Fashion: Rain check

Balenciaga Fall 2016.

The worlds of technical sportswear and fashion collide for an inspiring take on this season’s best waterproof offerings.

Who would have thought the humble puffer jacket would be the talk of the town at the recent Fall 2016 fashion week collections? Seen at several shows such as Stella McCartney and Demna Gvasalia's debut collection for Balenciaga, it showcases extreme sportswear with a newfound elegance.

Sports luxe is an easy shortcut for designers to do casual glamour, and will no doubt be in overdrive this season on the back of several athleisure releases (Beyonce's Ivy Park included) along with pre-Olympics hype. This time around the references have broadened to more extreme activities and technical details more commonly seen in skiwear or sailing gear.

Closer to home, designers Harman Grubisa have included puffer jackets in their latest collection in navy and camel, the latter's lustrous waterproof fabric finished with apres-ski chintz courtesy of a Tibetan lambswool collar.

And though the puffer jacket has been re-worked for everyday wear, you can't look past technical sportswear specialists for the real McCoy. Whether or not you are hiking around Rangitoto Island or battling the elements on the sideline at the kids' Saturday sport, outerwear options from Icebreaker and Kathmandu are perfect examples of cost per wear. When thrown over a suit or a tailored work dress during the week, they offer up a fresh approach to keeping warm, with street cred.

And when the weather turns, the perfect brolly is a saving grace. Look to the Blunt range - this brand has cornered the market for the perfect umbrella that doesn't turn wayward in a storm. For a fashion twist, you can't look past the limited edition Blunt umbrella in Karen Walker's new season star print. It's the perfect blend of fashion and practicality that only technical sportswear can offer.

Water-proofing:

1. Icebreaker zip jacket $300.
2. Country Road jacket $279.
3. Topman raincoat $145.
4. Macpac vest $160.

Throwing shade:

5. Limited edition Karen Walker for Blunt umbrellas $135.
6. Citta Design umbrella $59.90.
7. Blunt XL umbrella $129.

Something extra:

8. Witz waterproof lanyard case, $29, from Good as Gold.
9. Miansai bracelet, $125, from Fabric.
10. Louis Vuitton bag charm $1500.
11. Mengi rainboot, $340, from Runway.
12. Rains tote bag $110.

Stockists:

• Blunt
• Citta Design (09) 631 0917
• Country Road 0800 105 655
• Fabric (09) 366 45 28
• Good As Gold (09) 376 4653
• Icebreaker (09) 361 3602
• Karen Walker
• Louis Vuitton 0800 586 966
• Macpac (09) 379 7589
• Rains
• Runway (09) 522 0808
• Topman 0508 TOPSHOP