Women's parka coats

Parka fabrics and waterproofing

How well a parka performs comes down to three things: the fabric, its finish and the way the seams are made. It also helps to know that water-repellent and waterproof mean two different things.

Lengths and fits

The parkas are cut oversized or relaxed, with dropped shoulders, raglan or roomy sleeves and enough space for a chunky knit underneath. Take your usual size for that easy, generous shape, or size down for a neater fit. Something slimmer on the legs balances out the volume. For more relaxed shapes, explore our oversized outerwear.

Lengths run from mid-length to mid-calf. A mid-length parka jacket for women sits comfortably over a blazer without restricting movement, while a long parka coat that reaches the calf keeps more of the rain off and works well over a dress or wide-leg trousers.

Khaki is the classic parka colour, and here it comes in olive and a softer thyme green. Navy, clay, brown and black round out the collection, so there is a women's parka for every wardrobe.

Parka, trench or padded coat

Three types of outerwear, three different ways of dealing with rain and cold. Here's how they compare on fabric, weather protection, volume and layering.

The parka

Made from water-repellent canvas and often lined with faux fur, it keeps off rain and wind, with a hood for when the weather turns. Its relaxed cut layers just as easily over a chunky jumper as over a blazer.

The trench coat

Traditionally cut from water-repellent cotton gabardine, the trench has no hood and copes with moderate rain. Lighter and more tailored, it is best worn over fine knits or a jacket. Browse our trench coats.

The padded coat

With its down or synthetic filling, it offers the most insulation but little protection from rain unless specially treated. Its bulk leaves little room for a thick knit and makes layering tricky.

Looking for something warmer? Explore our women's coats. For lighter layers such as overshirts, see our women's jackets, or browse the full edit of women's outerwear.

Caring for a parka

A parka rarely needs washing: a good brush and an airing are usually all it takes. When it does need a wash, always follow the care label, as instructions differ between styles. Some faux fur-lined parkas should be hand washed in cold water, while others can go in the machine at 30 °C on a gentle cycle. Either way, turn the parka inside out, fasten the zip and press studs, use a mild detergent and leave out the fabric softener, which reduces water repellency. Let it dry naturally, out of direct sunlight.

Once water stops beading and starts soaking in, the water-repellent finish has worn off. A reproofing spray applied to the clean, dry parka will restore its protection. For more tips, see our cotton care guide.