Storm troopers

Elegant on Audrey Hepburn, dishevelled on Columbo, the mac has an iconic quality while simultaneously managing to reflect the era in which it is worn.

We think of the mac as a classic, which it is, but actually, its long-lasting appeals lies in the ways in which it is constantly reinterpreted for a new generation, a new decade, even a new season.

If you want to get technical, Charles Macintosh patented his invention for a waterproof cloth in 1823, making it into coats in his family's textile factory, Charles Macintosh & Co of Glasgow.

These days, we use the word mac fairly liberally, to describe any light coat, whether it's waterproof or not (and often it isn't), but it's a useful shorthand for what is actually an extremely useful item of clothing.

It's a good idea to look out for rain-repelling surfaces, because even a lightly waxed mac or trench style will help keep the rain off your daywear while you run from the car park to sanctuary.

In terms of style for this autumn/winter, a classic trench is always a good bet (and usually ultra-flattering) and look out too for wrap-style macs with shawl collars. Choose from classic camel, navy, khaki, black and cream or plug more directly into the heritage trend with a check version, perhaps even in unusual colourways, such as taupe and orange.

There are also some pretty funky bright pink and purple shiny dotty PVC versions about, should you want

to look like a large toddler. Red is always cheery,

though. There are quite a few leather macs around this season too, but these are not ideal for adverse weather conditions.

If you wear a knee-length mac, take the opportunity to show off your legs in a pair of opaque tights (coloured, if you like) and make sure you wear high heels – a mac and stilettos will always look sexy, and ankle boots look good too, but better with macs that reach either above the knee or below it.