Shower-proof summer coats, by Adrian Clark
Our unpredictable summer weather (record temperatures one minute, unprecedented rainfall the next) brings its fair share of sartorial challenges. Top of the list: finding a waterproof jacket that’s summer appropriate – one that doesn’t weigh you down, offers ventilation and will protect you from sudden downpours. Gone are the days (thankfully) when the only lightweight options available for keeping dry looked like a hotel shower cap that you could neatly fold away in a zip-up pouch. Now, brands are embracing the latest tech, with stylish results. It goes without saying that Barbour has earned its stripes keeping Britons dry, and has some great summerweight jackets, the best of which is the Clanfield jacket, a casual windcheater cut from a waterproof, breathable fabric.
Marks & Spencer has developed a range of jackets with “Stormwear” technology – its burgundy bomber with six exterior pockets is a winner. If you want to splash out, Paul Smith has a great jacket in a lightweight showerproof fabric, lined in an “artist-stripe” mesh for breathability. Or take a look at Italian outerwear brand CP Company, known for its state-of-the-art fabrics. My favourite is the CP
Shell in scooter red with concealed
goggles in its hood. Hackett has developed a range of water-repellent blazers, made from a rain-resistant Italian wool flannel. Yet my pick of the bunch is J.Crew’s Wallace & Barnes survey khaki parka in Ventile cotton (a durable fabric that gains character over time). Inspired by the British Antarctic Survey parka, it will see me through autumn.