Protection Against The Elements

Outerwear is having a moment. And no, we’re not talking about your timeless pea coat or classic cotton mac. We’re talking about durable, rain-, snow- and storm-proof coats that are as tough as armour.

This isn’t just about practicality either (though it’s certainly a contributing factor) – high quality, outdoor-focussed brands have experienced a renaissance over the past year or so, with the rise of sports luxe making technical fabrics and advanced construction techniques highly desirable.

Yes, useful clothing is being celebrated again. And so it should be. If you’re going to spend a few hundred quid on a jacket, it better perform and be built to last.

To help you surf this rising tide of practical, outdoors attire, we’re set to showcase the five leading labels in the sector:

1. Hunter Original

Stella McCartney’s husband Alasdhair Willis has brought Hunter Original a long way since taking over the reins of the brand last year.

He’s kept the label true to its British outdoors/Wellington boots roots, but brought it into the 21st century via the use of bright colours and modern fabrics.

For SS15, Willis has used memory nylon, sateen and vinyl for the construction of the collection. The use of these materials is aesthetic, but also functional – for example, memory nylon retains its shape when it comes into contact with water, a bit like Teflon.

Ideal for the unpredictable British springtime.

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Short Rubberised Raincoat (£225) and Original Clear Poncho (£140), available at hunterboots.com.

2. Stone Island

You are no doubt familiar with Italian label Stone Island. After all, the brand is one of the market leaders when it comes to technical and utilitarian clothing.

It’s this dedication to innovation and advancement that has seen Stone Island develop an almost cult-like following. Fusing progressive silhouettes with experimental materials – such as its trompe l’oeil opaque reflective fabric with a coating made from thousands of glass microspheres – the brand has been spotted on the likes of Drake and Russell Tovey, as well as some of the industry’s most fashion-forward individuals.