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If this week’s forecast is anything to go by, the cold, wet season has arrived early, and it’s brought an umbrella-defying wind with it. So, cue the sideways-rain that finds its way down your collar on the walk to the station and calls for a coat that can actually cope–ideally, a layer that reads more city chic than ready to scale a mountain . And this season, Zara has made that search so easy.

The new Water-Repellent Padded Hoodie Anorak is a grown-up take on the puffer. Understated chevron-inspired quilting gives it shape rather than bulk. The cropped cut sits at the waist, so it falls neatly over high-waisted trousers and keeps your legs looking long. That’s a far cry from the sleeping-bag silhouettes of puffers past.

Then there’s the color. Chocolate brown is the shade of the season, and this one is rich, deep and softer than black. According to Zara, it’s best styled with neutral accessories, oversized sunglasses and straight-leg denim.…