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

Get a Barbour. It will take whatever you throw at it and look cool if not new-looking,
Buy it pre-loved.
I have a good overcoat for best. Try dress agencies in well-heeled areas for pre-loved Burberry.
Reiss isn't quality but looks good.

I’d love a Barbour, but they’re just too big. I’m only five foot tall and they completely drown me. I look like a child dressing up in her mum’s clothes! Quite a lot of things I can alter myself/get it done professionally but coats are just too complicated. So it needs to be in petite, which obviously narrows the choice, especially with my probably ridiculous and stubborn insistence on a hood.

Also, it’s not for constant use - I have some really good, fully waterproof and indestructible coats which I’d usually wear. Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions though - and on this occasion I think I’ll probably go for looks good but not quality!

I'm usually the other way around 😀

Agreed. I’ve been thinking about a trench for ages but Im petite with an inverted triangle shape. I try to avoid double breasted and fussy shoulders! What I want ideally is a single breasted trench style.

@ByTidyOtter , a trench coat is double breasted but if you look at fashion brands, they call just about any mac a trench coat. (Similar to calling any flat lace-up shoe a brogue regardless of whether it has any broguing.)

I'm an inverted triangle and not tall by any means and look better in a single-breasted raglan sleeve 3/4 length coat. I got rid of my Burberry because I wasn't wearing it.

@YossarianC22 , they have lots of different styles. It doesn't sound like you need one though. They do children's sizes, if you desperately wanted one.

Inspired by this thread I have fallen in love with an M & S trench coat. I have no idea when I would wear it, but if I bought it I would need a rain hat that doesn't make me look like Vera. Has anyone any suggestions?

Also here for the rain hat recommendations- or I might have to contemplate a headscarf of some sort!

nice single breasted coat. No petite sizes though
Wool Blend Longline Trench Coat by JAEGER at M&S

Neat overcoat
Cotton Rich Single Breasted Trench Coat by HOBBS at M&S

Plumo used to do a waxed cotton hood, a bit like Marled Grey Wool Hood with Integrated Neckties – Plümo Ltd