Summer has officially passed us by, and at least for those of us living in the Northwest part of the country, that means rain. Unless you live in the desert, you’re probably in the same wet, soggy boat. Having a raincoat that matches your everyday style will make running out of the house in the morning that much easier when you realize it’s going to be a rainy day. Instead of searching for that umbrella that always seems to go missing, throw on your perfect raincoat and face the weather in style. We’ve narrowed down our favorite picks for those who like to keep things high on style, those who just want something nice but casual, and those who prefer a sporty look. Pick your favorite and shelter yourself from those ever-present Fall showers.
High Style
These selections are for the style-conscious or those who have to wear a suit to work everyday, reluctantly or not. Nothing ruins the look of a great-fitting suit more than a sporty, bright colored rain jacket thrown on top. Pick something equally dressed up, like any one of these three options.
You really can’t go wrong with a classic trench, but be wary of looking like a detective in a full-length khaki version. We like this shorter black version because it looks more modern and is easier to pull off. The Burberry Brit Showerproof Trench (left, $750) has classic styling and is made with polyester to keep you nice and dry. The jacket has plaid lining, double-breasted buttons, a rain guard, and a removable belt.
Another classic version of the men’s raincoat is the Mackintosh jacket, which has a similar classic style to the trench but is single-breasted with a folded collar, as seen above. This particular style, the Oliver Spencer Farringdon Cotton Raincoat (middle, $515), has a preppy vibe with the red plaid lining and khaki color, but you can opt for a black or navy version to go a little more modern. The great thing about a coat like this is that it won’t be going out of style any time soon, so consider it an investment.
For something a little more stealth, a little less classic, but equally stylish, we like the Arc’Teryx Veilance Monitor Jacket (right, $950). This jacket is equal parts sleek minimalist and high-tech outdoorsman, with a simple design made from Gore-Tex that includes three waterproof pockets, a hood, and a unique fishtail design in back.
Casual
If you tend to dress a little on the casual side but still want something that will look good over your whole wardrobe, one of these casual choices should do the trick. They don’t go all the way into outdoorwear (like the options below), but they have a more casual look and vibe than your classic businessman options. All of these jackets would look good with casual slacks and a shirt or jeans and a tee.
Our favorite classic casual jacket is without a doubt the Fjallraven Greenland Jacket (left, $299). This great pick has army-jacket styling with a hood and large front pockets. The jacket is made from Fjallraven’s waxed G-1000 fabric, which swells when wet to protect you from the elements. To make it even more water-resistant, apply the company’s signature Greenland Wax to coat the jacket.
For a more preppy silhouette that still has a casual vibe, go for something styled like a classic parka. We like this Folk Waterproof Raincoat (middle, $350) for its sharp, clean details and waterproof fabric. Details like genuine leather trim, slanted pockets, and storm cuffs make this a high-quality style that will last for years.
For those who are wary of anything with too much styling, go for something simple like the Mountain Hardwear Cordoba Jacket (right, $100), which is about as simple as casual jackets go. The Cordoba Jacket has a minimalist design with a short collar, large front pockets, and a smaller chest pocket. The company’s Hex Fleece 180 lining provides light insulation for cooler days.
Sporty
If you have an uber-casual day job or need a jacket for your outdoor pursuits, your best bet is to go on a little shopping trip to REI. These sporty jackets are low on style in comparison to our other picks, but they make up for it in technical details and the best fabrics to protect you from the elements. We wouldn’t recommend throwing them over your business suit, but they will function perfectly with casual weekend wear or for that hike in the Fall rain.
The Patagonia Triolet Jacket (left, $399) has a lightweight design and all the technical details you could want in a rain jacket, like a helmet-compatible hood, pit zips, 3-layer Gore-Tex, reinforced high-wear areas, and watertight pockets. This jacket will serve you well from city errands to winter mountain sports.
If you’d like to keep things sleek but like all the technical upgrades that an outdoor-wear jacket has to offer, we like the Arc’teryx brand and the Beta AR Jacket (middle, $450) in particular. Great for slimmer frames, Arc’teryx tends to fit closer to the body, giving a sleeker silhouette. The AR Jacket is made from ultra-durable and waterproof Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric and has features like a laminated chin guard to protect skin, a special backing that lets the jacket slide over mid-layers with ease, and a dropped rear hem for extra coverage.
As a lower-priced option, the Marmot Oracle Rain Jacket (right, $175) is a perfect choice for anyone who needs something lightweight but with fewer high-tech details. The jacket is made from extremely lightweight, waterproof fabric and has pit zips, a storm hood, and mesh pack pockets. The jacket has a slight looser fit that’s designed to work on top of fleece jackets or soft shells.
