One style doesn’t fit all. From left to right, a taffeta trench from Milan’s Twinset, Free People’s Rain and Shine trench and a no-frills mac from Everlane.
By Janet Kelly
SELENA GOMEZ wears a bunch of scene-stealing coats in her role as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building. In the fourth season, as the crime podcasting trio (Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short) heads to Hollywood, Mabel dons a trench coat, a cliché for a detective. Except Mabel’s is anything but. It’s from French label Sandro, and its delicate pleating sets it apart from the pack. (How she affords this spendy coat —a version in gray sells for $865 at Bloomingdale’s—while supposedly unemployed is another matter.)
Anyway, Mabel got me to contemplating coats for fall weather that can turn in a nanosecond from bright and sunny to a downpour (recently, thanks to Helene here on the East Coast). I still love the classic trench worn by the likes of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer. Like Mabel though, I’m attracted to the new, including a taffeta trench with ruffles from Milan’s Twinset, a swashbuckling navy cape from & Other Stories and Free People’s woman-on-the-go coat with reflective zippers, no less.
Rain is not required to wear any of these coats, but if you’re wearing one to protect you from the elements, keep these distinctions in mind: water-resistant, which offers the lowest level of protection, will keep you dry in a light rain for a short time; a step up is water-repellent, meaning water can’t easily penetrate the fabric, instead beading on the outside. If you’re caught in a drenching rain, your best bet is waterproof, which provides a complete barrier.
Take a look below to see what weather-ready coats let you be you—but dry.
For a fresh spin on a classic, Parisian designer Evelyne Chétrite combined epaulets and storm flaps—details of the wardrobe stalwart—with schoolgirl pleats. Yes, please. The trench sells for $790.
This spiffy-looking, cotton-twill coat also riffs on the traditional with a stand-up collar (for wind and rain protection) Uber-wide belt, big patch pockets and corduroy details. If the weather turns warm, your arms have an escape hatch through slits in the sleeves. It sells for $735.
Never heard of Lolë? Listen up. The Montreal-born brand’s mission makes clothes that not only look good but last, too. (I had a pair of Lolë leggings that I wore on repeat for many years.) The zip-up-the-center trench has an adjustable hood and it’s water-repellent, meaning water won’t easily seep through to skin. Also, there’s plenty of room to layer up. It sells for $166 and is available in two other colors.
Barbour Francis Waterproof Coat
Like so much veddy British, Barbour appeals to us upstart Americans. This sporty-chic coat should keep out the rain and keep in the warmth with a light perky plaid lining and a zipper closure plus snaps. It sells for $495.
The original mac, named for 19th-century Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh, was made from waterproof material. But that has changed over time. What hasn’t is the stripped-down silhouette, a more casual alternative to the classic trench. The Mac Coat is water-resistant, so it can handle light rain, not a downpour. This one from Everlane also comes in army green and black and sells for $178.
Storm Stopper Mackintosh Trench
The Buck Mason label has been on my radar lately. Originally only menswear, it has expanded to include women’s clothing. (Both are made in the U.S.A., kind of a rarity.) Similar to Everlane’s mac but with a belt, tab cuffs and a water-repellent finish. It sells for $348 and also comes in black.
Think Audrey or Meryl in Ayr’s take on the trench. A step below water-repellent, this classic coat is made of recycled cotton twill that’s water-resistant (some water may seep through). It sells for $695.
If you’re a sporty girl on the go—or want to look as if you are—this Free People coat, more mac than trench, has your name on it. Made from a lightweight, waterproof and durable fabric, it even has reflective zippers. In case you can’t see your hiking partner through the heavy fog and rain?
This is what I’d call a going-out raincoat for days/nights I just want to look a bit more polished. From Milan-based Twinset, it’s made of taffeta, which I think of as dressy, but it’s also water-repellent. The high neck is also functional, while ruffly cuffs add a feminine vibe. It sells for $381 at Farfetch.
& Other Stories tweaks the short trench coat style with its loose, wide look and bold navy color. It sells for $259. I also like this one from Cuyana with a contrasting black grosgrain belt and water-repellent coating.
Lohja Long Insulated Curve Jacket
The Rains brand scores high on functionality–it’s waterproof and windproof—with this jacket/coat). It also has a light interior padding to make it a go-to in between seasons or through mild winters.
Somehow my mom’s Burberry ended up in my house. She was bigger than I am, but I’m wondering if I could wear it anyway. Gonna try it. Classics are classic for a reason.
Love the “Mac” — and not just for the price. Something about a classic!