

I have a beautiful grey trilby, but it doesn’t look right with my trench coat.

If you need a smart well cut coat for work and live anywhere that it rains a great deal, then a hooded trench coat is perfect. Unfortunately they are like gold dust. I have a fairly aged but immaculate thick Zara one that is nicer than many more expensive ones I’ve looked at.

Extra points if they have a removeable zip in zip out quilted or fleecy liner for extra warmth.

I did see that Reiss have a hooded one in stock just now but the removeable hood is attached to shoulders only so no extra warmth and the cut isn’t great.

It’s really irritating. Like a lot of women’s clothing with no pockets.

And a hat (like a brolly) is useless in windy conditions. I draw the line at a hat that has to fasten under my chin 😁 I feel I’d have to add mittens on a string.