It’s finally happening, the rain is here! And while plants may be rejoicing, I’m already missing my open-toe shoes. I’m a summer person, you see, so to combat the weather forecast in the UK during the autumn and winter months, I have to prepare myself.
To do so, not only do I stock up my cupboards with soup ingredients and the latest M&S warm desserts (I have to try the new raspberry and white chocolate pot), I also focus on the contents of my wardrobe. Swaddling up in scarves and thermal gloves is a must and while I love a trending coat – we’re seeing funnel neck military styles, faux fur trims and longline trenches in the shops at the moment – I can’t help but reach for the most practical style: raincoats.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t also be chic. Recently, we’ve seen functionality take priority when it comes to outerwear, with the likes of Miu Miu leading the charge when it comes to the technical jacket trend. Funnel necks, handy zips and water-repellent fabrics have come to the forefront of most fashion people’s wardrobes, including mine. For autumn/winter, though, I’m leaning more towards the parka, padded and fleece-lined styles that’ll see me through the season. Luckily, there’s no shortage from supermarket and high street brands.
Matalan has ticked off the chocolate-brown trend we’ve seen all over the runway with a minimal-style raincoat; Tu at Sainsbury’s has shown how to wear checks; and H&M and Primark are both backing berry shades.
Fashion rarely meets function, so I suggest we all embrace it. These are the seven best waterproof and shower-resistant raincoats that are even making me, a self-proclaimed summer-loving fashion editor, actually happy about the rainy weather forecast.
Waterproof hooded longline parka, F&F, £59.50
There’s no denying it, you can never go wrong with a black coat (or dress, boots or bag, for that matter). The colour just never fails to make any item look more elevated, which is why I would always suggest getting wet-weather outerwear in the classic hue. F&F has really pulled through with a supermarket style that I just know will sell out. Whether you’re a mum on the school run, someone who’s always on dog walking duty or you just want a style that’ll be ready for all forecasts, this is The One. A parka will always be relevant, but I love how this one has cinched waist detailing – very 2026.
And when it comes down to protecting you against the rain, it has a zip and poppers (so double wind-proof), stretch cuffs to keep you cosy and a hood to keep your hair dry. Plus, the pockets are so big you could easily leave the house hands-free without a bag. And of course it’s waterproof.
Cinch detail longline waistcoat, Primark, £28
Fashion people are going wild for Cadbury purple right now – choosing to style the bold shade with clashing red and animal prints. Like most colour trends lately, though, it may be a fleeting look, so instead of following the trend, I suggest opting for outerwear in a shade that’s not so easy to date. This perfect parka in ‘fig’ will still liven up your outfits, but will work more seamlessly in your wardrobe. I would wear this one for heading to a gym class or out for a countryside walk (over a cosy knit with jeans and boots). I’m a huge fan of the cinched waist detailing that makes rainwear feel fresh, the hood is pretty much essential for UK downpours, and the roomy pockets have zips so your belongings won’t get soggy. I find some raincoats can make you a bit sweaty, so I appreciate this one has storm flaps front and back to make it more breathable.
Shower-resistant houndstooth hooded parka, Tu, £55
Checks, checks and more checks – it’s the print of the season, and if you want to fully embrace the look, then this coat is the one for you. It’s longline to ensure your outerwear stays dry, it’s made from shower proof material (so one to wear when it’s drizzly, but not when it’s a full on downpour) and it’s doubled up on making sure we’re all protected from blustery weather with zip and popper fastenings.
Ticking off the heritage countryside trend we’re seeing everywhere – largely thanks to Claudia Winkleman – I’m seeing this houndstooth parka worn with an Argyle knit underneath and jeans tucked into riding boots. And it’ll look equally as good for work over a roll neck with wide-leg trousers and loafers, because we’ll all appreciate arriving at the office in a new coat that’ll not only get us compliments, but also keep us dry!
Chocolate rubberised raincoat, Matalan, £38
Ralph Lauren went for top-to-toe tonal chocolatey looks, Saint Laurent went for suiting and Stella McCartney had longline coats. The warm, rich shade that reminds me of my favourite sweet is key for this season. As uncomplicated to style as timeless black and beige, I love that this sleek fuss-free raincoat feels more like a staple wardrobe piece than an essential protective layer. With a zip all the way to the chic funnel neck detailing, a hood (complete with a drawstring to make it wind-proof) and a lightweight rubberised material to make sure you don’t feel swamped down by loads of fabric, it’s a hero item. The best part? You can also throw it in the wash when it needs a quick freshen up, so no need to think about specialist cleaning.
Waterproof hooded padded jacket, Regatta, £60
When the rain is hammering down, it’s time to bring out the experts. Regatta is best known for its weather-proof outerwear, and I think the collection this season is the best I’ve seen yet. If staying warm and dry is your aim, look no further than this cosy padded jacket. We’ve seen Bambi-style deer, dairy cow and zebra stripes come into full fruition lately, and while I enjoy all animal-inspired prints, there are none as easy to style as leopard, which is why I’ll be getting this style. The fuzzy fleece lining is calling my name, considering I’m a summer person who has to make it through the cold months. I also like that the cuffs have velcro so you can keep out any drafts, the hood has the cosy fleece and there’s a hidden pocket inside to keep my phone safe when it’s tipping it down. Not into prints? It also comes in plain grey, teal, and burgundy.
Rain jacket with Stormmove, H&M, £54.99
If you’re more of a short coat person, you’ll want to see H&M’s edit of rain jackets. Anything burgundy gets a firm yes this season, so this one is at the top of my wishlist. Made with StormMove, it’s designed to be waterproof and windproof while also staying breathable thanks to the vent flap at the back and mesh lining – because not every rainy day is a super cold one, is it? While it’s from the H&M Move collection and will of course be the one to wear over gymwear, I also think the sleek design will lend itself well to our everyday uniforms. I would definitely wear it undone over baggy jeans with a long-sleeve top or buttoned up fully with cigarette jeans and boots.
Khaki waterproof parka coat, George, £48
On the lookout for a classic raincoat that’ll just go with every outfit you already own? A khaki parka has never and will never fail. Another style with double the wind and rain protection thanks to the zip and popper closure, this one also has a drawstring hood and waist (to get that cinched look) along with clever stretchy cuffs.
It also features this year’s key neckline: the funnel neck. So basically, we have George at Asda to thank for this timeless under-£50 waterproof coat that’s bound to go the distance in our wardrobes for years to come. Note: while it’s already quite oversized, I do love the look of a baggier khaki coat, so I would size up to get that slouchy feel – plus it’s even better for adding all the hidden layers.