The Raincoats That Don't Make You Look Like You're About to Climb Snowdon

Water-resistant handles a drizzle. Waterproof handles Manchester. If the label mentions taped or sealed seams, that's the good stuff, because rain gets in through the stitching otherwise. And get a hood, however good your hair looks. Umbrellas last about three days in British wind.

Rains is the one you've seen on every cyclist in Hackney, and for good reason. Matte, fully waterproof, not silly money. Stutterheim is the Swedish splurge, rubberised and very chic. ARKET and COS both do clean, longline macs that look nice over tailoring.

A Barbour wax jacket will outlive us all, and they'll rewax it for you when it gets tired. A Burberry trench is the dream, though gabardine is shower-proof rather than storm-proof, so know what you're buying. For the coastal-walk vibe, Seasalt Cornwall makes genuinely waterproof coats that don't look like hiking gear, and Joules is good if you want a pop of colour.

Fine, we've come round to it. A Patagonia Torrentshell in black looks surprisingly good with a midi skirt and loafers. Arc'teryx is expensive, but it's the last raincoat you'll ever buy. The North Face sits in the middle, and UNIQLO's BLOCKTECH range is a cheap and very decent alternative.

Selfridges stocks Rains, Stutterheim and Barbour under one roof, which saves a lot of tabs. John Lewis has a big outdoorsy range and an easy returns desk. END. is where to go for the technical brands, and Net-a-Porter if you want a designer trench.

A hood that actually stays up. Try it on, turn your head and see if it moves with you or blocks your view. A peak or a wired brim keeps the rain off your face. Look for storm cuffs that close around the wrist, a flap over the zip, and pockets with a cover so your phone doesn't get soaked. A two-way zip is a small thing that makes a long coat much easier to sit down in on the train.

Length matters more than people think. A coat that stops at the hip means wet thighs every time you walk to the station. Mid-thigh or longer is the sweet spot.

Most raincoats aren't warm on their own, and that's actually a good thing. Wear a fine knit underneath in October, then add a padded gilet or a quilted liner jacket from November. UNIQLO's ultra-light down vests fold into nothing and slot under almost any shell. That way one coat gets you through from the first drizzle to the March downpours.

Every waterproof eventually stops beading, and it's not because it's worn out. Dirt and body oils clog the fabric. Wash it with a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash, never normal detergent or fabric softener, then reproof it with a spray-on treatment. Do it once or twice a season and the coat will last years. Wax jackets need rewaxing every year or two. Barbour will do it for you, or you can buy a tin and do it yourself on a sunny afternoon.

A proper umbrella that doesn't flip inside out on the first gust. Fulton and London Undercover are both good, and John Lewis stocks a decent range. A waterproof boot, because a great coat with soggy trainers misses the point. And a canvas or nylon tote rather than suede. Rain and suede do not mix.

Final tip: buy a size up so it fits over a chunky jumper. Nobody wants to discover in January that their raincoat only works over a T-shirt.