The indispensible trench

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The indispensible trench

— by Angie

on February 26, 2008

I talk about the trench coat at the beginning of every season because it is a crucial part of any wardrobe. It is an ideal lightweight coat for a four-seasons-climate, and the only coat you’ll need for warmer regions. A fab trench pulls together most outfits and can be dressed up or down: styled up a notch with dark denims or slacks and dressy shoes; or casual with jeans and fashion sneakers. The trench cuts across all lifestyles, age groups and body types and it’s a question of finding the style that works best for you.

Some things to remember as you search for that perfect trench…

Trench coats don’t need to have a strict, dressy and classic appearance like the traditional Burberry style. They can be playful and casual. The voluminous trend has given rise to the unbelted A-line and cocoon shaped trench which can be equally chic.
Spring trenches are often lighter in weight, brighter in colour and shorter in the sleeve than the styles we see in Autumn. You can get away with having one trench for year round use if you choose your style wisely.
Make sure that you purchase a trench that works for your lifestyle. Keep the fabric and look casual if your life is casual. Select a dressier style if you dress smart casually or business casually daily. It is easier to dress a smarter trench style down than it is to dress a casual trench style up.

I have a black, fully lined, machine washable, stretch sateen single-breasted trench coat that ends just above my knee. I’ve had it for years and it’s the most versatile item in my wardrobe. I wear it casually with jeans and Converse, or smart casually over a dressy top, dark denims and heels. It’s perfect with my slacks on business casual days and takes me straight to a cocktail party at night over a short formal dress. It cost a pretty penny at the time, but the investment has proved its return a hundred times over. I cannot imagine my wardrobe functioning without the perfect trench.

An assortment of casual (top left), smart casual and dressy trenches (bottom right). My Spring trench needs replacing and I have my eye on the white Soia and Kyo style (center bottom row).

Instant Style Tips · Spring 2008

24 comments · Add a comment

Stephanie

The problem I have with most trenchcoats is that they make me look like a stuffed sausage when belted. I have rarely found one that works with my figure, which is disappointing, since every fashion magazine insists it is the most important thing in everyone’s wardrobe. The red one you show seems like the only one that would work for me.

February 26, 2008 at 8:15 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Trenches do not need to be belted or double breasted and I think that’s an important point. I was not able to find pictures of the new A-line and 80’s inspired cocoon shaped silhouettes just yet, but I’ll post them when I find them on-line. These might work better for your body type, but the coral coloured style that you pointed out is super and very versatile.

I popped a well proportioned busty client (American size 14/16) into a funky casual crinkle poly blend grey cocoon shaped trench a few weeks ago and it looks incredible. It’s by Mac & Jack at Macys and did not break the bank.

February 26, 2008 at 8:28 am

merry

Is the one on the bottom left from Eddie Bauer? If not, where it is. I totally love that one and the yellow Gap trench.

February 26, 2008 at 9:26 am

Maya

I have a trench almost identical to the one you described, except it’s shorter and double breasted (but the buttons are close enough that it doesn’t make me look wide). I can’t wait to wear it again. It looks so good I hate taking it off and I love to match it with a colorful scarf. I agree, it’s probably the most versatile thing I own.

February 26, 2008 at 9:45 am

Fabulously Broke

(website)

I LOVE that green trench, it’s perfect!
I only wish it came in ivory/white

February 26, 2008 at 9:51 am

Catherine

I am busty and don’t think double-breasted is the most flattering on my body shape. Very disappointing to find so many double-breasted styles in stores. Do you have any store recommendations? Where is the red one from?

February 26, 2008 at 10:03 am

Anu

Do you have a link to that Mac and Jack trench coat at Macy’s? I seem to have almost identical proportions to your client (busty, size 14/16) and I’d love a trench coat!

February 26, 2008 at 11:54 am

Wendy

Angie—I’m really petite at 5’2 and what you would call a “racy rectangle”, and I’ve usually stayed away from trenches because most that i have tried on just dwarf me. I almost always wear sneakers and flats because heels are just not practical in my everyday life since i walk around campus all day.
Should I even bother trying to find a trench? And if so, what length/style do you recommend for someone of my body type?
Thanks

February 26, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Absolutely Wendy. I’ve dressed 4ft 10 inch women in superb trenches. Look for one that’s above the knee, preferably mid thigh length. Other than length, how else do trenches dwarf you? If the fit is right, I don’t see a challenge.

February 26, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Sarah

I have a beautiful black trench for winter. It’s single breasted with hidden buttons, a belt, and button-in lining that makes it practical as a winter coat as well as for transitional weather. I do need one for spring though. Actually, I should probably look at replacing the winter trench as much as I love it, because it’s almost ankle length. But most trenches I’ve seen are either crotch length or ankle length. Where can I find something in-between, like knee length? Will a trench like the silver one above last for more than one season? Or sill silver be dated too soon?

February 27, 2008 at 6:22 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I tried to post the picture of the grey crinkle trench for this blog entry, but I can’t find it on line. Get yourself to a large Macys and ask where the Mac & Jac range is. Sorry that I can’t help you further Anu.

You’ll get to the retailer of the item if you click on the links of the pictures. The coral trench is from Ann Taylor and it’s a great silhouette for busty girls. If you can find a beltless single breasted style with princess seams, then that’s even better.

Really Sarah? I haven’t seen any ankle length trenches actually! The styles that I’ve seen are either to the knee, mid thigh or shorter. There weren’t any ankle length trenches in Spain either. Trenches are everywhere at the moment and they will start to go on sale at the end of March and the beginning of April. I feel that you need to be tall to pull off an ankle length trench or coat. Just above the knee is a very versatile choice if you are regular height or shorter. This way you won’t drown in all that excess fabric.

Metallic is going to be around for a while. We are going into our fifth season of it. I do not see it as a risk. It’s becoming a mainstream basic.

February 27, 2008 at 7:11 am

Lynn

(website)

Oooh, I love that persimmon trench from Ann Taylor (bottom left). I have a hip-length, double breasted and belted trench from Gap in ivory which I adore and wear often (thank goodness it’s washable!), but I sometimes don’t want to deal with the fussiness of the belt. Also, here in Texas, sometimes you don’t need all that double breasted insulation — single is just enough. So I may have to keep an eye on AT’s sales racks… thanks for the tip!

February 27, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Wendy

Trenches with certain collars and stiff shoulders that don’t fit well with my small bust and narrow shoulders.
But thanks for the advice, I’ll keep on searching!

February 27, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Catherine

Hi Angie, thanks for the Ann Taylor info and when the sales for trenches are. I’ll be sure to check them out in March/April. I love your blog so much, I go through the archives like crazy when I have a simple fashion question that I can’t get anywhere else online!

February 27, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Sarah

Thanks for the advice Angie. My ankle length trench is about 4 years old, so that could explain the length. Also, I think I got it at Burlington Coat Factory and not a department store. I’m 5’2”, so I’m certainly not tall. I’m afraid I am drowning in fabric with it, not to mention the fact that I trip on in going up stairs. I may try to hem both the coat and the lining, but we’ll see. I’m definitely getting the silver trench you pictured above for spring. It’s adorable, juniors size (like me) and in my price range. Glad to hear metallic should be around for a while. I love them!

February 28, 2008 at 6:29 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lovely Sarah! I look forward to hearing about how much you love your new silver trench.

February 28, 2008 at 8:05 am

Cindy

(website)

I absolutely love trenches. They make looking pulled together so easy. You can look great even if you have sweats on as long throw on a trench.

I’m also loving these bright colors for them. They’re so much fun!! I already have a black one, but now that I’ve read your post I want a red one! The green one from Ann Taylor Loft would look great in red, but alas they only have green and black.

Thanks for the post!

March 1, 2008 at 4:41 pm

Lisa

I’m trying to figure out which color to get for mine. I know it would be the practical thing to do to get a black one. But, I have dark hair with eggplant undertones (well, the undertones change with the seasons LOL). Would a color work better to contrast my dark hair? I am thinking of the belted type that hits mid-thigh like the ones above. Also, I wondered if a sateen finish will go out of style quickly? Hmm, so much to ponder. Time to try on a ton of them! I’m off to Macy’s this week!

March 4, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The sateen finish won’t date. It’s been around for 12 years and it’s SO mainstream. Try a colour for Spring and happy shopping!

March 5, 2008 at 7:57 pm

Judy

Hi Wendy and all…I’m petite too and didn’t think I could wear a trench. I actually got this same brand…Soia & Kyo…and it is mid thigh length, as Angie suggested, and fits very close to the body with no gathers, though it is belted. Since I am a slim rectangle, the double breasted buttons and shoulder detailing helps give me some bulk. What with the wetness we experience here in Seattle it’s been indispensable, as well as making me look quite a bit more put together, even when all I have is jeans and a t shirt and sweater underneath!

March 6, 2008 at 10:26 am

Stephanie

Thank you for the link to that cute persimmon coat, Angie. I do think it’s very cute and worth a try.

Also, I just want to say that you have a great site and I enjoy visiting.

March 8, 2008 at 3:05 pm

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December 31, 2008 at 8:24 am

Sarah J.

(website)

You say, “It is easier to dress a smarter trench style down than it is to dress a casual trench style up.”, but what if you add a belt to the casual coat especially if it has clean lines (like the bottom left in bottom row, of Ann Taylor)?

April 19, 2009 at 11:55 am

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