I cannot overemphasize how desperately I need a rain trench with a hood! It rains here all fall, winter and spring, and I'll need to go out in it one to two times per day to walk my kids to classes, playgrounds, etc. I'll need both hands to push my heavy stroller so the hood is a must--I can't carry an umbrella. I used to have a Michael Kors eggplant rain trench but it didn't stand the test of time, and now I have a gaping wardrobe hole that will leave me housebound if I can't fill it (not an option). I was hoping to find something that basically functioned as gear without actually being gear, but it's no small task.

All that to say, is this coat hopelessly "gear"? It's from MEC and was on sale for $89, which is a steal. It's Gore-Tex, though, and when it's not fastened all the way the ugly grey fleece that lines the neck/collar shows, as does the plasticky interior of the hood (it's white but looks pale pink in the photos). I'm also unsure of the colour on me. It's a very bright tomato red, a bit warmer and brighter than it appears in the pics. Does it flatter? Will I get sick of it? Can I wear it with chocolate brown or cognac boots?

I'm open to alternative trench suggestions (must be trench length, mid-thigh or longer, or my legs will be soaked from the rain running off the front of the coat)! I'm in Canada.