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4 hours ago
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We’ve all heard the adage, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” I’ve always felt this obfuscates the fact that winter can be tough precisely because of its soggy, grey – yes, “bad” – weather, even if you’re dressed head to toe in warm waterproofs. However, I now have to admit that the right clothes for the right weather can bring a freedom. Enter: the humble anorak.
I spent my 20s dreading winters, which I spent freezing, only thawing out come summer. Even then, a light July sprinkling might have stopped me in my tracks, so opposed was I to clothes that made concessions for meteorological conditions. But with adulthood came an admission that anoraks are low-key amazing. I bought one and – by keeping me dry and therefore warmer – it has, without hyperbole, changed my life.
But not all anoraks are created equal. Some are designed for the kind of conditions you might meet on an Icelandic fishing trawler, while others barely stand up to a summer drizzle. Some don’t seem to consider aesthetics at all, but others can keep their wearer dry without making them look as if they’re going on a log flume.
I’m now the proud owner of two anoraks, and often mix and match with my partner’s, depending on the occasion and type of rain with which I’m faced. Sometimes, I’ll wear an oversized raincoat over my smarter wool coat, and shed a layer as I reach my destination. Other times I wear one over a Uniqlo puffer jacket – a vital winter layer, in my book – and cycle, without feeling weighed down by wool and sweat.
The best women’s raincoats for 2025
Best all-rounder:
Rains long jacket
When it comes to wet-weather gear, Scandinavian brand Rains knows what it’s doing (the clue is in the name). This is one of the brands I reach for whenever the weather takes a turn; its long jacket has seen me through countless soggy commutes, playground trips and walks in the woods. After a muddy walk, it’s happily machine-washable – despite having been washed several times over the years, mine is still going strong (use a guppy bag when washing to help prevent the shedding of microfibres into the waterways). I’m a fan of the unisex cut, but if you prefer something a bit more sculpted, then an anorak with an A-line silhouette may be preferable.
It also comes in a shorter style, but I find the longer length more practical. Having said that, I often find myself with sodden legs, as rain seems to be expelled from the anorak and drip violently down on to my knees. Maybe next winter I’ll go for one of its waterproof all-in-ones. A cape – particularly in tinfoil silver – is tempting for cycling.
Best for a minimal look:
Uniqlo Blocktech parka
If you prefer your raincoat to be minimal – melting into the background rather than bringing main-character energy – then this parka may be for you. It looks like something Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy might have worn on the streets of Manhattan in the 90s, which is no bad thing. Available in black, beige, khaki and blue, the black and beige in particular channel low-key cool. Be warned, though, that this coat won’t stand up to more than a shower: opt for something less Kennedy-chic if you’re expecting heavy rain.
Best for torrential rain:
Stutterheim Stockholm raincoat
My partner has one of these sturdy garments from the Stockholm-based brand Stutterheim. The texture of the fabric is less like a traditional anorak and more like the tough skin of a dogfish – more hardy than any other waterproof I’ve come across. It somehow still manages to look desirable, thanks to the Scandi design sensibilities that have gone into it. As the label reads: “Swedish melancholy at its driest.”
Despite the underarm eyelets, it won’t be the best for strenuous activity – the heavy material would make an uphill cycle hot and sweaty work. There is a more lightweight version, which is less fit for the Atlantic and more apt for spring. There are a rare few colours here, such as peach, that fall outside the usual black, blue, khaki and yellow – and several colours currently have between 30% and 50% off, which is welcome on the cost of a £250 jacket.
Read our guide on how to choose a waterproof jacket for more advice on prices, features and fabrics
Best value for money:
Mac in a Sac Origin packable waterproof jacket
£37.50 at Mac in a Sac
£37.50 at John Lewis
Mac in a sac, cag in a bag – whatever you want to call it, this pack-it-down-tight-and-pop-it-in-your-schoolbag anorak will be well known to any child of the 90s. Decades later and it’s still going strong – as close to an icon as you can get in the wet-weather space – the Spice Girls of anoraks.
It’s also reasonably priced, weighs about the same as a punnet of strawberries and comes in an array of colours – neon blue, pink, orange, yellow and green; pink, soft orange and violet; classic black, navy and charcoal. The elasticated cuffs will help keep out rain, as will the adjustable hood, which can be pulled tight over your head for that particularly grim sideways kind of rain.
Best fashion-forward style:
Regatta Bayletta waterproof jacket
From £23.95 at Regatta
From £27.49 at Decathlon
There was a time when the words anorak and fashion wouldn’t be found dead in a sentence together, but times have changed. As ever, the dial has been pushed by one Mrs Prada, who sent a very Duke of Edinburgh-looking yellow raincoat down her spring/summer 2025 catwalk. The key is what you wear it with, however, so pair it with a cocktail dress – and definitely opt for the yellow – if you want to be true to Miuccia’s intentions.
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If you’re just after a bit of style over your old jeans and a sweatshirt, this green raincoat from Ganni may be more your speed. Or this classic Barbour waterproof trenchcoat, which is inspired by men’s tailoring but has a drawcord at the waist so that you can cinch it in or not depending on your mood. It’s not cheap, but the ubiquity of vintage Barbour jackets in good condition speaks to their hard-wearing nature. Could this be the raincoat to keep you dry in style for years to come?
If it’s a rainy day but you still need to look professional, Community Clothing’s belted raglan raincoat is the one for you. It doesn’t look out of place heading through the swivel doors of an office. Made from British Millerain (waxed) cotton, with a viscose lining, this coat is cut and sewn in Blackburn: with 137 rainy days a year, the town knows its way around a downpour. And while it’s probably no match for the heaviest rain, team it with a brolley and it should keep you dry on an otherwise soggy commute. It’s not cheap, but it’s well-made – and comes in smart black, navy and olive green.
Best for durability:
Patagonia Boulder Fork rain jacket
From £150 at Patagonia
£150 at Cotswold Outdoor
Outdoor gear specialist Patagonia offers DIY repair guides and a repair service via its website. Its Boulder Fork rain jacket isn’t cheap, but it’s built to be durable – and several of the colours are now on sale.
It’s eminently practical. The hood comes with a laminated visor, which sounds extreme, but I can see it being useful up a mountain – or at the bus stop. In fact, there are lots of clever design features on this jacket, such as a front pocket complete with a watertight zipper – perfect for your phone or bus pass. Patagonia is well regarded for its ethics, too.
Best for ‘a chance of showers’:
Muji water‐repellent hooded coat
If you’re after protection from torrential rain, then look away now. This sleek, chic “water-repellent” hooded coat from Muji is an easy, pragmatic layer for days when it might rain, and you don’t want to wear a full-on anorak. Simple and stylish, this would work just as well for work as it would on the weekend – plus, it’s minimal enough design-wise that it won’t clash with almost any outfit. For a practical layer that feels likely to enter your outerwear rotation beyond rainy days, this coat feels like good value.
Best to stash in your bag:
Finisterre Rainbird waterproof jacket
This lightweight waterproof jacket weighs just 300g and packs down small – perfect to ram into your bag just in case. This is advertised as a men’s jacket, but there’s something about the cut of some women’s anoraks that I find a bit old-fashioned. Size up in a men’s cut and this should fit over whatever else you have on as an extra waterproof layer. Some colours are on offer – although with several sizes sold out or low in stock, act fast if you want to nab one.
Best sustainable option:
Rapanui Raindrift raincoat
While most raincoats are made from some kind of plastic, this organic cotton, plastic-free option is worth considering. It might not cut it in driving winter rain, but it could hold its own against a spring shower. It’s coated with a PFC-free, water-resistant layer and comes in lavender grey and stone. The boxy cut should fit a chunky jumper underneath it, too.
