The Spike

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Raincoat 2018

 

If you, like me, simply don’t suit a trench coat and want to tear up and set fire to all those millions of bloody stupid effing magazine pieces that tell you to buy a “classic trench” then don’t despair.

They don’t suit you because (probably) like me you have broad shoulders and so have the air of a rugby prop forward in a trench coat with all its stupid epaulettes and flappy bits all over the place.

BUT there is no item of clothing in this country more handy than a smart raincoat. A giant dog-walking coat from Seasalt or something from Rains or Sutterheim simply won’t do for every event.

Anyway I have a smart raincoat from APC in navy and I am always asked where I got it. It has slanted pockets and is double-breasted rather than being a kind of princess-collared car coat; I got it in the sale about 4 years ago and it’s one of those times when a shop having a sale has actually worked out for me.

It just so happens that is APC sale time again and they have not one but two very natty, streamlined raincoats – one in beige and one in navy. At E270, which is more or less £270 it is not exactly cheap, but I wear mine all the time and am considering in getting one of these in beige.

Which reminds me – I was having a chat with a mum the other day about waterproofing and she reminded me that with an item of clothing like this – showerproof but not totally water-resistant – you can in fact set about it with a can of ScotchGuard Waterproof spray, which will give you an extra layer of protection. Not, alas, against annoying magazine advice but you’ve got to start somewhere.

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Comments

  1. Jan ford says

    August 14, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    Look at Protected Species. Waterproof, smart, minimal styling and very high tech

    Reply
  2. Sophie says

    August 15, 2018 at 7:40 am

    Oh God I need to sort this out. Bought a Timberland one a couple of years ago, massively on sale, in desperation, and it’s cut so extraordinarily badly I could weep, but … the real killer here … it is utterly waterproof. The sheer luxury of actually not being wet or even damp in a downpour means I am sort of umbilically linked to this effing sack, for fear of getting something nice but showerproof. *exhales, looks for happy place* Rant over!

    Reply
  3. Liz says

    August 15, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    You are absolutely right! My broad shoulders mean that the “classic trench” looks just as dreadful as the “classic biker” that I keep being told to buy. In which, without exception, I look like Danny Zuko.

    Reply
  4. Rachel E says

    August 15, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    Will investigate further. Love my Protected Species parka for dress-down rainy days, but not so good for my busy-and-important days. A trench is a NO with big boobs, makes me look like I’ve recently been upholstered.

    Reply
    • Jules says

      August 16, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      God this made me laugh.

      Reply
  5. Tanya says

    August 16, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    I am leaning towards one of these, in black. http://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-coats-jackets/coats/t0217-blk/womens-black-anya-waterproof-mac
    Smart enough for wearing to work, but has a hood which is essential for the school run because of all the crap you have to carry, making an umbrella almost impossible.

    Reply

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