A season for anoraks

Farewell April showers, hello May monsoons. We’re stuck with the weather but some stylish rainwear might put a smile on your face
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2 May 2012

Every Friday my grandmother sends me the same text message from the hairdresser’s: “Freezing in Scotland but cosy here under the dryer”. I usually reply with my own brief weather synopsis. It’s a deliberately routine exchange but one I treasure not only because Mavis, the grandma in question, is one of the coolest people on earth (can your grandma text?) but because she shares my love of weather chat.

So strong and unfaltering is my affection for pondering precipitation levels and speculating over wind-chill factors that during these past few weeks of almost persistent rainfall I’ve barely shut up. But it’s not just the grey cloud cover that has kept me — and other fashion-cum-weather fanatics — stocked in conversation of late but the matter of what constitutes a brilliant raincoat.

Triggered by the announcement that Burberry — the Dom Perignon of rainwear labels — has accrued record sales of more than £ 1 billion in the past six months and that fellow trenchcoat brand Aquascutum has recently collapsed into administration, the subject of rainwear is gaining some serious fashion airtime. But this debate encompasses much more than the classic trenchcoats made famous by Burberry and Aquascutum — it also includes anoraks.

A new-found favourite with the capital’s stylish gents and trend-savvy women, the hooded anorak, or parka, to use its less naff title, offers a far edgier and altogether more approachable alternative to the trench. Not least because in its most readily available colour of sunshine yellow, its design harks back to that of a humble fisherman’s jacket.

Instantly recognisable by its short cut — it should fall to the top of the thigh — and its large patch pockets, anoraks are available in a range of shops this spring. So much so, in fact, that you may find yourself spoilt for choice.

If a high-quality jacket is a concern, avoid the high street and seek out luxury outdoors labels. Posh French brand Aigle — the Gallic answer to Barbour — has a vast selection of slouch-fit anoraks in earthy shades of green and beige, while the likes of APC, Penfield and Hentsch Man also have a plenitude of jackets in this style on offer.

For the most up-to-date way to work your new anorak, team with loose-fitting shorts or slouchy jeans and deck shoes. On particularly inclement days, a vibrant scarf in a contrasting bright shade will lend a playful punch to your anorak of choice, while during balmy spring showers wearing one with a printed sundress and sandals is more than acceptable.

Of course, if this wet weather continues, I’ll be wearing mine with wellies and a scuba suit.

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