Raincoats?

Any suggestions on where to get raincoats?  I want completely waterproof, not just water resistant or "showerproof", preferably down to my knees, and not bulky - I need something to keep the rain off, not keep me warm during a blizzard.  I'm a plus-sized gal so most of the sporting/outdoor stores don't stock my size.

This one goes up to an XL and claims to keep you dry. http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Regent-Womens-Laminated-Polyester-Raincoat/4806527/product.html

Or did you want an old school PVC kind?

Check out Simply Be - there are some waterproof ones on there, but not down to your knees.

Marks & Spencer

Saw a few other water repellent coats on the M&S website.

Go Outdoors website - up to size 20

Occasionally, I find a size 20 in places like Millets, etc. (outdoors shops) but it's a bit of a crap shoot...and those won't be to your knees.  (Don't buy Peter Storm brand though for waterproof - it's crap.)

My proper waterproofs (jacket & trousers) for walking - I ordered over from Cabelas in the US.

Or failing any of those options, how about a rain poncho & you can wear something cute & warm underneath?

My only concern with and reluctance for pvc is that we don't have a coatrack at school and pvc tends to be bulkier for hanging over the back of the chair.

Looking in the US I found this LL Bean one:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63851?parentCategory=506593&feat=506593-tn&cat4=504728

But I'm really hoping for something in/from the UK so I can (easily) return it if it's awful.  It's looking like I'm going to have to try the men's coats    The companies that only go up to an 18 for women all seem to carry XXXL for men  

But I'm really hoping for something in/from the UK so I can (easily) return it if it's awful.  It's looking like I'm going to have to try the men's coats    The companies that only go up to an 18 for women all seem to carry XXXL for men  

Yeah, I've tried on the men's stuff before, but the fit is crap.  Huge through the shoulders, straight up & down through the hips/belly.  

It didn't work for me anyway.

ooh, simply be. I'll look there.  I tried M&S and evan but I didn't see anything waterproof. What's the difference between water resistant and water repellent? I took them both to mean "Great for walking from your car to a building and back but anything more than a few blocks and you'll be soggy."

I was looking at gooutdoors but the first coat I saw that I really liked, I checked against the manufacture's webpage and they said they only make up to a size 18  But I guess it falls into the "easily returnable" catagory

I saw a little plastic, folds into a pocket rain coat that fits, if snuggly so I can probably get that in a pinch (it's only £15) to keep me dry while the search continues. I just don't want to spend the money on a stopgap and then have to spend another £150-200 on the real deal.

What's the difference between water resistant and water repellent? I took them both to mean "Great for walking from your car to a building and back but anything more than a few blocks and you'll be soggy."

Yes, I wouldn't trust it unless it says waterproof - I think you're right.

I was looking at gooutdoors but the first coat I saw that I really liked, I checked against the manufacture's webpage and they said they only make up to a size 18   But I guess it falls into the "easily returnable" catagory  

Just bear in mind that whatever size you wear in the US, you're likely to wear a bigger size here in UK sizing.  It sucks, believe me I know!  

I saw a little plastic, folds into a pocket rain coat that fits, if snuggly so I can probably get that in a pinch (it's only £15) to keep me dry while the search continues. I just don't want to spend the money on a stopgap and then have to spend another £150-200 on the real deal.  

I have a little Mac-in-a-Sack type one that I bought cheaply somewhere.

I thought that LL Bean one is really cute though - if you're sure of your size (don't they have peeps online to assist you with the garment measurements & all)...I'd go for it!

I had a really lucky find at TK Maxx last week and got an awesome (and cute!) mackintosh-style raincoat there made by a Norwegian company (Søs Jensen).  Might be worth a look.

I had a really lucky find at TK Maxx last week and got an awesome mackintosh-style raincoat there made by a Norwegian company (Søs Jensen).  Might be worth a look.

Oh that looks nice!  

That's another option too, noirem...you could broaden your search to other places in the EU - easier on returns than to the US maybe?  Also check Ebay.

Also, I'll bet cheesebiscuit will be along with some recs!

Even if your camping/outdoor wear shop doesn't have the right size for you, don't despair. Pick out a brand you like and Google - it might be available elsewhere, or directly from the manufacturer, in larger sizes.

Looking in the US I found this LL Bean one:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63851?parentCategory=506593&feat=506593-tn&cat4=504728

I have the Bean's H2Off DX Rain Trench, Mesh-Lined which is pretty good. Kinda pricey now and I think they run small, especially if you want to put sweaters/jackets under it.
www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65927?parentCategory=506593&feat=506593-tn&cat4=504728

I had a really lucky find at TK Maxx last week and got an awesome (and cute!) mackintosh-style raincoat there made by a Norwegian company (Søs Jensen).  Might be worth a look.

Ooh! We have a tk max! I never think to go in there.

Even if your camping/outdoor wear shop doesn't have the right size for you, don't despair. Pick out a brand you like and Google - it might be available elsewhere, or directly from the manufacturer, in larger sizes.

Tried that They all seem to go up to a UK 18.

Just bear in mind that whatever size you wear in the US, you're likely to wear a bigger size here in UK sizing.  It sucks, believe me I know! 

I thought that LL Bean one is really cute though - if you're sure of your size (don't they have peeps online to assist you with the garment measurements & all)...I'd go for it!

I know about the size thing. And LL Bean is a mail-order company so they have really clear sizing - measure all these different parts of your body and here are the size charts. Also, my mum is about the same size as me so I could make her try it on before sending it to me.

Tried that They all seem to go up to a UK 18. 

That was my experience as well, when I researched it a couple of years ago for proper Goretex waterproofs (for hiking) - up to a UK size 18 & no further (from the manufacturers websites & everywhere else).  I was hoping it had changed.  At the time I was looking, there wasn't even that much plus size stuff available in the US, for what I wanted (Goretex), above US 18/20 - and I wanted something bigger & roomier for wearing over fleeces & other layers.  That's why I went with Cabelas - it's not especially attractive, but it keeps me dry on long countryside walks.

And LL Bean is a mail-order company so they have really clear sizing - measure all these different parts of your body and here are the size charts. Also, my mum is about the same size as me so I could make her try it on before sending it to me. 

Well I thought that coat was cute!  I know they have the clear size charts, but I've also had them measure stuff like the dimensions of the actual garment (can't remember if it was Lands End or LL Bean) just to be sure before I ordered it overseas.  I mean things like sleeve length, how much across the back, garment length, things like that.  But if your mom can try it on for you first - so much the better! 

I got a nice Columbia waterproof at Debenhams this summer, at 50% off.

Not sure they'll have exactly what you're looking for, just a suggestion to try the sporting sections of the major department stores.

Lands End is both a UK and US company.  They have a UK site and mail order and then you are not paying overseas shipping.  They carry women's sizes.  I have this coat and it does not let water in.
http://www.landsend.co.uk/pp/Sunshower-Raincoat~6448_57.html?bcc=y&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000022&origin=index

However, it does not have a hood so you still need an umbrella.