4 outdoor clothing brands that’ll make you wish for rain

As the old Scandinavian saying goes: ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.’ And we all know what it’s like to be ill-prepared, wrestling with an inside-out umbrella during a torrential downpour. Luckily for us, these four brands embrace the rain, producing stylish, durable, timeless pieces to see you through the drizzly season.

This 125-year-old British icon needs little introduction. Barbour made its name producing weatherproof outdoor clothing for the military, and is now endorsed by royalty – in fact, it’s the proud holder of three royal warrants. It’s also a hit with the celeb style set, recently launching a new partnership with Alexa Chung’s fashion label. Still family owned, it is best known for its green wax jackets, which are manufactured in its factory in Tyne & Wear. But it also produces versatile alternatives, such as quilted coats and cosy knitwear. 

This Danish brand, pronounced ‘Ilsa’, is new to John Lewis & Partners. Founded in 1993, it effortlessly blends style with practicality and is highly regarded in Scandinavia as a pioneer in outerwear. Rooted in Hornbæk, a seaside resort town where dense forest meets idyllic beaches, its rural surroundings continually inspire the brand’s direction. Most covetable are its lace-up rubber boots, which come in two heights and various colourways, and its investment-worthy raincoats that are almost too chic to simply walk the dog in.

Hunter is even more established than Barbour – it was founded in 1856 in Edinburgh by two Americans. It supplied rubber boots to the military in WWI and wellington boots remain the brand’s bestselling item to this day. That’s arguably thanks in part to Kate Moss, who wore a pair to Glastonbury in 2005 and opened up the brand to a whole new demographic – namely trend-conscious festival-goers.

Seasalt is a Cornish brand run by three brothers who took over the family business when their father died in 2001. Inspired by the county’s rugged coastline and artistic heritage, the patterns lining its raincoats are created by print designer Sophie Chadwick, wife of one of the brothers. Talking of which, its RAIN styles are fully waterproof and some are made from organic cotton and recycled polyester.