Long Trenches, one more try... - YouLookFab Forum

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Long Trenches, one more try...

Staysfit

Veteran

If you are reading this, thanks for bearing with me as I hunt for the right trench! A quick recap: I found a short trench but am still looking for a long trench. I have rejected a sky blue Lela Rose, and Lavender Kate Spade for being too large. I re-ordered the Kate Spade in an XS which I show here. I held onto an XS Tibi turquoise trench because I like the color and its lightweight construction. I'm not certain of the fit. I also decided to once again try a Burberry trench even though I have had bad luck in the past.
I have learned that designs can change. Below is the Kensington long trench in charcoal grey. At Bijou's suggestion, I ordered the lilac boots to try with the Kate Spade. I have to say that they are very comfy on my feet, easy to walk in despite having 3 inch heels, and the color is scrumptious. My biggest issue with them is they are not sleek at the ankle. I could not wear these with anything but a midi skirt or dress. The reviews said they were hard to pull on and that the calf fit is narrow. Not in my experience at all!! I have narrow calves, and they are loose, maybe too loose. Should I return them or is this how they are supposed to look?
I am wearing exercise leggings and a top plus a blazer under these trenches this morning! DH agreed to take pics but he only had a short time so I needed to take advantage when I could...

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39 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Anonymous

You got the boots-happy dance The brown has the best fit to my eye-the other two the long extra flaps on the back are throwing me off a bit. But they look better in the front than the larger size.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Good morning! The lavender coat with plaid lapels looks like a better fit than the previous size. Still thinking the blue looks a little large but I do like the color in these shots - maybe the lighting is different?

The charcoal one looks lovely. However, is it really long? It looks like it’s knee length, and I had the idea you wanted “long” to be like a midi length, like the first light blue with gingham one.

Also, just my opinion, but many of the less expensive ones look just as nice as the Burberry.

Bijou

Veteran

The Burberry gets my vote for the best fit, although I am sure you could get it in a longer length as it is shorter than the other two. This cut is so great on you and I like the colour too. A gorgeous classic that would serve you well for years. However, with such a piece, I would only keep it if I loved it.

You look great in the XS in the Kate Spade and the boots are lovely with it. The Tibi is meant to be oversized, and is a beautiful colour, but on you I prefer a more tailored fit, so Burberry and KS are better to my eye.

Staysfit

Veteran

CJH, do you have some suggestions of cheaper brands that I can try that might have long enough sleeves, or at least be of good enough quality that the sleeves have enough allowance in the seam for lengthening? I have tried Michael Kors, J Crew, London Fog, and many others but I’m sure there are more I have not tried and should.

Suntiger, I think the longer flap is supposed to be a cape like effect, but it doesn’t seem effective on me right?!

Anonymous

Well it makes the back appear wider than the brown where that bit is shorter. Other than that I'd like the first 2 more!

Joy

Veteran

Return the Tibi blue coat. It is just too large even with a blazer under it. The Kate Spade is much better in this size. I like the Burberry on you but not that color. It is ok but does nothing for you.
Three inch heels is way too much for boots that you may want to wear on wet or slippery surfaces as you get older, no matter how comfortable. They are pretty.
Regarding the long trench, do you want a color or a neutral? How do you see yourself wearing it? And on what occasions?

missvee

Veteran

Looking at colour and fit I think the Kate Spade is the best of the bunch. It’s lovely on you. I still like the Tibi for colour, but the oversized style does seem to overwhelm your frame. The boots look fine - would you get much wear out of them? They could be a wildcard I suppose.

smittie

Veteran

I like the turquoise trench best. It is a lovely spring colour. I like that it is a lightweight fabric. Can you size down 1 size? The arm length is great, although I think you could bring it up a little. If you stick with this size, I am wondering if you can tailor the back so it is less wide...

Bennett

Veteran

In this post, I love the first blue trench the most. I think the pleat details on the back just need to be sharply pressed flat. This would take down some of the fullness, but I love the drama and length of the shoulder cape. Super interest in the back.

Good long length at hem and sleeves, and notice how this one lays close to your body along your sides when viewed from straight on? Much more flattering and elongating than the A-shaped Burberry.

For some reason the buttons stand out in an annoying way on the charcoal coat.

Staysfit

Veteran

Joy, your questions are thought provoking and excellent. I want a trench that I can wear over midi and even maxi length dresses. Most of the time, I wear my coats between the parking lot or garage and the venue where they will have either a coat check or racks for coats. It’s rare that we walk more than three or four blocks to get from parking to an event. Sometimes, for our local stage productions, and some of the college events I attend with DH, my coat would be more visible to people because we end up socializing before we hang our coats, I would end up wearing the long trench to my workplace on occasion. Color seems to make me happier than neutrals at the moment, although I feel like certain colors work better than others with the rest of my wardrobe.

I agree with you about the boots! I am going to twist an ankle, or slip and fall and it will be a disaster!!

Missvee, If the boots were more fitted and had a lower heel I would be tempted to keep them, these are wrong for me.

Smittee, I found the Tibi in a size smaller but it’s not on sale anymore so it would be $350 more to order and keep than this one, so I’m reluctant. I also think it’s hard to manage the odd buttoned belt around the collar. I like the buttons though, they are fun.

Suntiger, I wonder if it can be shortened? I can check with the tailor.....

Joyce B

Veteran

I think the darker colored trench fits you very nicely. The turkoise does not seem to fit right and I agree with Joy that the color of the pink coat is not your best color. Maybe in a top it would work but not in a larger item such as a coat.

Staysfit

Veteran

Bennett, you are right! There is a pleat in the middle of the back and somehow I have not noticed it. In my haste to have DH take pictures I did not press the Tibi! Hanging it in bathroom did not work, so I think it may need my steamer and or iron,

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Calvin Klein, https://www.lordandtaylor.com/.....gIrX_D_BwE

You said you tried Michael Kors, but this
https://www.michaelkors.com/li.....MS92HP68SG

Brooks Brothers traditional khaki
https://www.brooksbrothers.com.....gIxQfD_BwE

Everlane
https://www.everlane.com/produ.....-outerwear

COS
https://www.cosstores.com/en_u.....gK-2_D_BwE

Ralph Lauren
https://www.lordandtaylor.com/.....gL4J_D_BwE

Theory
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p.....d215670220

None are super colorful, but I guess I’d make my statement with my outfit or accessories, especially if the coat check staff are going to be the ones looking at the coat most of the evening.

Runcarla

Veteran

Joy already voiced everything I was thinking about these coats.

Hang in there, SF! You are getting closer! Now that you have that marvellous Hobb's short trench, you need to hold out for an equally fabulous long trench.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Boden
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us.....5181932567!!!g!!&cm_mmc=PLA-_-Google1719259632-_-66295700094-_-40116072&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7dS25sql4gIVzLrACh2LewQSEAQYDiABEgIqyvD_BwE

No buttons, Equipment
https://www.equipmentfr.com/al.....ch-biscuit

Traditional color, lovely feminine style, Club Monaco
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/c.....olor=khaki

Staysfit

Veteran

Thanks CJH, I am looking at all of these and will give them serious consideration. I am trying to be picky about fit, function, and appearance. I am tired of settling for something that is not quite right.

Mainelady

Veteran

I think you have been given some excellent advice. I completely understand How frustrating the search for just the right trench can be. I think the fit of the Burberry looks wonderful on you. I think it may come in a longer length. While the charcoal is a handsome color, after seeing you in the turquoise and lavender, it doesn’t look quite as special to my eye. I am sure it would be a work horse, but do you love it? If you don’t, then this isn’t your coat. Burberry does have some other colors.....the pink apricot might look good on you. I don’t know which styles it is available in though. I am sending positive trench energy your way. Your dream trench is out there somewhere!

Staysfit

Veteran

Mainelady, I checked the Burberry website and this is the longest length in this particular style trench. I believe the Chelsea trench may have a longer length but it comes in black and in honey which are not my favored colors. I have to look again at their pink apricot trenches......

Would navy look okay on me?

Jane

Veteran

The Burberry is a lovely colour and my favourite of these, but I don't think it is long enough for the maxi dresses that you are thinking of wearing with it.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I like the Burberry, it fits beautifully, but not long enough for what you want- would have to replace the Hobbs you have already picked, to be your shorter trench. And the Hobbs looked so great.
The smaller Kate Spade is a better fit than its predecessor. The wrong colour lilac for those new boots which are too much lilac for my taste- overwhelming. Not that your taste needs to be mine!
I still love the Tibi on you the best for your long trench. The colour is just so gorgeous I feel you will get heaps of compliments.
So my prescription for your search is: Long trench, Tibi. Short trench, Hobbs. Return the boots.
However this is not the usual sort of prescription I do and I am an amateur here

Staysfit

Veteran

LOL Jenni NZ! It’s a perfect fashion prescription and one I am strongly considering. The Kate Spade trench color did not photograph well. It’s a little richer in person, but probably still too light. I think it may be better suited to someone with light winter coloring because it is an icy tone.

I am not keeping the boots. Maybe it’s hard to tell, but they are much too large in the ankles and calves. They also do not work well with my wardrobe.

If I had to pick between the Hobbs and the Burberry, the Hobbs would win because I like both the fit and the color better.

Making a choice between the Kate Spade and the Tibi is harder!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I like the fit of the Kate Spade, but I'm not crazy about the collar. The proportions of the way it's folded is off to my eye. Do they by any chance make other trenches?

I'm also not keen on the buttons on the charcoal one. Nor the length... I don't think it's what you are after.

Not sure about the Tibi either... not sure why. Size maybe. Any chance you could contact them as ask to exchange it for the smaller size, and not have to actually order it, to keep the sale price?

Keep at it!!

AndiB

Veteran

Are you heartset in a longer classic trench? You are so tiny that even the coats that fit seem to swallow you. Have you considered a single breasted long dressy rain coat? I think you’d rock something a bit more feminine. Aha, that’s it! The trenches seems bit masculine which isn’t a style moniker I would apply to you

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I also just read your response to Synne’s thread about fashion mistakes. You mention fit not being perfect as a mistake. And while I adore the Tibi because of the colour, a lot of Fabbers, in this and other threads, think it is too big, or overwhelming. So in the spirit of friendship and our shared profession, I raise the issue in case there is a risk that you could later feel it was a mistake.
I think I am less fussy about fit than others.

Anonymous

The Tibi is a beautiful color but there's just too much of it here, the Burberry is "fine" but maybe just a little grim and a little too "been there done that".The Kate Spade is best for for color and fit. Maybe you could buy something else in that lovely blue?

Staysfit

Veteran

Jenni NZ, you are absolutely right. DH and I were sitting and talking about my returning everything except the Hobbs and continuing the search, except we both love the color of the Tibi..... So, I caved and ordered the XXS for comparison. If it works, I could have another winner. I also think it’s silly to have two lavender trenches.....

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, big purchases like this can sure be a lot of work! Good for you to be so careful about making a good decision.

Out of these three, I like the Kate Spade best. I like the proportions with your figure. The waist tie seems to be in a good spot. I like the color of it, although I do find the color of the Burberry to be more flattering.

The turquoise one looks a little too big. I'm glad you're ordering a size down. I would watch on this one for the placement of the waist tie. On the first photo, it looks like the tie is a little too high for your natural waist, and the proportions don't look as pleasing as they could with a lower tie (like on the Burberry), IMO.

I really like the color of the Burberry, but I like the design of the other trenches more. I think what I like about the other trenches is the length. I think the longer length looks good on you.

Too bad that the boots aren't the best fit! My heart has often been broken by a cute pair of boots that is ill fitting. I would definitely return these, because they are too big in the calf.

taylor

Veteran

Burberry for the win , not even a close second here.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the Burberry trench on you and that is my pick. The shoulder fit is great and I love the classic trench style.
And the lavender boots are keepers. Slouchy is trending but regardless the color is gorgeous and if they are comfortable I think they look wonderful on you.

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