The Best Men’s Waterproof Coats For Staying Dry In Style
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35 seconds ago
These are the coats we'll be saving for a rainy day
The mac, trench and cagoule have been turned into objects of desire, says Shane C. Kurup. And for those days when the rain falls fast and hard (a regular occurence here in the UK), you’ll want one of these chic waterproof coats for men to see your through it.
It’s Raining (On) Men
Since time immemorial, mankind has sought to outwit the elements. The ancient Chinese made raincoats from straw, making the wearer look like a walking thatched house, while in the 1750s Jonas Hanway faced flack from hansom cab drivers for being the first man to wield an umbrella on the streets of London, fearing their trade would be decimated on damp days by these newfangled ‘portable roofs’. Fast forward a few centuries and the trench coat, mac and cagoule have become staples for anyone living in a locale where forecasts are a game of meteorological roulette – and brands are responding with technical and design details that blend fashion and function.
This season, Burberry, the self-styled king of the trench – now under the guise of design virtuoso Daniel Lee – has recast the standard issue garment in a louche silk-cotton blend shell, with a detachable collar made from intricately handstitched leather in the house’s signature check.
Mackintosh – another stalwart of the genre – combines its British sensibility with Japanese acumen and has recently teamed up with cult outerwear label C.P. Company for an urban spin on the mac. The coats incorporate C.P.’s trademark goggles into the hood – just the thing when it really starts hammering down (or if you’re just a statement-maker). For sci-fi levels of weatherproofing, Vollebak’s Full Metal jacket is a totally impervious yet breathable futurist shield made from 11km of copper, which makes its surface uninhabitable to viruses and bacteria.
If your mantra is ‘less is more’, Antwerp-based KASSL Editions combines clean-cut simplicity with intelligent engineering that speaks for itself. Taped seams and coated treatments ensure the brand’s designs can withstand the deluge – but their contemporary elegance means they’re ideal for wearing even when there are no clouds in sight. ‘Rainwear should be effortless and integrated enough to replace a blazer or an overcoat,’ explains KASSL Editions co-founder Ilse Cornelissens. ‘It should feel like a natural extension of personal style.’
Norwegian Rain, which hails from Bergen – officially the rainiest city in Europe – crafts rainwear that combines Japanese and Ghanaian design elements and is chock-full of practical features. Its padded Raincho, for example – which looks like it deserves a display case in MoMA – is filled with Norwegian wool and incorporates a magnet-fastening collar, cashmere lining and a windstopper in the hood to cocoon the wearer from the elements.
But how do you know whether a designled raincoat is about substance and not just style? ‘Check whether the fabric is breathable – otherwise you’re going to sweat and be wet on the inside,’ explains T-Michael, co-founder and head of design at Norwegian Rain. He favours recycled Japanese technical fabrics that are highly water resistant, but breathable. ‘Also check the seams are heat sealed for water tightness. Feel them with your finger. If they’re slightly more pronounced or stiff, they’re good.’
Rainwear should protect you from the elements without ever looking technical or overdesigned, adds Cornelissens of KASSL Editions. ‘We start with a design that feels architectural and timeless and then quietly integrate performance. Finishing is key – clean bonding, durable stitching – and a sense of restraint throughout. The best raincoats don’t shout about functionality; they simply perform.’
With pickings this rich, you’ll be willing dark clouds to appear on the horizon.
