Save it for a Rainy Day

It has been raining a lot lately. Here is some of the raincoat I like.

Before You Buy a Raincoat

• Decide whether you're looking to go dressy or casual. There are some fashion elements that are functional as well. Double-breasted styling, full linings, front or back yokes (flaps of extra fabric that hang from the shoulders and help shed rain), and button-covering flaps all help keep the rain out. For heavy downpours, look for features such as covered zippers, cinch-able hoods, sleeve belts (which tighten the coat's wrists for a custom fit), and finished seams. Many of these are more typical in casual styles.

• To make sure a raincoat's fabric is water repellent, carry a small bottle of water and pour a little bit onto a corner. If the water beads up and sheds away, the coat can withstand rain showers. (On average, a raincoat should take about five minutes or less to dry.)

• Think about length when trying on coats: Short options are cute and may be fine for errands when you're getting in and out of the car a lot, but extra length provides additional protection against rain and wind.

• Check the care label — you may be surprised to learn that even the higher-fashion styles are machine-washable. (GoodHouseKeeping.com)