Searching for the best raincoats for men can be as unpredictable as Cleveland’s weather. Once strictly utilitarian items, luxury men’s raincoats have progressed into a top fashion category. You have probably seen new styles, colors, patterns and versatility. You see companies offering enhanced and improved fabric construction, water-repellent finishes and fabrics that possess non-wrinkling and good recovery performance. All these choices, while great, leave you confused and frustrated.
Help has arrived! Let’s begin by answering the following question:
What should I look for in a raincoat?
You should first look for the coat that reflects your personal style. Do you work in an environment where suits, sport jackets and trousers are expected? Or are you wearing chinos and a polo? Consider your work environment, professional and personal travel schedule, social life and how you spend your weekends. You should nonetheless expect and desire the highest quality of fabric, construction and functionality as you would in a made-to-measure suit.
Here are 3 of The Best Raincoats for Men you Should Consider:
Coat 1 – THE WINDSOR TRENCH COAT
Style – classic double breasted silhouette with a 10 button front.
Fabric – a beige water-resistant 100% Grenfell Cloth cotton outer, 100% cotton lining and 100% satin sleeve lining. Learn more about: Inventing Grenfell Cloth
Construction – they don’t offer any specific details, but they are recognized globally as one of the finest makers of outerwear coat and jackets, designing and crafting them in their own factories since 1923. Learn more here: Made in England
Function – the raglan sleeves’ fuller armhole-along with the satin sleeve lining-makes it a little easier for you to slide on and off, belted cuffs can be tightened to keep out the weather, hook and eye below the collar will help keep the collar closed, back yoke allows water to roll away from your body, inverted pleat provides ease of movement as well as block wind and rain, optional wool/blend liner for additional insulation.
Coat 2 – OXFORD – THE ICONIC MAC
Style – single breasted silhouette with a 5 button fly-front closure, 3/4 length.
Fabric – navy water-repellent bonded cotton.
Construction – hand-finished, fully-taped seams, handmade in Scotland. Learn more here: Video – MAKING A MACKINTOSH
Function – the throat latch secures the collar, minimizing wind and rain, underarm eyelets allows the coat to breathe, adjustable interior tab attaches to any interchangeable linings for additional insulation, slash front pockets, interior phone pocket and a single vent for ease of movement.
Short Men – an alternative to The Iconic Mac could be the CAMBRIDGE
Coat 3 – ARHOLMA
Style – minimalist single breasted silhouette with a 7 metal press stud fastener front closure.
Fabric – green durable 530 gram rubberized 100% cotton fabric.
Construction – sewn by hand with heavy thread and the inner seams are hand-taped so the coat is rainproof.
Function – breathable cotton lining, interior pocket, metal press stud fasteners and cotton drawstring to secure hood.
Learn more here: Arholma – The Original Premium Raincoat
What color raincoat is best?
Trench Coat – Your trench coat should be in traditional tan shades–with the acceptance of navy and black. I personally prefer the lighter shades of tan for the spring and summer. Just as I enjoy the warm earth-tone hues of fall, I equally enjoy the light and bright shades of spring and summer. While your trench coat can be worn for any occasion, it’s worn to its best advantage with a suit. The double breasted silhouette lends itself to the formality of business dress–not business or office casual.
Mac Coat – While I personally favor the navy, your mac coat could certainly be in a tan shade as well. However, you should consider the where and when of this coat. The silhouette certainly lends itself to more casual clothing both professionally and personally. The mac can give you that smart look expected in your business and office casual attire and that dressed-down look for a Saturday evening dinner with your significant other. When traveling, you have less control over the cleanliness of the environment. Therefore, the possibilities of attracting stains makes the navy a better travel companion.
Classic Fisherman’s Coat – If you want to wear the iconic “slicker”, then you will need to be comfortable in yellow. A great color if you are lost, want to avoid being struck by a car, or have an overwhelming need to be seen. Seriously, this coat is a great weekend warrior to throw on with your favorite pair of jeans, chambray shirt and rain boots. It’s stylish enough for a Saturday morning breakfast with friends and sturdy enough for a Sunday exploration in the great outdoors. There is no right or wrong color, though; the best color will be the color you choose.
Should raincoats be oversized?
No. A raincoat’s size needs to be determined by your personal preference and what it will be worn over. If you are buying a trench coat or mac coat with an optional liner, I strongly suggest you try it on (with and without the liner) with what you will normally be wearing with the trench or mac coat. Your sleeves should be long enough to cover your suit, sport coat and shirt sleeve completely. If too long, the sleeves leave you looking like you’re wearing your big brother’s coat. Lastly, the length of the trench coat is most versatile at mid-calf. The mac coat should be at knee-length and the fisherman’s coat at mid-thigh.
REMEMBER: Umbrellas are not a real alternative to raincoats.
Dress Well & Succeed
Photo Credit: watches – GRENFELL
Photo Credit: clothing – MACKINTOSH
Photo Credit: clothing – STUTTERHEIM
