Rain with a twist: chic raincoats from the high street

Stylish and raincoats are two words that don't often go together, but when those winter showers happen, you want to be stylishly prepared. Because believe it or not, there is such a thing as a stylish raincoat or rain jacket, and in this fickle weather season, where the sun is shining one minute and hail is happening the next, you'll need a waterproof jacket on hand. Just in case.

Whether it's a damp school run or a rainy commute, a badly timed dog walk or a drizzly night out, there's no better time than now to invest in a raincoat that keeps you warm, dry and still stylish. You don't want to dampen the mood by rocking up with a rain ruined suede jacket or a wool coat that's so wet its adding on extra pounds. From the high street raincoats your budget will thank you for to the street style favourites, we've got you covered with our pick of the best raincoats for women.

Best raincoats for women at a glance

Leopard: Boden Longline Rain Mac, £165 / $239
Black option: Next Raincoat, £59 / $113
Warmest: M&S Hooded Parka, £80 / $129
Trending: Damson Madder Raincoat, £135
Khaki: Seasalt Cornwall Waterproof Coat, £179 / $358

A classic raincoat or rain jacket is a true necessity during autumn's unpredictable weather, and the ones I've rounded up are practical and look great. Remember, they don't need to cost a fortune and you can find plenty of cute raincoats for under £30 or turn to the pros like Rains and North Face who are always in vogue with their pretty yet practical rain jackets.

What's the difference between a 'waterproof' raincoat and 'water resistant' raincoat?

When shopping for a rain coat, you might want to take note of the fashion terms so you know what you're shopping (or Googling!) for. It a rain coat or rain jacket is 'waterproof', it means it is impenetrable by water – and might even have special details like sealed seams to keep water out. In basic terms, it's designed to withstand extremely wet weather and keep you dry even in a major downpour.

If the garment is described as 'water resistant' or 'water repellent', it is still rainy-weather worthy, but to a lesser degree. Water resistant fabrics offer the lowest level of protection, and will keep you dry in light rain, while water-repellent fabrics offer a slightly higher degree of protection from the rain.

Water-repellent raincoats and rain jackets resist water absorption, so aren't easily penetrated by pesky raindrops but don't guarantee the same level of dryness as waterproof.

It's also handy to know the difference between a rain coat and a rain jacket! A rain jacket typically is waist-length waterproof, water-resistant or water repellent outerwear, while a raincoat is longer, usually hip-length, knee-length or calf-length.

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How I chose the best raincoats for women

Now that you know a bit more about raincoats and jackets, I’ve scoured the high street for the best women's looks that are in stock. Here’s how I chose them:

Price: There’s a raincoat to suit every budget - whether you want an investment piece that will last you years, or a bargain piece that still does the job without breaking the bank. We selected raincoats at both ends of the scale, so there’s something for everyone. Where possible, we included waterproof jackets that are on sale.

Style: We looked for the most stylish raincoats for women that we could find. Just because the weather is horrid doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style!

Length: We recognise that some shoppers want a long raincoat, others want something shorter. We catered for both.

Colour: From bright shades to muted tones, and classic yellow, black and navy blue - we wanted raincoats to suit all tastes to feature in this roundup.

Reviews and trusted brands: We included raincoats from our list of trusted brands with solid reputations - Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Canada Goose and more. Where it wasn’t possible to test the coats ourselves we only selected waterproof coats that had a large volume of positive reviews from trusted shoppers.

So keep scrolling for a list of our favourite picks...

Shop the best waterproof jackets and raincoats for women

1 / 11
Boden Leopard Print Mac

£165 AT BODEN
£239 AT BODEN US
Editor's note: "This is the one to catch the eye. From the on-trend animal print to the adjustable hood, drawstring waist and longer length, it's a solid choice for keeping you dry - and super stylish too."

2 / 11
Friends Like These Mid Length Raincoat

£59 at Next
$113 at Next
Editor's note: "A classic black raincoat will go with every outfit and this is a brilliant price for one so chic. The water-repellent finish will keep you dry, with a full coverage hood and drawstring detailing."

3 / 11
M&S Stormwear™ Funnel Neck Utility Parka

£80 at M&S
$129 at M&S
Editor's note: "The hood, which folds away into the high collar when you don’t need it - is also lightly padded. The pockets can be fastened and the waist includes a drawstring."

4 / 11
Damson Madder Liu Shower Resistant Raincoat

£135 at Damson & Madder
Editor's note: "So in demand in this stunning raincoat that it's on pre-order - but really, it's worth the wait. It's shower resistant, it's tartan and it's oh so cool."

5 / 11
Seasalt Cornwall Seafaring Waterproof Coat

£170 at Seasalt
$358 at Seasalt Cornwall
Editor's note: "Khaki is a classic raincoat shade and this Seasalt rain jacket has the coolest silhouette, with an A-line parka shape and fishtail hem. The pockets are buttoned plus there's a handy internal pocket to keep your phone dry."

6 / 11
Scamp & Dude Raincoat

£149 at Scamp & Dude
Editor's note: "Scamp & Dude is known for their pops of neon and I love the coral trim on this khaki raincoat, sure to brighten up even the most dull of days. It's practical too, with a fully waterproof finish, adjustable cuffs (so you can really keep your hands dry) and a hood with drawcords."

7 / 11
Rains Long Jacket

£100 at Rains
$140 at Rains
Editor's note: "Rains is a brand you can definitely trust if you’re in the market for a new raincoat. They’re known for their sleek Scandi-inspired designs, clean lines, neutral colours and modern silhouettes - and great quality, fully waterproof coats, of course! Black raincoats are always in high demand, so this unisex design is out top pick. It features a drawstring hood, side pockets and adjustable hoods. Plus there are welded seams for extra protection against moisture."

8 / 11
ASOS Longline Fleece Hooded Raincoat

£70 at ASOS
Editor's note: "This bridges the gap between raincoat and fleece, as it has a super cosy and snuggly fleece lining to keep you warm and dry. The longer length is great too for keeping you super covered."

9 / 11
H&M Popover Raincoat with Stormwear

£119.99 at H&M
$74.99 at H&M US
Editor's note: "It's big, it's oversized and it can fold up tiny! This oversized raincoat goes over the head, but is sure to cover you almost from tip to toe."

10 / 11
Uniqlo BLOCKTECH Parka

£59.90 at Uniqlo
Editor's note: "If you’re on the hunt for a cropped raincoat then this is the nicest one I’ve seen by far. It’s fully waterproof, so it’ll keep you dry in the most heavy downpours. It has a three layer structure, to keep you as dry as possible."

11 / 11
New Look Shower Resistant Rain Coat

£39.99 at New Look
Editor's note: "If it's a pink raincoat your heart desires, head to New Look for their simple yet chic raincoat. It's unlined, so won't be too sweaty and has a drawstring hood to keep you as dry as you can be."

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