Cover photo credit: UF Pro
In this article, I would like to respond to Jean who asked an interesting question in the comments to the Let's Talk Clothing video on coats .
He asks us how to protect our heads if it rains :
This is an opportunity to make a short list of the options available to you.
Some will appear obvious to you. Others, probably a little less :)
Hooded coats and jackets
1. Raincoats
This is a broad category that includes several types of hooded raincoats, mostly mid-season .
You will find there in particular:
The elegant raincoat
We are talking here about raincoats specially designed to be more elegant than average, to blend in well with a suit for example.
I am of course thinking of what Norwegian Rain does:
You will also find products of this type at:
- Suitsupply , technical wool raincoats
- UBR , I am thinking of the EX-3 Delta Coat in particular
The rain slicker
I am referring here to straight, plain rain coats, made of plastic material, with a rather casual style.
You probably have in mind the Petit Bateau yellow raincoat .
You will also find slightly more stylized versions of this type of raincoat at Stutterheim.
This Stutterheim patchwork raincoat is very pretty
Such a product has several advantages:
- Well waterproof
- Not very expensive
- Quite a nice design
Its main disadvantage is that it is not very breathable.
The hooded pimp
The mac is a coat that does not have a hood.
It's rather rare but there are certain mac models with a removable integrated hood.
I find the aesthetic result not bad at all:
Mackintosh
In addition to Mackintosh , I see a model of this kind from the Folk brand.
2. The parka
The parka is a hooded garment that is perfectly suited for rain.
There are more or less thick, more or less long, more or less waterproof parkas.
All parkas will provide you with minimal protection against rain (against light showers).
And as you probably know, there are parkas with higher technical standards (water-repellent, waterproof and breathable), which can protect you against downpours and downpours.
To find out more about the different types of parkas that exist and associated degrees of technicality as well as the brands where to find these products, I invite you to read the two articles that I wrote on this subject:
- What type of parka to choose? + brand recommendations
- The underside of parkas: what the brands say (or not)
Norse Projects Gore-Tex Parka
I also want to add a mention here about wool parkas , because I'm seeing a lot of them this season.
Its main advantage: it is a little more elegant than a parka in synthetic fabric or cotton.
This is not a completely waterproof garment to wear for a long time in pouring rain. But the hood will completely protect you from the urban drizzle.
To find wool parkas, see:
I find the model proposed by Harmony quite successful
3. The duffle coat
The duffle coat looks a bit like a parka in shape.
It is distinguished by the horn buttons attached with a cord at the front
It is traditionally made of wool and has a hood.
The duffle coat will hold up well against a small or medium shower, as the wools used are often rather dense and thick.
It is at Gloverall that you will have the most choice of duffle coats. Different colors, patterns, lengths... there's plenty to do.
We don't see much of it at the moment, but it wouldn't surprise me if it made a comeback in a few years.
However, you will find some at:
- Gloverall
- Armor Lux
- Saint James
- Invertère (available at Beige Habilleur and Peggs&Son in particular)
- Fortela
- SEH Kelly
4. The down jacket
The down jacket, in its thick, winter version, often has a hood.
It's more of a garment for the cold. The hood will fulfill its mission of protecting your head from small daily showers.
Since most down jackets are not fully waterproof, it is not the most recommended garment if you are exposed to heavy rain. There is a risk that water will pass through the external material and wet the padding inside the garment.
Wet padding can lose its loft, settle downwards and therefore lose its insulating properties. To learn more about this, I invite you to read Michel's article on padding .
To find pretty down jackets, you can look at:
- Suitsupply
- Woolrich
- Rocky Mountain Featherbed
- Allterrain Downhill
- Chevignon
I was particularly amazed by the precision of the cut and the countless hidden practical details of the Descente down jackets (which are very waterproof) that I was able to try at Elevation Store
Water-repellent and waterproof headwear
If you don't have a hooded coat, you can protect your head with water-resistant headwear.
1. The rain bucket hat
It was Jordan who introduced me to this accessory in his Panache on the trench coat :
I find the idea of the object quite fun.
It must also be said that the shape of the bob is adapted against the rain with its visor which encircles the head.
And we find them at all prices. So, it can be tested, right?
To find some, look at:
- Eagle
- Rains
- Stutterheim
- Traclet headwear
- Polished Concrete
- Lock&Co
- Norse Projects
- Norwegian Rain
I really like this waterproof reversible tartan/beige Lock&Co bucket hat available at Beige Habilleur
2. The cap
There are caps made from water-repellent or waterproof fabrics.
If you like the style, this is an interesting option to look into.
Norse Projects Gore-Tex Cap
You will find them at:
- Norse Projects
- Gore-Tex Infinium )
- Sealskinz
- Rains
- Traclet headwear
- Loro Piana (with their Storm System technology: a waterproof membrane behind a wool outer layer)
3. The hat
You may be wondering:
“Is a hat resistant to rain?”
This is where I pull out of my hat (haha) the techwear card.
There are indeed waterproof hats with a waterproof membrane.
This is found in particular at:
- Sealskinz
- Verjari
These two brands also offer waterproof socks and gloves with the same kind of technology.
This hat, which doesn't look like anything, is waterproof.
4. The wool hat
“There are also woolen headwear with a waterproof membrane?”
So I haven't seen any.
What I found, however, were wool hats with a water-repellent treatment on the outside.
This allows the hat to withstand light showers.
With a more formal coat such as a straight or double-breasted wool overcoat, this seems to me to be a good option.
You will find a large selection at:
- Traclet headwear
- Stetson
Water-repellent wool felt fedora found on Chapellerie Traclet
The umbrella
I admit I'm not a big umbrella connoisseur.
This is not an accessory that I use, not considering it particularly practical:
- Its use permanently blocks one hand
- When it is windy it becomes difficult to handle
- So bulky, it is difficult to store or take with you
- So small, it's easy to lose
I of course recognize that it can be a beautiful object and that it can add something to a style:
A simple, consistent and effective look found at Wicket. The umbrella, sober and which echoes the gray and brown of the outfit, has its place here.
For more specific advice on this accessory, I invite you to read our dedicated article: how to choose your umbrella?
Here are the brands mentioned in this article:
- Isotonate
- Fulton
- Ayrens
- Umbrellas of Cherbourg
- Piganio
- Il Marchesato
Finally, I would like to provide you with a small list of complementary brands in our spectrum offering umbrellas with a rather nice aesthetic:
If you know of other beautiful umbrella brands, I’m interested: share them with me in the comments 🙂
