KEEP IT LIGHT

A springtime coat needs to be hardy enough to keep out drizzle but not so heavy that it’s too hot in the sunshine, says Jacqueline Wake Young

If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes, so the saying goes about the Scottish climate. “Four seasons in one day,” is another description. That’s all very funny, but where does it leave us when choosing what coat to wear? As explained previously on these pages, only American tourists have the ability to be practically and comfortably attired for the Scottish weather.

The rest of us tend to need a minimum of 13 coats, jackets and hoodies which we use interchangeably – often wearing all of them at the same time.

In Scotland, a sweater surplus to requirements goes around the waist, never the shoulders – it isn’t the Henley Regatta.

And when it’s suddenly too warm for a parka, that is carried under one arm – or for a touch of nostalgia, in the playground superhero style with just the hood over the head.

We get around the problem having four seasons in one day simply not staying outdoors for that long.

The best we can hope for is outerwear that will work for a maximum of two seasons – and at this time of year, that means something that will function in rain or shine.

We need something lightweight that we won’t swelter in for the five minutes that the sun comes out and reasonably rain resistant – we are talking a mac, trench or raincoat.

The classic, cream-coloured trench can be a fashion masterstroke if styled inventively – just tying the belt with a little panache can make all the difference between catwalk queen and full-on Frank Spencer. of by all

Chocolate-brown suede-effect belted throw-on jacket, £26, George at Asda.

Red shower-resistant rubber raincoat, £32, Tu Clothing.

Hooded trench coat, £90, River Island.

Jungle mac jacket, £85, Joe Browns.

Trench, £55, M&S Collection.

Leather trench, £230, Next.

Trench, £100, River Island.

Padstow jacket, £259, Barbour.