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

I see them as being for in-between weather, like early Autumn and early Spring, when it's too warm for a wool coat and too cold for no coat. There's always a reasonable chance of rain at those times of year as well, so I have one that is showerproof (not waterproof). it took me ages to find one that didn't swamp my frame with all its flaps and things.

Never knew any of this, though the clue is clearly in the name!

If I only wore it when it’s not raining, I’d never wear it at all. If I had to rely on a hat, I’d never wear that either because I’d either leave it in the car or I’d drop it somewhere. I’d also instantly forget an umbrella or more likely, would be carried away by it in the horizontal rain. Hoods are essential for me in the south west and I’m only three inches tall, so it has to be available in petite - and it also needs a belt otherwise I look like a snail. But I do really want a trench coat.

Only 3 inches tall! Cute 🥰

That's a very nice coat.

I’m short and petite overall and I love my trench coats. I’ve got two vintage ones made of real, thick gabardine and lined, classic cut (Humphrey Bogart style, not oversized post-covid look). They are extremely windproof and quite water-repellent. I carry an umbrella or ignore the rain, high humidity is great for skin :-)

I’ve had mine for several years now and I get excellent CPW out of them, they are much more versatile than I expected.

I’m short too and I love mine. I’ve found it looks better when the belt is knotted at the back (sort of doubled over itself). It gives some definition and looks better when open. That way it doesn’t swamp me.

Not a trench coat but this is nice and has a hood. Seems pretty much sold out, maybe they’ll get more stock? I have a similar style Barbour or I’d be tempted

https://www.marksandspencer.com/stormwear-ultra-longline-parka/p/clp22177271?color=DARKKHAKI&extid=sm_smp-p_fbig_ww3pb_ch_-_--_nmpi-ms-UK_adv_dynamic_dpa_0626_GoodMove&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120251052696560228_v2_s04_i97937674&utm_content=120251052696590228&utm_term=120251052696560228&utm_campaign=120247940756720228&media_type=image&fbclid=IwY2xjawUL_gxwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtATAAYWRpZAGrN7SHJ-bUYnJpZBExOXRzZ1RTRE9BTkpaelpjUHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6j4tH9kl_Rw44Ho2N8BoARJ4YtQx3nvKrYg1e-cBmqnvvGWgU8a6MRD8vNQA_aem_aynQJLpSB8jAfGumyYPQhA

Totally different vibe to a trench coat and much more difficult to pull off. I’d look like a little fat fisherman.

And in the Pennines. I really can't be bothered with the faff of an umbrella, plus there is too high a risk of me forgetting it. I often need both hands free as well.

I love the idea of a French cost but I would rarely wear one as they are too impractical for my lifestyle.

it's easy to spot city dwellers who live in places that don't get much rain and wind on threads like this 😁

Bloody Kindle spellcheck!!!

French cost = trench coat

I have a properly waterproof one from Aigle. I wear hats because I hate hoods. I have a cloche style one with a little brim for keeping the rain off my specs, from someone on Etsy.

TOG 24 has a variety of long hooded trenches. I’m going to check them out myself.

Trench coat and umbrella.

Anorak or raincoat with a hood.

I have both but I can't stand umbrella's so wear the trench when it is not raining.

If you want something with the elegance of a trench, but also with a hood and waterproof, here you go: https://rainsisters.com/

If you wanted an actual trench (most materials handle rain very well), you can just wear it with a hat that doesn't get damaged in light rain.

I love a trench coat and have the hobbs Saskia. Its an in-between seasons coat so I'll start to wear mine around now to late Oct, mid March to may/ June.

Because it's not worn daily for months like a proper winter coat, it lasts longer.

Jesus christ, heid scarf with the wee pink rollers sticking out the top? "Im headin doon the steamie jean, watch the wean in the pram for me hen, mind she dusnie choke on that lucky tattie I got her oot donnaldsons shoap" "aye nae bother Bertha, im jist waitin oan Bert comin oot the pit so we can git oot medicinal hawf bottle for efter dinner". 🤣

Not a fan of those Rainsisters ones - they look a bit too fancy dress for my liking. And the price!!!

How about you buy a coat without a hood and buy a rain hat.
https://www.ghelter.com/products/waterproof-leather-reversible-bucket-hat?variant=54599043776860&country=GB&currency=GBP&utmmedium=productsync&utmsource=google&utmcontent=sagorganic&utmcampaign=sagorganic&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=22801216313&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh4TVBhCWARIsAG0czmqag5mnnbHfeHplBeVmNf6LV0l6tkOaa2uNDZEavudQCR9VFIIxrzoaAoaEEALw_wc

Do you have a link to the Reiss one please?

You are not odd, I feel exactly the same! I have a hood on my puffer jacket but rarely put it up for those exact reasons.

So I used to wear a trench coat and thought I looked great in one, I'm quite tall 5"10 and average size, thought I wore one quite well, untill a friend of friend in a pub one night said "hello Inspector Gadget" totally ruined it for me! I'm not sure I can wear one now without thinking oh god they are right I do look like inspector gadget! 😂

Same here. I have one second hand and there is too much "stuff" on it, flaps, belts, awkward cuffs. Makes me look swamped and far too busy. I like a shorter coat with sleek lines.

Great unless you have a giant bonce ( Mike Myers in “So I married an axe murderer’ : ‘Aye he’ll be cryin tears intae his great big pilla “) and lots of hair. 😁

I’ve found many rain hats to be far too small and so tight as to ruin hair, defeating purpose of rain protection.

Years ago when they were in fashion everybody had one. Don't know anyone who wears them these days. They're not very practical imho.