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.
Look at Protected Species. Waterproof, smart, minimal styling and very high tech
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!
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.
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.
God this made me laugh.
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.