Stay sharp in the spring showers with our guide to wet-weather dressing.

Ah, spring. The sweet scent of apple blossom, the chance to finally top up your dangerously low vitamin D levels and banish the heavy woollens to the back of your wardrobe. Then comes the rain – lots of it. In such conditions, to avoid arriving at your morning boardroom meeting or Sunday lunch looking like you’ve been dredged up from the nearest body of water, some decent form of defence against the elements is a must. So, scroll down to find everything you need to survive the deluge this spring.

Scientists aren’t usually known for taking much interest in sartorial matters, but an exception to this rule is Mr Charles Macintosh, who gave his name to an iconic garment long before the world domination of a certain Silicon Valley behemoth. Mr Macintosh, a Glaswegian chemist, wasn’t prepared to just get wet when it rained, so in 1823, he patented a rubber-coated cloth, which he used to manufacture the world’s first waterproof raincoat. The fact that Glasgow is the second wettest city in Britain probably had something to do with it. With its raglan sleeves and generous cut, a Mackintosh – such as the above blue one, will sit comfortably over tailoring, so it ought to be the first item on your weekday checklist.

You’ll also want an umbrella to ensure your perfectly coiffed mane is saved from the indignity of a soaking. If you feel a full-length brolly might be a bit cumbersome, a smart telescopic contraption is the way to go. The neat size of this automatic Paul Smith umbrella makes it easy to stow in your briefcase, which means it’s far less likely to end up in the dark recesses of your transport authority’s lost-property department.

If you’re an active sort of chap – and specifically the type that likes to sprint about town in your downtime – you’ll want to don a cover-up that’s lightweight and easy to move in, yet still provides some coverage. A waxed jacket such as this one from Belstaff will certainly pass muster and with its water-repellent coating, you won’t get soaked to the bone should the weather take a turn for the worst.

It’s probably fair to say that spring weather – particularly in the British Isles – suffers from acute schizophrenia at the best of times. One minute, it’s bucketing down and blowing a bone-chilling Siberian gale, the next it’s all blue skies and sunshine. With such erratic microclimates to contend with, a lightweight scarf that can be easily donned or removed is a worthy investment. We think a luxuriously soft, silk-blend Gucci number ticks all the right boxes.

If you’re aiming for smart with a touch of swagger, the trench coat ought to be your go-to. For a first-rate lesson in how to wear a trench, look no further than Mr Humphrey Bogart’s on-screen protagonist, Mr Rick Blaine, in cult 1940s flick, Casablanca. A khaki or stone design is a true classic that will always have a place in your wardrobe. Oh, and Mr Bogart’s trench was a Burberry, in case you were wondering.

Maintaining your sartorial standards in inclement weather can be a serious challenge, but just because the pavements are riddled with a minefield of puddles, doesn’t mean you need to resort to wellies to get about. A pair of smart rubber-soled shoes is the answer for more formal evening engagements, and Harrys of London footwear sports a unique Windsurf sole – specially designed to tackle those slippery streets.

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