I hate raincoat shopping.
Not because rain is bad. I live in Seattle. Rain is fine. But every time I need something waterproof, I end up in a dressing room looking like a camping tent with legs.
No waist. No shape. Just fabric hanging off my chest and hips like someone threw a tarp over me.
I tried on seventeen raincoats last year. Seventeen. Kept two. Returned the rest.
Here are the five that actually worked for my body — size 18/20, larger chest, hips that exist, and a waist I'd like people to know is there.
1. Columbia Pardon My Trench (Plus Size)
This one surprised me. Columbia usually makes boxy outdoorsy stuff. But the Pardon My Trench has a drawstring inside — not outside where it looks cheap, but hidden in the lining.
You cinch it at your natural waist, and the fabric falls over your hips without pulling.
The arms are roomy too. I fit a thick sweater underneath and could still move.
Downside: The sleeves run long. I rolled mine. Not cute but functional.
2. Universal Standard Suki Raincoat
Expensive. I'll say that first. Around $150.
But it has princess seams — those curved lines that follow your body instead of fighting it. The result is a raincoat that looks tailored even though it's not.
The size range goes to 40. I tried the 20 and had room to layer.
The hood is huge. Like, comically huge. But it covers my hair in a downpour so I stopped caring.
3. City Chic Sienna Hooded Trench
This one is for curves first, weather second. The fabric is lighter — good for spring rain, not great for a storm.
But the waist design is smart. A tie belt that sits higher than most brands put it. On me, that hits right under my chest, which is actually where my waist is.
The sleeves have a little puff at the shoulder. I was unsure at first. But it balances out wide hips.
Bought it on sale for $65. Worth it.
4. Lane Bryant Water-Resistant Belted Coat
Lane Bryant gets raincoats right about half the time. This is the good half.
The belt loops are placed wide — not right at the sides, but further back. That means when you tie it, the fabric wraps around your actual waist instead of bunching up under your arms.
I tested this in actual rain. Twenty minutes walking my cat in a drizzle. Stayed dry.
Downside: Only two colors. Black and olive. Fine. Boring but fine.
5. Torrid Faux Leather Rain Jacket
Okay, this one is not fully waterproof. More like water-resistant. But I'm including it because of the seam work.
Torrid added darts at the bust and hips. That's rare in a raincoat. Most brands assume curves don't need shaping. These darts make the whole thing lie flat instead of gaping.
I wore this to a farmer's market in the rain. Got wet after an hour. But looked good doing it.
What didn't work:
Old Navy's raincoat made me look pregnant. Not in a cute way. Just shapeless.
L.L.Bean's plus size coat had great reviews but the arms were too tight. Couldn't lift my arms above my head. Returned it.
Amazon basics — don't bother. The waist tie is fake. Just sewn on for looks.
My honest advice:
Don't trust the product photos. They clip coats from the back to fake a waist.
Try things on at home. Walk around. Raise your arms. Sit down.
And if a raincoat makes you feel like a garbage bag? Return it. Life's too short for bad outerwear.
I kept the Columbia and the Lane Bryant. Those two have lasted me through two Seattle winters.
Still looking for the perfect one. Might not exist. But these five are close enough.