The 14 Best Raincoats in Spring 2024

This versatile jacket is the fashion set's go-to, rain or shine.

Alaia SS24
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Raincoats are often an afterthought when building a winter jacket and coat collection—a layer of doom hanging in the far corner of the closet until the outerwear piece is essential for an impending downpour. As a kid, it seemed like the best raincoats were the least stylish, banned to closet isolation in favor of some of my best jean jackets. But in my adult life, I've learned that some of the most practical pieces are often worth a second look. Lizzy Hadfield, a British content creator who splits her time between two notoriously rainy cities, New York and London, knows a few things about picking out the best raincoats. "Being British means being well versed in the rain," quips Hadfield. She often defaults to British heritage brands, like Barbour, when dressing for wet weather. Her shopping philosophy centers around the basics: mainly, does it keep you dry? "Practical dressing is actually a fun challenge, and it can be chic when done right— it ticks all of the boxes, it can be an effortless part of your [wardrobe] and useful," says Hadfield.

But if you look at the runways, you'll see that modern-day raincoats aren't all about practicality. They can also have a fashion point of view. Simone Rocha designed coiffed, flowy sheer fabrics in the style of long traditional windbreakers with classic bungee ties at their London show, a nod to the girlhood aesthetic trend sweetness. While on Alaïa's Paris runway, rubberized blush-toned jackets offered a high-fashion solution to the rain. My younger self would be delighted with the fashionable raincoat options being revisited, updated, and refreshed. 

With raincoat options as tactical or as style-savvy as you'd like, you can match your rain jacket to your mood—and add a matching rain boot while you're at it. Ahead, London-based Marie Claire Digital Director Jenny Hollander, fashion editors, and reviewers weigh in on their picks for the best raincoats that won't compromise on function or style.

Simona Rocha, Alaia Spring Summer 2024

Raincoats don't have to be dull. Inspired by tactical rain jackets, Simone Rocha and Alaïa designed high-fashion versions that walked the runways at their Spring 2024 shows

(Image credit: Simona Rocha, Alaia)

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What to Look For in a Raincoat

Looking for a raincoat might seem pretty straightforward, but several subtle details make a good raincoat a great one. While it's pretty obvious that raincoats should all be waterproof, some rain jackets are designed for wearing in heavy rain versus light rain. Check the tag when in doubt, look for heavier fabrications for the colder weather, and opt for lighter fabrics, like nylon, for warmer weather. Many of the best raincoat options also have vents for breathability. If you're looking for a durable jacket for commuting, you might want to opt for a knee or calf-length silhouette to keep both your top and bottom half dry, while cropped styles are best suited for movement and exercise. There are also raincoats that can conquer multiple needs at once. Some outdoors-based brands like The North Face create rain jackets that can be worn in three different types of weather, while other brands, like RAINS, boast easy-to-style jackets that come in trendy colors, and will highlight some of the latest spring 2024 trends with a wide selection of seasonal colors and prints. 

How to Style a Raincoat

If you need inspiration for styling a raincoat with your wardrobe, Paris Fashion Week street style offered some great inspiration with its dreary two-week weather forecast. Guests nailed the assignment in fashion-forward raincoats paired back seamlessly to their outfits and accessories. This fashion week attendee managed to incorporate a soft blush color palette into her rainy-day look.

Maria Bernad wears a pink long coat, a Bottega Veneta cream color puff bag, a turtleneck brown dress, during Paris Fashion Week

This Paris Fashion Week attendee knows that rain doesn't have to keep you at home. The solution? A sleek blush raincoat that seamlessly pairs with some of spring's top trending accessories.

(Image credit: Getty)

Kendall Jenner is no stranger to a great trench coat; her pantyhose and Bottega Veneta leather trench coat look made waves on the internet. But if a pantless look is not in the cards for you, this caped trench coat from The Row might sway you to explore the many fashion possibilities that come with a great raincoat. Jenner styled hers for dinner in Los Angeles alongside a slightly flared pant and a sleek pair of black heels, proving you don't have to step outside to reap the style rewards of a great rain jacket.

Kendall Jenner walks in Los Angeles in a cape trench coat.

Kendall Jenner proves you don't have to step outside to reap the style rewards of a great rain jacket. This cape-style version is from The Row.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

Meet The Expert

Lizzy Hadfield
Lizzy Hadfield

Lizzy Hadfield has been amongst the most prominent fashion creators over the past decade, being named by The Sunday Times amongst their ‘Top 100 Influencers’, by Farfetch amongst their ‘Top 10 European Influencers’ and continuing to work with the biggest brands and publications in the fashion space.Now living between London and New York, Lizzy’s social platforms showcase her style tips living between the two fashion capitals – whilst maintaining minimal wardrobe of classic, interchangeable pieces. 

Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.