For a long time the women's rain slicker belonged on the deck of trawlers and on holidays in Brittany. Yet it left the harbour long ago: in the city, under October rain, it is often the most fitting piece in the wardrobe. A good slicker does more than keep the rain out. It must hold back water without turning the body into a greenhouse, keep a clean line when wet, and last long enough to earn its place by the front door. The offer ranges from the disposable slicker costing a few euros to the workshop piece, and the differences do not always show in a photo. This guide covers the criteria that matter: fabric, cut, hood, lining, use according to the weather, and how to wear a women's slicker with elegance rather than as emergency gear.
The slicker, from sea to city: a piece born of necessity
The French word, ciré, says everything about its origin. Before synthetic materials, sailors coated their canvas garments with linseed oil or wax to make them waterproof: this was known as “waxed” canvas. The slicker of Breton and Norman fishermen, often yellow to be visible at sea, is its direct heir.
In the 20th century, PVC and then polyurethane coatings replaced the oil. The principle remained the same: a continuous surface that water cannot pass through. This is what sets the slicker apart from most “water-repellent” jackets, which repel water for a while and then eventually let it through.
The move to the city came naturally. A piece designed to withstand sea spray easily withstands a Parisian downpour. What remained was to give it a cut worthy of a discerning women's wardrobe: that is where everything is decided today.
Slicker, raincoat, trench, parka: choosing the right piece
These four pieces protect from the rain, but not in the same way or in the same conditions.
The slicker is waterproof by nature. It is the answer to steady, persistent rain, to water-laden wind, to journeys on foot or by bike. Its limit: breathability, which depends greatly on the lining and the cut.
The trench coat in gabardine or water-repellent cotton holds up to a twenty-minute shower, breathes better and is easier to wear to the office. It remains the most versatile piece of the in-between season, as we explain in our guide to choosing a women's trench coat.
The parka adds warmth and length: it is the piece for cold, damp days, from November to February. We covered it in detail in our article on the women's waterproof parka.
In practice, the slicker does not replace the trench: it complements it. The trench for uncertain days, the slicker for days when it really rains.
What makes a good women's slicker
The coating. A quality vinyl or coating stays supple in the cold, does not turn sticky in the heat and does not crack at the folds after one season. Fold the fabric between your fingers: it should spring back without leaving a mark.
The lining. This is what makes the difference between a slicker you put up with and a slicker you actually wear. A cupro lining, a cellulose fibre derived from cotton, lets the sleeves glide over a sweater, absorbs some of the moisture and avoids the “plastic bag” feeling on the skin. A shiny polyester lining does the opposite.
The seams. On a waterproof piece, every seam is a potential entry point. They must be tight and even, and the sensitive areas (shoulders, hood) given particular care. These signs of good construction are the same as for a coat, and we listed them in our guide to the six signs of a quality coat.
The hood. It should cover the forehead without falling over the eyes, and follow the movement of the head. A poorly cut hood has to be held with one hand: that is a deal-breaker.
Ventilation. A slightly roomy cut, generous armholes and a closure that lets you open the collar limit condensation. A slicker that is too fitted is a slicker you sweat in.
Which cut to choose for your silhouette and your use
The short slicker, at hip length, is the most urban. It is worn over jeans, wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt, and leaves the freedom of movement needed for cycling. It is the easiest cut to integrate into an existing wardrobe.
The mid-length slicker, which covers the upper thighs, protects better on long walks in the rain. It goes naturally with dresses and skirts, protecting them without crushing them.
The long slicker remains a piece for sailors or hikers. In the city, it weighs down the silhouette and quickly proves cumbersome.
Whatever the length, look for a clean shoulder and a line that falls straight. A slicker without structure looks like a poncho; a well-cut slicker looks like a jacket that decided to be waterproof.
The workshop piece. The Rain Slicker Jacket C17 is cut and assembled in our workshop in France. Vinyl exterior, cupro lining for breathability and comfort, integrated hood, a short, clean cut designed for the city. Like all our pieces, it offers lifetime repair: we repair it for as long as you wear it.
How to wear a women's slicker with elegance
The slicker has a strong identity. The safest approach is to let it speak for itself and build a sober outfit around it.
With straight trousers and fine knitwear. A merino wool crew-neck or a turtleneck, pleated trousers, loafers or leather ankle boots. The contrast between the technical fabric and noble materials gives the outfit all its chic.
With a midi dress or skirt. The short slicker worn open over a fluid dress, with tall boots: rain no longer stops you from dressing well.
Layered. Under a slicker, a sleeveless jacket in wool or cashmere cloth extends the season until the first cold days. The slicker provides the waterproofing, the middle layer provides the warmth.
As for colours, deep shades (navy blue, black, bottle green) are the easiest to wear in the city. Yellow remains an assertive nod to the sea, harder to match day to day. To build the whole season, our guide to the women's transitional jacket details the pieces that complement each other between September and November.
Care: making a slicker last for years
A quality slicker needs little care, provided you avoid a few mistakes.
Let it dry in the open air, on a wide hanger, never folded or near a radiator: direct heat weakens the coating. Clean the outside with a damp sponge and mild soap, without harsh detergent. Avoid the washing machine and tumble dryer, unless the label says otherwise.
To store it out of season, hang it in a dry, airy place, without a plastic cover. Finally, have it repaired rather than replaced: a resewn seam or a new button extends the life of the piece by several years. That is the whole point of the lifetime repair offered by the Coulange workshop.
The slicker: a lasting piece or an impulse buy?
Most slickers sold each autumn are designed for one season. They crack at the elbows, come apart at the seams, and end up thrown away. Yet the real cost of a garment is measured by the number of times it is worn: a well-built slicker, worn thirty to forty rainy days a year for ten years, costs less than a succession of disposable pieces.
French manufacturing adds a criterion the label does not always state: the possibility of repair. A workshop that cuts and assembles its pieces can also mend them. That is the difference between a product and a garment you keep.
For colder days, the Heritage Parka in long-staple cotton takes over from the slicker, with the same standard of manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions about the women's slicker
What is the difference between a slicker and a raincoat?
A slicker is a raincoat with a continuous coating (formerly oil or wax, today vinyl or polyurethane): it is waterproof by nature. Many raincoats are in fact water-repellent, that is, treated to repel water for a while, but not fully waterproof in prolonged rain.
Do you sweat in a slicker?
Less so with a good lining and the right cut. A cupro lining, generous armholes and a collar that can be opened greatly limit condensation, unlike unlined slickers or those lined with polyester.
Can you wear a slicker in winter?
Yes, layered: a wool sleeveless jacket or a thick sweater under the slicker lets you wear it in cold weather. Below 5 °C, a lined parka remains more comfortable.
How do you wash a women's slicker?
A damp sponge and mild soap on the outside, air-dried on a hanger, away from any heat source. Avoid the washing machine and tumble dryer, which weaken the coating and the seams.
Which slicker length should you choose for the city?
A short slicker, at hip length, is the most versatile in the city: it works over trousers as well as a skirt and leaves you free to move. A mid-length one suits women who walk a lot in the rain.