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Sleeveless trench coats?

nemosmom

Veteran

After trying and failing to style my trench for the recent trench challenge, I find myself debating hacking the sleeves off my trench to make a sleeveless version. But first, I thought I would ask you all: do you have a sleeveless trench and how do you style it?

I don’t know how practical they are - maybe just a dressier version of a utility vest? I looked online for outfit ideas, but I’m only seeing them styled with heels.

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from smittie

Inge

(website)

I love the look of a sleeveless trench (and other types of "maxi vests", aka long gilets). I think the versatility depends a bit on your climate and/or how warm/cold you run.

Will see if I can rustle up some styling examples with flats (I hear you, first thing I see when I start searching is heels, heels, and more heels, but then again, I can totally see many of those outfits with a flat shoe too > you could think of it this way:

- see a high-heeled pump > replace it with a pointy-toe flat, an oxford, or a loafer or even a sneaker or sneaker hybrid for a more relaxed vibe

- see a high-heeled bootie or knee-high boots > replace with similar styles of footwear, but sans the heels

Easy peasy;-)

Inge

(website)

Some examples (I've thrown in some examples of outfits with gilets too, because I think those could work just as well with a sleeveless trench):

Flats

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/408279522468436292/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/281263939212374937/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348958671120878725/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342062534198060353/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/479140847853111487/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/640214903259180691/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/507851295466006776/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557250153885582572/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/427138345888420806/

https://www.instagram.com/p/90ldZkhM9l/

https://i.pinimg.com/originals.....5682d2.jpg

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/616852480187053818/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/656399714413215649/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/112660428164192459/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/268949408982463494/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/41306521567977485/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517077896490/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517077122956/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517078485798/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517067569611/

Heels (but see my comment above, I really do believe you can switch out the footwear quite easily in many of these outfits)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/33847434684449600/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/759560293379553010/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/521150988130660034/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/501658845991602692/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/270145677633939018/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/.....rCgSEdJOs/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/36591815709349790/

Does this help at all?-)

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh wow, Inge! Thank you so much for going to the trouble to find so many fab outfits! YES, that helps a TON!

I have a utility vest, but it skews VERY casual. I had not heard of a gilet before - I had to google it!

After seeing your links, I think a point toe flat or nice loafer could work as a fine sub for the pumps. Not sure about the sneaker... maybe a refined shoe is the key, regardless of the heel height.... I will have to play with it, I think... But, it's great to have some solid visuals to go on before I go chopping off the sleeves...

Thanks again, Inge! You're the best!

Joy

Veteran

Instead of chopping off the sleeves, you might try an inexpensive gullet to see how you like it. I have a long black fillet that looks like a sleeveless coat that I may have worn once. I prefer sleeveless jackets over a tank top or sleeveless piece as a way to add a third piece and still be cool in hot weather. The long coat, even sleeveless, may be too warm and look seasonally confusing

rachylou

Veteran

I like a sleeveless trench! I don’t think of it as a coat, more of an indoor topper. Something lighter for spring or summer. To me, any shoes go with. You can go quite sporty with them.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea and now you have lots of inspo!

Inge you should save all your finds on a pinterest board called Excellent Inspiration!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

My gilet is my faux fur vest so it’s very warm. I think Suz and others had a long gilet which was quite popular on the forum maybe 2 years ago? Quite elegant. Those were great visuals Inge. I’m enjoying long cardigans again- I have 2 now. Hadn’t owned one since about 2007!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Here is the one, I found it. Sold out but maybe some Fabbers have pics of them wearing theirs.

Rag & Bone 'Faye' Longline Double Breasted Wool Blend Vest

$575.00 $229.98

Sale

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38

Anonymous

Angie had an outfit with one too, maybe that same. Suz has it, thought she wore fairly recently.

L'Abeille

Veteran

I was hoping some of our sewing people would chime in but until they do.... Changing a sleeved coat to sleeveless is not an easy hack. You would need to recut/reshape the armhole and add a facing.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have the Rag&Bone Faye Gilet Jenni NZ mentions. I wear it in the transition between fall and winter when the weather is too cool to go without a jacket, but still too warm to wear most of them. It also works nicely as a topper over my dresses and jeans on cold winter days. I need to look and see if I posted any pics...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the look of sleeveless trenches, but the style is nearly useless in my climate for my lifestyle. Will it increase your potential wear or limit it further?

Jules

Veteran

I’m with Janet - you’d be taking an item which at least has practical value in a pinch, and making it into what *might* be a fun statement item but with limited utility.

Bijou

Veteran

I wear my gilet as a topper for indoors. I always feel a bit strange sitting at my desk at work in a thick coat. However, a gilet, because it does not have the sleeves seems more indoor appropriate. I do think it is less versatile than a trench, but if you are not wearing your trench what do you have to lose by altering it?

Anonymous

I've always loved the look of a long sleeveless trench, but cutting the sleeves off of an existing coat isn't a great idea unless you know what you're doing and are up for a challenge . Sewing person reporting here Not sure it's worth the work.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Don't cut the sleeves off your trench. The armholes are cut differently for that silhouette.

Sleeveless tenches make the most sense in the Southern hemisphere, California, Florida, Southern states, Oz, NZ, and some Asian countries where the weather is warmer year round.

I have the woolly gilet. It's not practical because I live in Seattle and am always cold. But a great piece that I wear every year for a short while. That's good enough for me. It won't date!

Rag & Bone 'Faye' Longline Double Breasted Wool Blend Vest

$575.00 $229.98

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

38

nemosmom

Veteran

Thank you, everyone for your comments! I figured if chopping the sleeves was an inexpensive hack, it might help me get some wear out of my trench. The trench was inexpensive, but I may not want to sink more money into it.... My sewing skills are intermediate at best, and aside from Halloween costumes, they are never seen outside the house! I think I will put the trench in holding until fall, or maybe just pass it on.

fifthandfinest

(website)

Meghan Markle style! (see her leaving the hospital with baby Archie).

smittie

Veteran

I love the idea. Not sure about practicality. If it is a fairly lightweight fabric, I think it could work as an indoor piece.