Columbia’s butter yellow waterproof jacket is ideal for the unpredictable spring weather – it’s water repellant and folds up so small you can easily fit it in a bag or coat pocket
Whilst we all love the sunny days that spring can bring, it’s also notoriously unpredictable. What starts out as a gloriously sunny morning can quickly turn into a cold, drizzly afternoon, which is why you need to be ready for anything.
That does, however, make planning your outfit tricky, as you never know whether to bring a waterproof or your suncream with you. That’s why I’ve started carrying the Women’s Paracutie™ Cropped Cargo Windbreaker from Columbia everywhere with me.
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It folds up small enough to fit into my handbag, backpack or even a large trouser pocket, and it’s so lightweight that you don’t even notice you’re carrying it around. Apart from being handy, the Paracutie™ Cropped Cargo Windbreaker, £65, is also perfect for when you get caught out in the spring showers.
It has a water repellent (and stain repellent) finish which helps keep you clean and dry in the drizzle, and a back venting system that stops you getting too warm or sweaty on those days where it’s hot and humid whilst also raining – one of the hardest weathers to dress for.
The Paracutie™ Windbreaker has adjustable cuffs that can be fastened snugly around your wrists, and the seams help stop the damp from seeping through. The front pockets are also super handy, with enough space to keep a phone, wallet, headphones, lip balm, keys and anything else you might need to keep dry or to hand.
I should note; this won’t keep you dry in a torrential downpour. It’s best saved for days when a quick shower or a prolonged drizzle are on the weather agenda, rather than days when you think you might have to swim to work.
If you want something a little more water resistant, this iets frans Ollie Water-Resistant Shell Jacket is currently on sale down from £69 to £49 and has a water resistant finish, peaked hood and is fleece lined, making it well suited to colder weather. Meanwhile Marks & Spencer ’s Rubber Stormwear™ Padded Short Rain Jacket has a rubber finish and showerproof coating, and is also on sale down to £46.75 from £55.
However, neither of these are easy to carry around just in case, which is the thing I love most about Columbia’s Paracutie™ Windbreaker. The one improvement I would make would be giving it a hood to help keep your head and hair protected too.
The oversized fit is what really sold me on the Paracutie™ Cropped Cargo Windbreaker. I took my usual size and it has a relaxed, casual fit that can easily be layered over a thick jumper.
The on-trend butter yellow shade was also a major plus, but it does also come in pale pink, black and light khaki. You can also pick it up in sizes XS to XL, although it has such a generous fit you could probably take a size down and still have room for layering underneath.
Shop the Paracutie™ Cropped Cargo Windbreaker for £65 at Columbia now.
