17 rain coats and waterproof jackets that are actually stylish and practical (promise)

It’s time to organise a search party for the best rain coats, folks, because this wet weather really came out of nowhere. If, like us, you’re under-prepared and actually only own one of those thin windbreaker-style waterproofs you usually reserve for festivals, then you’ll want to stick around.

We’ve been hunting down the most stylish waterproof jackets and rain coats women can wear. Why? Take a look at the weather app on your phone and you’ll see next week’s forecast is set to be just as bleak as this one. One minute 17-degree sunshine (which is strange enough as it is given the fact it’s now November), the next windy showers. Rather than depending on umbrellas – which are actually quite unreliable given the fact they break as soon as there’s a rumour of a breeze – we’ve found 19 surprisingly stylish and functional waterproofs. Win win.

Rain unfortunately comes with the territory of winter, and although we love nothing more than a crisp-but-sunny day, we’re more likely going to receive unexpected catch-you-mid-walk sudden downpours. Alas we can’t stay indoors all season (or can we?), so it’s a case of braving the storm in a chic women’s anorak.

We know what you’re thinking; does such thing exist? While they’ll never be as chic as your wool coats or as easy to throw on as your cosy teddy, waterproof jackets are somewhat essential when the Great British weather is as unpredictable as it is, and you’ll be surprised at the brand’s that stock them. So, yes, you can wear a rain jacket without looking like you’ve just stepped out the latest copy of Walker’s Weekly.

You can pick up a minimalist Rains’ coat at Net-A-Porter and look sophisticated and stay dry in it, or you could head over to The North Face for an equal parts sensible and sartorial silhouette instead. On the high-street, look to ASOS DESIGN and Zara for water-repellent parkas and trench coats, and if you’re still not sure, most waterproof jackets and coats feature a packaway design, so you can store them neatly in your bag if you really don’t want to be seen in one apart from when it’s drizzling.

For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith, and for more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.

Ready to make a purchase your mum would be proud of? Scroll down to shop our edit of the best raincoats for women and stylish waterproof jackets.