Grey skies, rain and chilly temperatures are the forecast for the foreseeable future, reminding us once again of the extent of Great Britain’s not so great weather. It’s little surprise that now is the time that many people review their winter wardrobe and decide to invest in a new coat to see them through the bleak months ahead – as well as way beyond.

Thomas Pink has long been renowned for a wide range of quality, durable shirts, but this year we’ve seen a rapid expansion in our outerwear collection. So, if you’re looking for a new coat – or are thinking of an investment gift for a loved one – here is a curated edit of our finest coats and jackets. Each has a fascinating history, innovated out of functional necessity, and all have been reimagined for the contemporary wardrobe, while preserving and enhancing their best practical traits.

The mac is named after the Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh, who pioneered his own method for waterproofing fabrics in the early 1820s. With a minimalist edge over the more embellished trench coat (a descendant with which it is often confused), the three-quarter length garment has long proven one of the most popular raincoat styles. Refreshed for today, the Thomas Pink unlined modern mac is hand crafted by skilled Italian artisans from a durable cotton blend, woven for a smooth water-resistant finish. With a silhouette cut to enhance the minimalism for which the mac is known, and an interior left unlined for an unstructured look, the coat has a relaxed elegance. Taped seams throughout for improved waterproofing and a deep collar for keeping out the rain shield the wearer from the worst of the weather.

Designed with sailors in mind, the pea coat was born long ago out of the need for a rugged, versatile garment. Although an ocean away from the raging storms of the high seas, Thomas Pink’s new pea coat nonetheless retains original features for protecting against the elements. To keep the wearer warm, it is made from a thick wool-cashmere blend and has a silhouette that allows for significant layering underneath, with extra structure in the shoulders and wide notch lapels. The coat comes in charcoal grey and navy colourways that complement both formal and casual outfits alike. It features two external vent pockets and a pair of internal buttoned ones, to be used as storage spaces or cosy nooks for your hands.

Designed in the 1960s to shelter US troops from Indochina’s capricious tropical climate, the M65 field jacket was another purpose-built garment. Worn by soldiers engaged in the most controversial episode of Cold War military adventurism, it soon became a symbol of the directly related peace and protest movements. Thomas Pink’s M65 jacket has a more elevated, utilitarian look, while hinting at just the right amount of rough and ready. Reimagined as a stylish staple for the city, it is fully lined and features gauntlet cuffs, pockets fastened with discreet snap closures, and a decorative zipped collar – a nod to those in which hoods were originally stowed.

Another storied garment, the chore jacket evolved from the blue overshirts worn by French railway workers in the early 19th century. Woven and crafted in Italy from 100 per cent durable cotton twill, Thomas Pink’s chore jacket embodies the way the piece has at once been elevated for stylish city living while preserving the spirit of its sartorial ancestor. Our navy version is a literal blue-collar garment and is just as dapper as its khaki counterpart. Both look great over a suit, conveying an understated sense of sophistication. Spacious external pockets recall those in which tools would have been carried by workmen decades ago.

One jacket that frequently graces our screens is the iconic bomber. Thanks to cult classics, such as Top Gun and Trainspotting, it evokes an aura of vintage cool. The earliest iterations were worn in World War I by US pilots, who flew in open-air cockpits, so it’s no wonder the jackets are great at keeping you warm. The Thomas Pink zipped bomber is a knitted version made from breathable yet insulating 100 per cent Australian Merino wool, making it as functionally versatile as it is aesthetically so. The Milano stitch construction creates not only a durable garment, but an attractive effect that appears both textured and soft. Its unique silhouette has been developed for a sleek drape, and it comes in four colourways – black, navy, camel and olive green – each of which can be seamlessly integrated into a wide range of outfits.