Q: The weather is slowly getting warmer, and I want to get a new rain jacket for spring. I really liked the see-through Miu Miu raincoats that came out recently but I can't afford them. Is there anything less expensive but similar on the high street? - Aideen, Dublin 7
A: At €1,000, the Miu Miu jackets that you are talking about are only a good investment if you plan to spend the next three years outside, praying for rain. For that money, the jacket should have the power to control the weather, not just protect you from it.
You’ll find that clear raincoats are ridiculously hard to style. No popping them on over a schlubby shirt to go to the local shop; that transparent material won’t hide what lies beneath. Even if the accompanying outfit is immaculate, one runs the risk of looking like the loser in a fight with a roll of clingfilm: a perfectly preserved woman in plastic.
The one fail-safe method to make something a little more fabulous is to sprinkle a little glitter on it, so this gold Topshop jacket is a good, more affordable alternative. Asos is home to a slew of Miu Miu lookalikes; not just the sheer macs but also shiny, candy-coloured jackets that might be a more wearable option.
UK brand The Ragged Priest has a line of shiny but not sheer jackets. They are available online from Topshop, Asos and the Theraggedpriest.com in a variety of colours. Vinyl and plastic repel water but absorb heat, so beware of warm weather.
Email your style woes to wardrobing@irishtimes.com
Scarab Anorak, £60 from Topshop and the Ragged Priest. Gold glitter raincoat, €59 from Topshop
