I will be needing a raincoat preferably dressy for my travels. I usually don't travel to cooler climates in the winter so I have always used a rollup into a pocket raincoat. Need to know from experienced travelers which is the best brand they wouldn't do without in a trenchcoat style. Thinking of spending up to $ 500.Figure i will have it forever and can where it back home too.

Where are you going? If you're heading to one of the better shopping cities in Europe (Milan, Paris, etc.), why don't you get one when you arrive?

Always been happy with my Burberry. Bought it with a button-in wool lining.

Hmmmm,

A Burnerry is going to be more than $500 in the US.

If you are going to the UK, I suggest you buy one there.

Make sure that it has a zip out liner.

There are Burberry outlets in the US where you can get discounted merchandise - but a lined Burberry will still likely be over $500.

Even a much cheaper brand like London Fog will be fine. Be sure to get a removeable liner. And one where the lining goes down the sleeves (Many liners are sleeveless and are much less warm)

By getting a zip in/button in liner you can really the coat 12 months a year. I have several rain coats - three w/ liners - and the good ones are as warm as a winter coat.

Getting one there is a thought. I will be in London and Paris so there will be lots to shop from. Thanks for the liner info. If I have to spend more that's okay it's an investment! As always glad I asked here for info.

josi: Shopping in London and Paris is wonderful -- but do not expect to find any bargains.

A Burberry coat costs less in the States than it does in the UK. Same for a lot of other brands. Now, if you do buy a posh raincoat in Europe you will get part of your VAT back, but the cost will still probably be higher than buying back home.

The popularity of Burberry in Italy has always surprised me, because in the UK, I associate it predominantly with football hooligans (Admittedly these tend to wear burberry caps and scarves rather than raincoats).

>A Burberry coat costs less in the States than it does in the UK. Same for a lot of other brands. <

My, how things have changed. About 20 years ago, we bought my Lady Wife an Acquascutum at Harrods for about 1/3 the US price. She still wears it.

What cooler places are you talking about? (If the weather is actually cold a raincoat just isn;t going to do it.)

And why a dressy raincoat - are you doing opera/theater and a lot of evening stuff that you need a special coat for? Why not just a basic trenchcoat - any one from a decent maker - and yes Burberry is fine - will last forever?

Check out a Salvation Army Thift Store and get you a good one somebody paid full price for at Sears.

My Burberry will last forever, because I hardly ever wear it. Goretex lined coats are better for keeping out the rain, and there are dressier and warmer things than trench coats. I suppose they are okay as all-purpose garments, but they don't do anything very well.