Eight Stylish Raincoats To Keep You Dry
Elevate your outerwear and make a dent in the drab.
By Kareem Rashed 18/03/2021
Having to conceal your thoughtfully composed outfit beneath a nylon tent is, without question, a downer. All too often, raincoats are thought of like umbrellas: a functional tool to keep you dry, no matter what you’re wearing or where you’re going. While function certainly is key, style shouldn’t be sacrificed just because there’s a downpour. The best raincoats take top marks for looks and utility.
Beyond looking like an afterthought, the other issue that plagues rainwear is comfort. That’s why it pays to invest in a few waterproof options that you can rely on in any clime. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up eight options to buy now and wear whenever the forecast is grey.
Photo: Mackintosh
Mackintosh ‘Oxford’ Raincoat
For close to 200 years, Mackintosh has been at the forefront of impenetrable outerwear. The brand’s most classic design is so iconic that the term Mac has become shorthand for raincoats. This model maintains the timeless, clean-lined silhouette and Mackintosh’s centuries of R&D. Lightweight on its own, this coat can be reinforced with an array of linings.
mackintosh.com; $1387
Photo: Stutterheim
Stutterheim ‘Stockholm LW’ Raincoat
Downpours often fall when you least expect them, so it’s wise to have something lightweight you can easily roll up and toss in a bag just in case. This is a lightened-up version of Swedish brand Stutterheim’s best-selling parka—ideal for summer showers and those tricky in-between seasons.
stutterheim.com; approx. $240
Photo: Saks Fifth Avenue
Polo Ralph Lauren Waxed Cotton Biker Jacket
Before there were moisture-wicking membranes and techy nylons, wax was the original water-repellent material. Ralph Lauren pays homage to those hard-wearing waxed originals with a rugged biker jacket patinaed to look like it’s been handed down for generations.
saksfifthavenue.com; $1097
Photo: The Rake
Grenfell ‘Despatch Riders’ Coat
Based on a piece worn by Sir Malcolm Campbell, who served as a dispatch rider during WWI before going on to set world records for speed on land and sea, this is the real deal of trench coats. While it has all the pockets and fasteners of the originals, the real horn buttons and leather trim make this far more luxurious than anything you’d wear in the field.
therake.com; $1425
Photo: Canada Goose
Rhude x Canada Goose x NBA ‘Portage’ Jacket
Created as part of LA-based brand Rhude’s capsule for this year’s NBA All Star team, this three-quarter length coat is ideal for chillier rainy days. The ribbed interior collar will help keep you warm and the boxy silhouette can easily be layered atop chunky sweaters. An added bonus: interior snaps mean it can easily convert to a shorter, hip length jacket.
canadagoose.com; $960
Photo: Ssense
Stone Island made its name pioneering textile innovations. This coat demonstrates some of the Italian brand’s latest breakthroughs, including silky garment-dyed nylon with an anti-drop finish. It’s styled with ample pockets, a neck guard and a hood—and while it will certainly keep you dry while adventuring, we think it’d look particularly sharp atop something tailored.
hbx.com; $1280
Photo: Mr Porter
Belstaff ‘Dunstall’ Waxed Cotton Jacket
Even a drizzle means you’ll want something water-repellent. Belstaff’s breathable waxed cotton blouson is perfectly equipped for those lighter showers. Hardy without being too rough-and-tumble, it’s the kind of jacket you’ll be reaching for come rain or shine.
belstaff.com; approx. $420
Photo: The Armoury
The Real McCoy’s for The Armoury M-51 Field Parka
There’s something so perfectly insouciant about the mod combo of a parka and sharply-cut suit. Thankfully, The Armoury and The Real McCoy’s have faithfully recreated the mods’ favourite piece of outerwear, the M-51 field parka. Its cotton sateen may not be the most indestructible textile out there but, damn, doesn’t it look good?
thearmoury.com; approx. $1088
