5 Sleek, Chic Transitional Raincoats – And How To Style Them

Don’t get me wrong – the summer heat was fab; being able to sunbathe in Stoke Newington as if in Santorini was not an opportunity taken for granted. Still, the second I heard the patter of rain against my window – for what felt like the first time in about six months – I let out a sigh of relief.

You see, I am not much of a summer dresser – a fact I learned around the fourth heatwave, trying to turn clothes initially purchased for a Brazilian beach holiday into office-appropriate outfits with limited success. Rather, mine is a winter-skewing wardrobe – a catalogue of hefty knits, staple shearlings and many a heavy coat.

While signs of the weather turning are starting to appear, it’s still not quite the season for the sort of outerwear I actually enjoy wearing. I say this from direct experience, my stubborn commitment to wearing a floor-length black leather trench coat at the first sign of an autumnal chill proving foolish when the sun’s sudden re-emergence raised the mercury to a balmy 21 degrees.

A lightweight showerproof coat is the practical answer to how to dress during times marred by such unpredictable weather, but my problem is that I absolutely hate them. Or, at least, I hate the ones I typically see on my daily commute: flimsy, shapeless layers of plastic in lurid brights, resurfacing shiver-inducing memories of Duke of Edinburgh treks.

Caught between becoming a drowned rat in the event of a sudden shower, and turning up just as damp wearing a coat fit for a Canadian winter on an unseasonably clement autumn’s day, I set out on a mission to find my showerproof jacket – something with enough structure and rigour in its construction that you wouldn’t wince handing it in at the coat check at a nice restaurant, or walking into an important meeting; something discreet enough that it won’t have people wondering if you’re about to head off on a hiking holiday; something that keeps you dry without overheating, because for the love of God I can’t hear myself complain about how difficult it is dressing for the weather yet again. Here are some of the best I’ve found – along with some tips on how to wear them.

The Arc’teryx Veilance Arris jacket

Given that the tonal spectrum of my wardrobe runs from London winter sky to witch’s cat, this immediately caught my eye. While Arc’teryx is a brand I’d long associated with gorpcore bros on Hinge and people who go on actual expeditions to, like, Antarctica, I quickly found what I was after in Veilance, the Canadian outdoor specialist’s high-end, urban sub-brand. With its structured yet streamlined fit, matte black Gore-Tex outer, breathable inner layer, the Arris jacket reads like a slightly squared-off version of my favourite denim bomber. I could immediately see how easily it would slip into my wardrobe – styled with a contrast-cummerbund pleated Stefan Cooke skirt and a pair of Our Legacy biker boots.

The Tretorn Cove jacket

Another coat that feels tailored to this sort of ensemble is this option from Swedish rainwear expert Tretorn, which my colleague Olivia Allen sent my way when I issued my plea for suggestions. Of course, two things the Swedes know something about is dressing for wet weather, and doing so in style. With its sharp collar, subtle A-line form and rubberised surface, the Cove jacket’s cropped silhouette – sitting somewhere between a classic mac and a tidy blazer – makes it a perfect companion for a pair of classic-wash skinny jeans. “It’s what I’ll be relying on throughout this transitional season to shield me from the inevitable downpours,” Allen says – and, more crucially, “to keep the plastic ponchos at bay.”

The Arket Active windbreaker

Now, if I just stuck to rubberised black coats, I’d hardly be pushing the boat out – so behold, this slouchy utility pocketed bomber silhouette in bright red. Now, this one sits a little more squarely in classic windbreaker territory, but its minimal cut and raglan sleeves give it a bomber-ish feel, its sleek impression compounded by the fact that you can easily pack the hood away. For the colourphobes reading (ergo, me), this one also comes in a more subdued grey – and when it comes to styling this one, I’d be inclined to try and balance out its sportier tones with a structured midi (or, what the hell, maxi!) skirt and strappy heels.

The Toteme Shell jacket

The Swedes really do come up trumps when it comes to creating a chic transitional coat, as proven by this number from Toteme. Crafted in water-repellent cotton, and cut wide with a funnel neck and a batwing sleeve, this taupe coat invites you to lean into the more insouciant corners of your closet. Style with a pair of louche wide-leg trousers and a pair of sporty trainers for an approachable outdoors-y vibe – look no further than Miu Miu’s much buzzed-about Bubble trainers.

The MM6 X Salomon macintosh

Now, Salomon’s another brand I’d historically shirked away from, but spotting its wares on some seriously chic people about town has made me a convert. If Nadège Vanhée’s a fan, then so am I! On the rainwear front, this beige car coat in thin-yet-structured Gore-Tex fabric – a product of a collaboration with MM6 Maison Margiela – offers the practicality of high-spec performance gear the French brand’s renowned for, with all the chicness of a classic macintosh – not to mention the open-ended styling possibilities, too.