WOMEN
The trench coat is an iconic wardrobe staple that you will find yourself wearing for years to come. It’s actually the most stylish form of a raincoat, traditionally made of durable and water-resistant gabardine cotton. It became a popular piece for soldiers to wear during the Boer and World Wars for its functional design. Besides the rain and mud friendly fabric, trench coats offer extra protection around the neck with their wide lapels and hook and eye latch, across the chest with their double breasted silhouette, and storm flap pockets to safely stow belongings. On top of all these practical benefits, trench coats have a comfortable and elegant design that make them one of the most versatile coats of all time. Find out why yours can easily become your go-to jacket for many occasions.
When Can I Wear A Trench Coat?
Where does the name trench coat come from? The name trench coat originates from the trenches of World War I, where soldiers would wear trench coats to protect themselves from the harsh conditions. As we mentioned, the trench coat is really a raincoat. They are quite lightweight but they are great for layering, which makes them excellent jackets to wear during the fall and spring. If you live somewhere with a mild or warm climate, you can also wear them during the winter (in fact, this might be your main option if it’s still too warm in the fall and spring). And if you live somewhere with a cold climate, you might even have to wear yours throughout the summer! Trench coats were designed to be worn over military uniforms, so the fit is quite roomy. This means that you can wear anything from a light t-shirt to a chunky sweater underneath your trench coat. You have the luxury of adjusting the fit of your trench coat with the belt, so it should never be too tight or too loose. And although the trench coat has water-resistant attributes, it looks great in any kind of weather.
The trench coat can be worn for an array of occasions. It’s sophisticated enough to be one of the few types of outerwear that looks good with formal clothing and suits (and is also long enough to comfortably cover suit jackets). The design is also simple enough to look great with ultra casual clothes like jeans and hoodies. You can wear your trench coat over a tuxedo to a black tie event, with your work or wedding guest suit, to complement your date night outfit, or with your off-duty weekend look. Because there are so many different options, we’ll be sharing our favorite winning combinations below.
How Can I Style A Trench Coat?
Formal Event (wedding, gala, etc)
This is a very simple combination: a trench coat and a suit. All you need to do is figure out which color will best complement your suit. The classic camel color looks great with pretty much any color suit and will always result in a timeless look. But if you want to try something a bit different, opt for darker colors. Khaki looks great with dark colored suits (navy, black, charcoal). A black or navy trench with a grey suit creates a darker and more dramatic feel - almost Peaky Blinders-esque. It’s better to stick to traditional, classic colored trench coats when it comes to formal events as this will fit in better with the dress code, as well as giving you a more refined air.
Work
Whether you have a business formal or casual dress code, a trench coat will fit right in with your work clothes. If you have to wear a full suit to work, try a trench coat in a matching color for an ultra stylish monochrome look. Break up the color with your shoes and possibly briefcase. For example, a grey trench coat and suit with brown shoes. If full monochrome isn’t your thing, try a slight variation by choosing similar tones, like a charcoal trench coat with a navy suit or a camel trench coat with a brown suit. If you have a more relaxed dress code and you like to mix and match, try some of the following options:
- A navy trench coat with a light blue shirt and grey slacks
- A camel trench coat with navy slacks, a white shirt, and a burgundy tie
- A khaki trench coat over a simple white shirt and black slacks
Again, stick to neutral colored trench coats as they will be easier to match with your work clothes.
Casual (brunch, coffee, etc)
Fashion lovers all over the world love using trench coats as their secret fashion weapon. They have the power to elevate any outfit and give it the perfect high-low balance. Trench coats are especially great if you’re spending your weekend out and about. They’ll seamlessly flow from brunch or coffee in the morning, to running errands in the afternoon, to ending the night at the pub. Find a cool and comfortable outfit as your base, and top it off with your trench coat! Here are our top picks:
- A trench coat, jeans, a t-shirt, and boots or sneakers.
- A trench coat, cardigan layered over a t-shirt, chinos, and boots.
- A trench coat, slightly unbuttoned/untucked shirt, jeans/chinos, and boots.
- A trench coat, sweater or hoodie, jeans, and sneakers.
With all of these variations you can play around with colors to find what matches best, but you can’t go wrong with a classic colors like black, white, and grey for your under layers. They will be easier to match with your trench coat, especially if you are choosing a brighter colored one. If it’s cold out you can add accessories like beanies and scarves, but make sure you are wearing the scarf underneath your trench coat.
On A Date
Wearing a trench coat on a date will show you’re truly making an effort to look good. Your date will appreciate it, especially if they’ve just spent hours getting ready themselves! Whether you’re heading to the movies, a cozy restaurant, or an upscale lounge, a trench coat will help elevate your date night look and give you Humphrey Bogart vibes. Here are some cool combinations to try:
- A camel trench coat, light blue shirt, dark wash jeans, and chukka or chelsea boots
- A khaki trench coat, black turtleneck, black jeans, and chelsea boots
- A navy trench coat, grey sweater layered over a white shirt (tie optional), dark wash jeans, and boots of choice
Of course, you can dress your outfit up or down depending on what you’re doing for the date, so feel free to take inspiration from any of the other previous suggestions. If you’re going somewhere fancy you might want to wear something tailored, or if you’re keeping things relaxed you can make your outfit more casual.
As you can see, a trench coat is an item that you can get a lot of wear out of. It’s an investment piece, but it’s one that will be worth every penny. Add one to your wardrobe this fall, you won’t regret it!
