I promised coats

Umbrellas are nonsense. It's all about the raincoat.

Emanuele D’angelo

I promised you I’d look at coats this week, and several of you got in touch requesting - specifically - raincoats and bombers (ever the practical people that you are). I hope the below hits the spot but do let me know how you get on.

Disclaimer alert - I hate umbrellas. They’re cumbersome and drippy and useless at the whisper of a wind. And what do you do once they’re wet? Carry it around until, inevitably, they’re left in the cafe where I’ve just sought reprieve from the rain. The same rain, from which said umbrella was supposed to protect me. No. Just no.

So, of course, I’m inclined to favour the ever practical raincoat. There is however, a downfall associated with a raincoat. Anything that keeps the water out, will also keep the water in. If you’re in vaguely warm conditions, or slipping on and off buses, tubes and trains, it’s likely that you’ll get a little glow on under said raincoat. So, what to do?

I love a poncho. They’re great for letting air swirl around you so that you don’t start schvitzing when you’re on the go. Especially chic is this style from Hush (currently on sale from £169, reduced to £90 and only available in L/XL).

£90

The poncho from Rains, (£105) gives serious Prada energy, at one twentieth of the price. It’s gargantuan (I have the black version), and is great for keeping the rain off when I’m on my bike. Discrete thumb hooks keep the opening to the front and my arms covered. Top tip though, ensure you keep it buttoned up in heavy rain though, or you’ll get a very damp front.

£105

If you’re after something more conventional, who knows more about keeping the rain off than the Swedes? Stutterheim have every style, colour and shape of raincoat including, but thankfully not limited to, a cropped style (don’t ask). Thankfully, though, their Mosebacke style, £250, is vastly more practical with a slight A-line shape to allow for movement.

£250

If these smack just a little too much of practicality, there are vast numbers of wax jackets on the High Street this season, that will give you a stylish edge. This reversible number from Aligne, £249, is a delight.

£249

And if it’s the blowdry you’re trying to protect from that wet air we so frequently come up against in this country, how about a hood? Framed with wire, L’hood is a genius invention that folds up into a little wrist decoration when not in use, but unravels into a waterproof hat with a dipped back to keep the rain off your head when needed.

As for bombers, here are some of my favourites:

£120

£250

£130

£360

And of course, the Lust List has been updated and is bursting with new season jollity. Please check it out. And of course, let me know what you’d like me to look at next time.