I can't stop wearing this 'lightweight but warm' £39 M&S coat

When it comes to waterproof coats, I'm a bit of a novice.

Considering I've got a dog that absolutely loves going out for walks, you'd think I'd have an array of different waterproof coats to choose from. But, you'd be wrong, in fact, I only have one flimsy waterproof coat that I bought from Matalan years ago before I went to a festival, and it's far too thin to wear in this bitterly cold weather.

It's a weird one, because I'd quite happily invest money on clothes for a night out that I only end up wearing once, but when it comes to a waterproof coat that is basically a necessity, I begrudge paying too much. I've been looking for a suitable coat for a few months now, and after seeing shoppers rave about coats from Marks & Spencer, I thought I'd take the plunge and give one a try.

I really didn't want to spend too much money, and wanted a coat that did the job with no frills and no crazy colours or design. The Recycled Thermowarmth™ Hooded Puffer Jacket coat is available in shades navy, black, chocolate, beige and red.

I went for the black shade because you can't go wrong with a minimalistic black, and I wasn't disappointed. On the M&S website, the full product description reads:

"Wrap up in style in this puffer jacket, which features on-trend horizontal quilting. Cut to a regular fit, it has a snug funnel neck and a handy detachable hood. Plus, it's fleece-lined for added insulation and has side pockets with hidden popper studs to store everyday essentials. Thanks to the water-repellent Stormwear™ finish and our Thermowarmth™ technology, you'll stay dry in showers and extra toasty when it's chilly. A secure fastening is guaranteed with the concealed zip. M&S Collection: easy-to-wear wardrobe staples that combine classic and contemporary styles."

The first thing I noticed about this coat was how lightweight it was, but it still managed to keep me lovely and warm. I wore it on a dog walk where the rain was absolutely battering it down, and I was kept warm and dry.

It features a handy hood in the collar that can easily be zipped away when you don't need it, and feels super soft to wear. One thing I would say is don't let the lightweight feel of the jacket fool you, because the fleece-lined inside kept me nice and cosy.

For a waterproof coat, it looked pretty stylish and smart, and it wasn't too 'bulky'. I couldn't get over how soft it was, and the big collar kept my neck warm.

The coat was the perfect length and wasn't too short or cropped which I really liked. I was really impressed with the quality of the coat for the price and I haven't stopped wearing it since purchasing it.

Find out more about the Recycled Thermowarmth™ Hooded Puffer Jacket for £39.50 here.

Elsewhere, New Look is selling this Khaki Hooded Longline Puffer Coat priced at £80 that is being described as 'like wearing a duvet'.

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