https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 20 May 2026 08:38:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2412012 Sat, 02 May 2026 03:07:46 +0000 Lisa 2412012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>An excellent rationale for a short trench! It's lovely on you and nice to hear that this style can be just as useful and versatile as a long trench option.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411957 Fri, 01 May 2026 15:07:20 +0000 Dee 2411957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These cropped beige trenches are definitely trending where I live. I was at our local mall here in Quebec yesterday and I must have seen at least 6- 8 people wearing them. They were mostly styled with wide-leg jeans and sneakers. Its certainly the jacket of the spring season around here. I think its a fairly practical spring/ fall option for these parts too. I did try on your Helly Hanson one SUZ but sadly, it didn't fit me as well as it does you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411922 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:08:55 +0000 Ket 2411922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you! Something doesn't have to be THE CLASSIC VERSION to be a correct, working well version.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>We rarely have rain where I live. I mean, it rains but it's inconsistent. I do not live where it rains and one needs rain boots/wellies, rain coats and umbrellas. Nope. You wear a lightweight technical fabric jacket and it does the heavy lifting for rain, snow, wind--sometimes all in one day. So for me, a short trench would be just fine. That said, my trench coat is an glam knee-length leopard affair. So it doesn't quite fit the "classic trench" category either. :D&nbsp;</p> <p>I adore you in a short trench! It's really fantastic on you!</div><div><br /></div><div>And loved this post :)&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411909 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:58:22 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2411909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Suz, thanks for the fun read. I am with you. When I first saw the cropped trenches a couple of years ago, I thought, well, that's inventive and cool looking but SO IMPRACTICAL--harumph!&nbsp;</div><div>Yeah, now I have one and I quite like it, in a similar climate to yours. Just goes to show, "never say 'never.'"</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411901 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:36:56 +0000 Suz 2411901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, so the <b>YAYs</b> are partly based on the fashion sense of the short trench with the current wide leg pants. Thanks <b>Robin, Slim Cat, JAileen, Carla,</b> and others who pointed out that it just looks good.&nbsp;</p> <p>And the nays are based on its lack of practicality in the poster's climate (which I totally understand) and on the psychological sense of being "uncovered" (thanks, <b>LJP</b> and <b>Sisi </b>and <b>Kkards</b>.) I must admit, I fully shared your view when I lived back east -- then I felt strongly that a coat needs to cover the bum! Especially in the cold. And especially if you are a commuter who uses transit!&nbsp;</p> <p>I personally don't worry so much about sitting on transit seats in my trousers -- nothing untoward has ever happened to me from doing that, though of course I wouldn't sit on an obviously soiled seat, but I get the psychological sense of not wanting to touch a place where so many others have been. (For me, it's more my hands I worry about -- always want to wash them directly I get inside!)&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Janet </b>and <b>Bijou </b>(who live in different climates) both point out that their cropped trenches have got far more wear than their longer ones. <b>Janet'</b>s point that sometimes a long trench can just feel like "too much" resonates for me...I had long trenches for years that I barely wore, as much as I loved them. Partly it was my climate back east -- they were not warm enough for the time when we got most of our rain -- or they were too warm. (A short trench could have worked in summer, as <b>Brooklyn</b> hints.) But partly it was what <b>Janet </b>alludes to. The long trench felt too formal for my lifestyle. It lacke the insouciance of the shorter one.&nbsp;</p> <p>So I guess I like mine for both because it's fashionable and because it's genuinely functional (for me, in my climate) in a way I didn't anticipate.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for chiming in, everyone!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411889 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:07:31 +0000 RobinF 2411889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I generally prefer longer coats but I'll vote YAY on this, if, as JAileen pointed out, I'm not thinking of it as a raincoat. I think the cropped look is better with wide leg bottoms so fashion-wise they work but I do still like having my butt covered most of the time for warmth and dryness.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411878 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:33:20 +0000 Sisi 2411878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>NAY for me ... but not for the reasons one could think.<br />I understand your point of view Suz, and it makes sense. But even under a short rain, a drizzle, I would prefer to have "my butt covered" as <b>Kkards</b>&nbsp; says. A longish topper makes me feel protected, "safe". It is not climate-related - it is a psychological thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411868 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:12:49 +0000 Brooklyn 2411868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m a yay. Even though we do tend to have a torrential downpour type climate. A cropped trench would be more useful as a trans seasonal jacket for me. I’ve never had much success with long trench coats. Not warm enough for winter, too hot and heavy for any other time of year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411856 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:40:02 +0000 slim cat 2411856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm both <b></b>&nbsp;<b>Yay&nbsp;</b>and&nbsp;<b>Nay</b> - lol. I prefer my old windbreaker that I've got years ago in Moscow ( it's made in Finland brand Skila ) that was rarely worn in Seattle and became my favorite thing in San Jose. I like the length that slightly cropped but covered my behind ( agree with&nbsp;<b>LJP</b> about sitting and waiting for a bus ) and the overall sporty feel of windbreaker. <br />I love short trenches on other people and adore the one that&nbsp;<b>Suz&nbsp;</b>modeling - fab! So - mostly&nbsp;<b>Yay</b> . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411851 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:44:44 +0000 Bijou 2411851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The only coat that I have ever worn out (the lining ripped) was a cropped trench, it was great quality, but I wore it so much that it eventually got worn out. I found it incredibly useful and am very glad to see them trending again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411835 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:58:04 +0000 Vicki 2411835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, You’ve sold me and I voted “Yay” and your reasons for living where you do make perfect sense. This is why I think a short trench works for me here in Southern California where I often run cold even in the springtime when others are wearing T-shirts or are sleeveless. If I am near the water, I definitely need a wrap, as we would see in the Midwest, or a cover-up. In fact, I bought the Mango trench in a size XS and while it’s a bit large, I don’t mind. I wore it for the first time at some friends’ Sailing club opening day event which happened to be in the harbor and it was a perfect jacket for me in cool, sunny weather. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411832 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:47:33 +0000 LJP 2411832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well , I’m coming at this from a new-to- me point of view. I started using public transit to get home from work about 2 yrs ago . Having gone from a car-to- building lifestyle to now parking my butt on a bus bench and a bus seat 3 or 4 times a week , I won’t wear a coat that doesn’t cover my rear end . It kind of grosses me out to sit on something vaguely unclean without some protection . This never ever occurred to me in the past and my coats were chosen for how they looked rather than how they performed . Life is so harsh </p> <p>So I used to have cute short swing coats and cropped trench-like toppers ( Kit &amp; Ace for me too ) but now my car coat length Mac does the trick . If it’s pouring rain I have a proper cocoon cut nylon raincoat with a hood . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411829 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:36:35 +0000 Jaime 2411829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A definite YAY Suz, just as much for your delightful prose as your short trench. I just don't think of it as heavy downpour gear but of course not all rain is a heavy downpour and it is so much more practical for walking, getting into cars and, of course, biking.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411818 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:32:07 +0000 ChristelJ 2411818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire all the adorable short trenches folks here have got, and it’s good to hear they can even be practical in the right places! I have the wantsies now but absolutely no need for one of these in my hot climate. I only wear jackets indoors for the brutal AC.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411816 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:21:54 +0000 Debbie 2411816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay for me! We get rain infrequently often with flash flooding. Most of our rainy days are very light and in my hot humid climate the short trench works wonderfully. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411811 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:03:40 +0000 Val MN 2411811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nay for where I live now (Upper Midwest, US). I used to live in the Pacific Northwest, and can see how it could be practical there. Thanks for reporting! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411807 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:39:22 +0000 Joyce 2411807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too live on the wet coast and reluctantly adopted a short trench with a detachable hood, Kit &amp; Ace. In the past I have had trouble wearing short outside jackets for all reasons mentioned; not practical in rain, not warm enough. But as Suz wrote, it is a great style enhancer to wide legs and is surprisingly warm and functional in a light rain. My never has become a happy sometimes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411805 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:35:29 +0000 Carla 2411805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m a Yay! though mine isn’t waterproof, but more of a topper as described by&nbsp;<b>jAileen. &nbsp;</b>I love it for its ease of wear - especially when doing errands involving getting in and out of a vehicle - and for being a fashion forward piece. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411804 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:07:00 +0000 Angie 2411804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay, yay, <b>YAY!!!&nbsp;</b></p> <p><b>Suz</b>, I fully agree! I have to run off and work with a client, although needed to stop by quickly and say that BOTH my trench coats - long and short (see FINDS) - are wardrobe workhorses and wardrobe essentials for my style. I have worn my short trench coat sooooo much more than I expected! :)&nbsp;</p> <p>LOVE you in your KILLER short trench!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411802 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:52:40 +0000 Janet 2411802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I absolutely agree. For where I live, and for my lifestyle, a full-length trench can be overkill AND can be a bit too formal. My cropped trench has seen more wear in the past couple of months than my classic Burberry has seen in years (although to be fair, that's also partly because the Burberry is a little snug these days). On days when I need to be more prepared for downpour, I turn to my Athleta raincoat with its hood. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411800 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:29:33 +0000 JAileen 2411800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I was a little dubious about these short trench coats at first, but I changed my opinion when I stopped thinking of them as raincoats. &nbsp;I&nbsp;think of them as another layer, like a utility jacket, but in a different style. &nbsp;The fact that some are waterproof, like Suz’s is great, but most aren’t. &nbsp;Most raincoats aren’t waterproof. &nbsp;You might say, what do you care? &nbsp;You live in a desert! &nbsp;Yes, but I go places where it rains. &nbsp;Anyway,&nbsp;I haven’t seen the short trench that I can’t live without, but I haven’t ruled them out. &nbsp;And the ones I’ve seen here look great.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411798 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:31:13 +0000 Suz 2411798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sarah,</b> right??? There is rain, and then there is <b>RAIN</b>, and while we do get a lot of rain, we rarely if ever get that kind of rain that feels like the gods released the floodgates and the deluge is upon us.&nbsp;</p> <p>Even the atmospheric river events are more of a steady, <b>looooong</b> rain vs. an intense <b>hard</b> rain.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411797 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:26:34 +0000 Irina 2411797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For someone who bikes, it absolutely makes sense. I personally prefer longer lengths in trenches but I don’t ever bike.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411795 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:17:51 +0000 SarahD8 2411795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can confirm your assessment of the practical requirements for dealing with Cascadia weather, and I would absolutely wear your short trench for an intermittently drizzly spring day.</p> <p>I was recently in Chicago for a work conference and one evening there was an absolute cloudburst. "My gosh," I thought, feeling my shoes fill with water as I dashed about 200 feet from a restaurant to my waiting Lyft, "it NEVER rains like this in Seattle!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411794 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:00:02 +0000 Suz 2411794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>kkards</b>, i hear you, and back when I lived in Ontario, I'd have said the same!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411791 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:41:17 +0000 kkards 2411791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>unpopular opinion any coat that doesn't cover my butt is an indoor coat</p> <p>i get the appeal but for me i'm not convinced of the practicality, but different horses for different courses </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411790 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:37:05 +0000 Suz 2411790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Aquamarine, </b>you raise a good point -- if a person doesn't walk a lot but travels by car or transit, this length of jacket might be enough.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'll add another note -- it's useful for me on my bike.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411788 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:33:18 +0000 Aquamarine 2411788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m a YAY! Love my new short trench! I’m rarely on foot and if I am and rain is in the forecast, I might bring an umbrella….or just wear another rain coat. But we have been in a drought here for a while, so it’s not been a problem.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-practicality-of-the-trendy-short-trench#post-2411784 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:27:50 +0000 Suz 2411784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to take a controversial position and stick up for the short trench as actual rainwear.&nbsp;</p> <p>Actual rainwear, you are thinking. Ha! Poor Suz. She's lost her senses.</p> <p>Ok. But hear me out.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's agreed -- there's nobody on the forum more sniffish about "seasonal confusion" than me -- and I see it everywhere. <b>EVERYWHERE</b>!! </p> <p>Granted, my views have been moderated by the experience of moving to a new climate, where I have learned that what is seasonal confusion in one part of the world may be plain good sense -- or at least not impractical --&nbsp; in another. Bare ankles and toques or beanies, for instance. This combo&nbsp;makes <b>no </b>sense for winters in Ontario, where I used to live. Whereas on some winter days here on the wet coast, and for some people, who run warmish, it can work quite well.</p> <p>Short trench coats were available last year and maybe even the year before. I was immediately drawn to the <b>look</b>. But I scoffed. I mean I literally laughed out loud. Who needs a raincoat that will not keep them dry?</p> <p>As you know, I have since bought one of these babies myself. And I love it! It's a workhorse! And not just because the proportions work with wide legs, which I like to wear.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here's why: My own short trench <b>does&nbsp;</b>keep me dry. Admittedly, mine is a gearish version with a hood. And admittedly, I haven't walked for hours in a downpour while wearing it.&nbsp;</p> <p>But here's the thing. While downpours and atmospheric rivers do occur where I live, and require more serious rainwear, most spring days are not like that.&nbsp;</p> <p>Most days, the forecast is for intermittent <b>showers,&nbsp;</b>with a mere possibility of more serious rain. And it turns out, the short trench is <b>perfect </b>for such weather.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;For the more serious rain, an umbrella or longer rainwear or both are required. But those days become less and less common as winter turns into spring.&nbsp;</p> <p>In short, if you get the kind of rain that is more common back east, I.e. constant downpour or thunderstorm, then no, these jackets won't work, except for style and possibly wind coverage. But if you live in a climate like mine, this is a surprisingly practical piece of clothing.&nbsp; </p> <p><b>So: who's with me? Short trenches can be practical: Vote YAY.&nbsp;</b></p> <p><b>Short trenches are a seasonally confused fashion idiocy where I live: Vote NAY!&nbsp;</b></p>