Will this date? - YouLookFab Forum

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Will this date?

Carla

Veteran

I’ve been loading this cropped trench in and out of my cart since last fall, and I’ve finally pulled the trigger! My concern was that the cropped style would scream ‘I’m from ‘25-‘26’ and then look severely dated in a year or two.

But…it’s just so d@#% cute! When I was at the mall, I saw a version of the cropped trench in every store!

What convinced me was #1 a great price on the Mark’s Work Warehouse site, and #2 the fact that I managed to snag two great pair of medium/wide full-length-for-me jeans that I think will create a really cool silouhette.

My fingers are crossed that it will be a fun addition to my S/S style!

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25 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have no idea because I don’t care if something “screams” it is from a certain year, what I think about is whether I love it. Angie’s opinion is that things don’t date any more, is it not? Although I think Irina and LJP have stated they don’t agree with her. Maybe you don’t agree either and think things still date?
It looks cute…

Sal

Veteran

I like it. My advice is just wear it and see how you go. I think if you love something there’s always a way to wear it.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I really like the look, and I can see it being a workhorse for you. It's a fun updated classic, and you'll look smashing in it. I started seeing this style a couple of years ago, in European stores.

Lisa

Veteran

I think this is a great addition to your wardrobe. And if it becomes "dated" who cares? Maybe then it'll just be your "signature look." As long as you enjoy the style, keep wearing it!

Indigoprint

Veteran

I am thinking no, since it is a classic trench style. And it is going to look FAB with fuller bottoms.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

If it was a good price and you going to wear it a ton does it matter? You are excited about it now and it will certainly still be cool for quite a few years. I think those particular items only ' scream their year' quite a number of years later. So lots of time for it to be enjoyed as current :).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think the cropped trench will have some longevity — it’s a modern twist on a classic, and is practical and cute. I bought this navy plaid one last year and our wearing season is not long, but I enjoy it when I can. It fills a hole in toppers, when some feel a bit too casual or sporty and some a bit too formal.

It clearly speaks to you, so I say go for it!

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Dee

Veteran

I say enjoy, you love it and will wear it and it suits your style direction.

kkards

Veteran

Will it date, probably. Will it matter? Only you can answer that.

For me, with something like this the question isn’t will it date, but will I feel dated in it? If you love it and it feels like you and you think it’s useful, then imo it will not be dated on you.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like cropped trenches, and I think this one is going to look smashing on you. As for dated, everything dates a little over time, no matter how classic … shoulder shapes change, buttons change, lengths are up and down but it’s only the fussiest among us that notice

LJP

Veteran

As Indigoprint said.

I really like it - I've always loved a shorter swing jacket and think this will make such a great outfit with the new jeans. I wouldn't associate a cropped swing trench with a particular era - btw.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What JenniNZ said!

SUPER CUTE!! Short trenches are having a fashion moment - (and my posts about that are ready to go).

To answer your question, and FWIW, this is my opinion

It won't date, Carla., I don't see how items date - (these days) - if the fabric isn't dated. Fabric does date! I see items in thrift and vintage stores that are completely unwearable because of the fabric - not because of the style, colour, fit or silhouette. An outfit combination can date, and you might personally be done with a look - and THAT is also extremely subjective!!! Doesn't mean the item is dated. A plethora of YouTube style channels will tell you what is "unstylish and dated" - and someone is wearing the look or item beautifully on IG, on the street, or in Vogue. It's laughable!

Case in point. WIWs on this forum: Look at Jaime, Mary Beth and JenniNZ regularly wear items with verve and sass that are decades old (the fabric and quality has miraculously lasted!) In refreshed ways, in current ways, with their personal stamps. That's stylish!

This brings me back to this trench and what Sharan said. It's made of fabric that is wearable for at least 10 years. Hopefully the quality will last that long too! I can see this look work seamlessly into your classic style, Carla. Especially if it's not too oversized. Watch the fit in the sleeves and shoulders. That's all the info you need at this point.

I refreshed my Spring and Summer outerwear capsule with a short oversized trench coat! My '80s gene wanted a BIG version of the look, so that's what I did. It's good over my BIG knits too. This is what I got. I'm excited to wear it when it's warm enough!

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Mango Cuba Oversize Short Cotton Trench Coat

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Mango Cuba Oversize Short Cotton Trench Coat

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like the cropped trenches, and especially for your classic style -- they are an update on a classic that you love and that loves you back. This colour would be great on you, and versatile. The back is a swing style, which I think is ageless and always fun. And it is the type of topper that could come in useful in varied situations. I'd give it a try. My only suggestion would be to make sure you are happy with the degree of oversize in the shoulder. You can wear it well, I think -- but only if the fit is right.

Jules

Veteran

I have also been loving this style! And personally I think it’s totally fine to buy a trendy item that may or may not be for the longterm once in a while Can’t wait to see it in WIW!

Irina

Veteran

Jenni NZ, I don’t think things necessarily date but I believe they can be styled in a dated or in a modern way. If one wears skinny jeans with a waterfall cardigan, it looks dates to me but skinny jeans worn with a contemporary item like an oversized, belted blazer or a cropped trench like that, would look modern. But I tried to explain the difference many times here, so…
Carla, I think cropped trenches are classic enough to last but only if you are really into them. I love trenches very much, short and long.

Carla

Veteran

Thanks for the positive feedback. I’m usually pretty sure about my fashion acquisitions, but I tend to gravitate to classic things with traditional cuts. My normal for a trench would be a thigh or below knee length belted style. The cropped style that started showing up looks so ‘new’, and to me fashion forward - that it had me questioning my instincts. (I’m overthinking this, I know.) I agree fabric content is important, and the high % of cotton bodes well for this garment. I love the swing style!

It’s on the way to me…

I already picked up a stripped down oversized trucker style jacket to replace a same coloured LLBean field coat that wore out. Oversized doesn’t always work on me - but this one does!

I’m feeling quite chuffed with my spring coats for 2026. Now, if it would just stop snowing!!

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LJP

Veteran

deleted.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree with Angie (and thanks for the shoutout - made my day!) and everyone that it is about the styling more than the pieces these days. And cropped trenches have stuck around, they are not a flash in the pan.
But I agree with kkards and UmmLila that certain aspects of all pieces date - in the sense that you can see when they were produced based on subtle or not so subtle clues. Which does not mean you will look dated wearing them. That distinction is where it's at, whatever it is .

AndiB

Veteran

I got a cropped trench … 5 years ago now? I think it was j crew and about the same length as yours. An olive-y green and weather will warm soon to wear it. I feel like it has longevity for sure. And I’m NEVER on the front end of trends but I get there. I got there early for this one! Gonna pull it out of off season when I get home from vaca. Also neither mine nor yours is super cropped, this is a pretty traditional length

Kate

Veteran

I bought a dark brown, very cropped trench from Zara about 18 months ago because it really tickled my fancy. I figured it would be a great little lightweight topper for cool spring (when we have them) and fall weather. And it was brown! I'll enjoy wearing it until I'm done with it.

RobinF

Veteran

Ooh I was eyeing one of these last fall too! Still love them.

I know exactly what you mean about screaming 25-26 and I try to avoid those items myself - or I usually procrastinate and then find out I don't want it any more. I don't think this will be one of those. I wouldn't be surprised if a cropped trench joins other trenches as a classic.

LJP

Veteran

JenniZ - I would prefer to speak for myself on this issue, thanks :).

Aquamarine

Veteran

I can see this becoming a classic. I’m not much of a trench wearer, but a cropped trench seems more sporty/casual to me and therefore more useful for my lifestyle. I’ve been eyeing them myself. Looking forward to seeing how you style it.

unfrumped

Veteran

I have no idea about “ dating” (!).

I do know I get the head-exploding feeling every time I try to second- guess
my style choices from that standpoint. Not quite the same as taking a bit of time to consider something carefully, maybe putting the breaks on “ wantsies” , being more strategic about wardrobe holes, waiting for the right type of quality to float up upon the retail shores.

It’s funny because I do look at some things on Pinterest and create some board for wardrobe, home decor, garden ideas, things like that. And because those feeds and images come from a whole range of years, not always easily identified in writing, I’m sure I at times am enamored of an outfit or look that was “ popular “ 5 years, 10 years, who knows when, and very likely easily datable to the more discerning, but is “ new” to me—- some kind of combination I had not considered or seen much. Blissfully ignorant.

A bit more relevant is what Janet said about finding jackets that are somehow casual , but not too, polished, but not too. I am a jacket person and feel I have too many ( storage- wise and not wearing them all regularly enough fof tha ) but have lately found it hard to strike the right balance, for the “ style” of outfit I like. I have a few that work right so am trying to identify the qualities they have.
And while a longer trench coat is more classic— or can be, though various aspect can begin to look off - I find that style only works for a few types of use. They are basically outerwear and always look better if one is striding about. Which I mostly do when needing more utilitarian outerwear to go with active wear. Whereas some shorter jackets , while outerwear, are definitely more comfortable in the car, and can also be kept on your chair in a restaurant or other indoor venue and shrugged on if it’s glacial, without looking too much.

lyn67

Veteran

I don't think it will date, cause it is a great neutral and a classic cut, just shorter. This been said, I do have a similar short trench in lillac, which I bought 3 yrs ago-and still hanging unworn-think because the non-neutral and new to me color. I wanted so bad to try something different but just didn't work ever since:-(...cannot wait to see your new items styled!