Leave it to the Scots to design the most sublime raincoat this side of the Atlantic. The Scottish design-led, luxury brand Hancock has been quietly redefining the outerwear genre.
The brand draws inspiration from Thomas Hancock, the English inventor who revolutionized the British rubber industry through a desire to shield Victorian coach passengers from rain, mud, soot, and other elements. His experiments with rubberization of fabrics led to elastication for their use in clothing and he quickly began working with Charles Macintosh, he of the eponymous raincoat fame. Building on this heritage history, Hancock entered the 21st century with a collection of rubber bonded (vulcanized), natural material, hand cut and sewn coats. Each Hancock coat is produced on the original Victorian mill by bonding a layer of rubber in between two layers of cloth such as cotton, wool, or silk.
In the case of the brand’s GTS Article 41 Raincoat, that natural fabric is cotton, bonded with a super flexible yet durable vulcanized rubber to create an impenetrable barrier that is 100 percent waterproof. This elegant single-breasted raincoat features fasteners concealed by a front panel, with just a single exposed button at the top. Front welt pockets are the perfect haven for cold, wet hands, or to keep your wallet and phone safe and dry, while the back is hand finished with a button through rear vent.
Available in fawn or navy, whether you’re sloshing through a rainy London day or simply running down to the corner store, the Hancock GTS Article 41 Raincoat will get you there in style.