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Trench coat expertise

UmmLila (Lisa)

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I was thinking of a fall rain coat.

Where I live, fall raincoat season really requires a raincoat with some sort of wool or fleece lining, otherwise the garment would be useless after about the 20th of October. I tried this Boden mac, and it has all the functionality, but I felt very un-fab in it. I sent it back.

Are there any VERY fashionable trench coats that include warmer features or hoods?

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Latest reply was from Barbara Diane

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. When I went looking many years ago, I didn't find any raincoats with hoods and liners whose style appealed to me. I know that both London Fog and Burberry have some models that have a removable lining, but the look made me prefer a light winter coat over a bulky trench.

Diana

Veteran

I looked at a lot of hooded/lined trenches last fall and this spring and came to the same conclusion as GF. They never look as sleek as I would like, and the lining was often bunchy or lumpy. I'd rather wear a lightweight wool coat if it's too cold for a normal trench.

ETA: you might consider a wool coat in a trench coat style. My grey Burberry wool coat is like this (although it's quite warm, more like a deep winter coat for me.)

Diana

Veteran

Oh I missed the part where you said you were looking for a RAINcoat. My solution for this was to go for a more casual anorak style rather than the not-quite-casual, not-quite-polished hooded trenches. I bought this RL anorak (the one with the weird fake hood liner thingy) at NAS, which is hooded and fleece lined. It'll be warm enough for me through November or so but I run warm.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Soft Shell Anorak

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Muffin

Veteran

I have a Burberry Brit trench with a button in/out lining and a removable hood. Living in Portland, OR this coat serves me pretty well from October-April. The lining is relatively thin and I don't find it bulky. They can be very spendy but for as much as I wear it over the past 4 years it's been golden!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I live in the desert, so I'm no help!

Keix

Veteran

I bought the Boden Rainy Day Mac a few years ago and wore it to death (and got tons of compliments)--it was a more subdued navy polka dot print, though. And it does have kind of a funky shape, with wide sleeves; not quite a trench.

I don't have any concrete suggestions for you, although I'll be watching closely because I need to replace my Boden mac and I don't like any of the current prints. But you might try looking for a lined water-resistant jacket that doesn't have a hood, and just carrying an umbrella. Those styles tend to be more refined to my eye.

JAileen

Veteran

I live in a desert where it rarely rains (88 days without rain until last Friday). However, we do travel to places where it rains.

Several years ago we were going on a spring trip to Europe, so I ordered a London Fog with a zip out liner. I felt very unfab in it. I returned it, and it ended up raining only one day on our trip.

I eventually bought a Patagonia shell with zip out liner and hood. I took it on a winter trip and it was very waterproof but not warm enough for the damp freezing weather without lots of layers. But it is sleeker looking than the trench, plus it's functional. A raincoat that isn't waterproof is useless in my book.

El Cee

Veteran

I have two trenches from London Fog that have detachable hoods and zip out liners -- one long (mid calf) and one shorter (just above knee). They are perfect for the long and sometimes wet shoulder seasons we have here in southern New England. They are a few years old and still going strong. I would not call them "VERY fashionable", but they are certainly classic and stylish. If you want "edgy" or "trendy" these are probably not the coats for you -- but you may want to take a look just to see what they have this season: http://www.londonfog.com

Lenni A

Also in New England here, I have a coat I think of as my "winter rain coat" from LL Bean. It's black with a parka shape, a layer of Thinsulate that isn't bulky or puffy, and a wool lining in the top half in a red and black plaid that extends into the hood. I wouldn't say it's particularly FASHIONABLE but it's great in really cold rain/sleet and it has a kind of old-school traditional sportiness that does make me feel good in a preppy-and-prepared way. Works well with rain boots or winter boots.

viva

Veteran

This is a hole in my closet for sure. I'll be watching to see what you find. What I use in the fall is a very thin quilted coat that is waterproof but not breathable, so it can be like wearing a trashbag, and it has no hood so I carry an umbrella. It's not really ideal.

RobinF

Veteran

I have been on the search for a stylish raincoat for several years. I am surprised how many don't have hoods. They are so much simpler than umbrellas. I did finally get one this year that has the hood rolled up in the collar. It is more the anorak style than trench. I'm still not sure if I love it or not, I was just settling with it since we were going to Alaska and I really needed something. Then I ended up wearing my lightweight down instead. Anyway, I sure wish cute ones would come back in style!

Staysfit

Veteran

I have a rather unfashionable, very plain and practical North Face 3/4 length waterproof raincoat with a zip out lining. I love it so much, it's going on its fourth year. They have made a new version every year and I keep looking for a color I like because mine will need replacing, but it wears like iron. So far it still looks barely worn.

ETA: It has a zip off hood.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

My trench coats from London Fog, Calvin Klein, and Gallery have had the zip- or button-in linings and they have been water-resistant enough they they were/are my rain coats for Seattle. Only the London Fog lacked a hood. I like them because they are not gear. My Gallery coat is old, and I've since passed it on, but the other two are in Finds.
A lot of brands make this kind of coat, so I would think you could find one that you like. I don't think you have to go to gear to get a decent raincoat for everyday.

eta: Okay, I just did some looking around on Nordstrom's site, and I see that this is a tough animal to find. So many of them don't have removable liners!

London Fog Double Breasted Trench Coat with Detachable Liner (Online Only)

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Calvin Klein Double Breasted Trench Coat (Online Only)

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Sheryl

You may want to consider buying whatever unlined trenchcoat or raincoat appeals to you, and buying a separate lightweight thin insulating jacket like the ones at Uniqlo. That's what I plan to do as soon as Uniqlo starts shipping to Canada.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Sheryl, that's a great idea.
UmmLila, good luck on your hunt. Please post what you find.