I hate the idea of leaving the house with no hood in case it rains but I can't be bothered with the hassle of an umbrella. I fancy a nice blazer though for the Autumn so I may need to forgo my need for a hood. Why does no-one seem to care about having a hood these days? I'm clearly too school for cool

but yes, are you happy enough to forgo a hood even on overcast days?

Even when I have a hood on my winter coats they tend to be on parka type coats (unless I specially take my rain mac) and I hate it when they get soggy so I just keep an umbrella at the bottom of my bag constantly then I can always whip it out if needed. I don't think it's that much hassle and you're always grateful for it when it starts to rain.

Depending on the 'heaviness' of the hood but I find if it's really windy it can end up being a bit useless. Likewise for an umbrella I suppose. When I used to walk to work and it was sideways rain and wind, I used to use both and still end up wet and bedraggled.

I think in most cases a hood is easier but an umbrella can be more useful if you don't want wet shoulders and it can also shield you from rain coming in your face (which a hood can't).

However I'd really like to find a completely wind-proof umbrella - they always feel like they're going to snap!

Personally I'd get a very lightweight small umbrella and always keep it in my handbag if possible.

They used to sell wind-proof umbrellas on QVC a few years back. Not sure if they still do. They always looked very impressive.

Always a hood for me! I hate umbrellas with a passion. They do not work for me. They get in the way, they take up a hand that you could be more usefully using for carrying things or keeping warm in a pocket, they hang around being wet and drippy after you get wherever you're going, they stop you seeing what's going on round you, they get in people's way, you leave them behind under your desk at work for a week til they go mouldy... they're a pain in the backside imo. I like a nice cagoule with a proper hood.

I have a bubble umbrella and it is fantastic. I use it for dog walking, shopping, walking from the car to work and basically any other activity that requires a brolly! It is a clear one so I can see through it and still keep my shoulders dry. This is mine http://www.office.co.uk/view/product...100/1238276073

See, this is it. Where are you meant to put the wet umbrella when you go into a shop etc.?

My satchel type bag isn't big enough even for a small umbrella

I have 2 of those, a pink one and a black one.
They really are windproof, and worth every penny.
If it's very bad weather, I have my hood on as well

This - I'm the hoodie queen.

I'm with Elanor. Their only saving grace is they don't ruin your hair. I'm in rural Scotland and it's windy most of the year. No good when you're in the woods with the dog either.

Not that I'm a fan of hoods either, most of them stop short and the front of your hair gets wet, you can't hear properly and they obscure your vision when you turn your head.

I always have a wooly hat in my bag, I just pop it on if it's raining, doesn't spoil my hair too much cos I always have a brush too! Can't stand hoods and brollys can be more hassle than they are worth if windy too.

Umbrella every time.

The best way to check if an umbrella is the most suitable one for you is to measure the open diameter. It should equal +/- 10% your height to the shoulder.

That's my experience. I took ages finding a coat with a hood and when I did, I experienced all of the above plus flattened, limp hair. Umbrellas have their disadvantages which have been outlined, but on balance I go for the brolly. Also, as has been stated, they protect your face from the rain which hoods don't

I find using an uberella makes me self-concious.

I'd never use one in my home town, but would if I were in the middle of London.....

I always go for a hood when it's raining. I love my umbrella (mainly because it has colour-changing lights in it) but I very rarely use it. And I love hoods in general, I love my hoodies anyway and I prefer my coats to have hoods.

Hoods muck your hair up.

I've had loads of brollies; the best longest lasting ones have always been the M&S Gear Stick brollies which they have been selling for years: auto close and open / strong / stylish, and currently just under 20 quid. I don't think you can do better, especially at that price.