A closet wouldn’t be complete without the trench coat, an essential piece of clothing. Its shape is classic by nature, and its usefulness is innate. But a trench coat may visually steal the show with its long lines, intricate design, and plenty of buttons and vents. Because of this, some people find it challenging to properly appreciate its significance as an outfit essential and to choose what to pair it with. Nonetheless, trench coats go well with a wide range of personal styles since there are countless ways to wear them.
First appearing in the early 1820s, the trench coat was a water-resistant outerwear choice for military officers of high rank. The original rubberized coat lost its bulky construction over time and evolved into a more breathable, water-repellent design that was used often in Hollywood productions in the 1940s, solidifying its status as an enduring fashion classic.
Today’s trench coats are far more adaptable than they would first seem, and they look well in a wide range of everyday settings, from dressy to casual. Here are some styling tips for trench coats that will work well with any direction the remainder of the ensemble chooses to go.
1. Transitional Trophy
The Transitional Trophy trench coats are ideal for enhancing your smart-casual ensembles while also acting as an anchor (particularly during seasonal transitions). For the ideal laid-back-yet-luxe style, team a trench with a cashmere sweater, your favorite jeans, and a suede loafer or a pair of designer shoes. Alternatively, dress down a button-down shirt, chinos, and Chelsea boots or derbies with a trench coat on top. Springtime will be acknowledged with a midi skirt and strappy sandals when the weather really warms up.
2. Put It in a Dressy
The criteria for trench coats are actually very much the same for work as they are for dressier evenings out. Keep the trench coat medium length, fitting but not too fitted, and in a neutral hue that either perfectly matches or contrasts with the color of what’s below, whether you’re wearing it over a dress, jacket, and baggy pants or jeans. If they are all in the same hue family, bonus points. A monochrome palette is, after all, one of the simplest guidelines for looking instantly polished. A pair of heels, as always, helps carry the ensemble into the evening.
One word of caution, though: a trench coat is usually not advised for really formal occasions (black tie or white tie). Trench coats complement a lot of formal suiting ensembles, but they’re not quite dressy enough for your most glamorous occasions. For guys, go for a clean-lined, dark-colored wool or cashmere overcoat. For ladies, consider more formal evening or cropped jackets, which are supposed to be worn over an evening gown and depend on the season or weather.
3. Task Appearances
Regardless matter how informal or professional your office’s dress code is, you may wear a trench coat to work. It basically essentially replaces any other overcoat that you would wear. However, here are some guidelines for achieving the desired look.
Now let’s talk about color. There are two options for you if you wear a blazer or a complete suit to work. For an effortlessly chic monochromatic style, match the color of your trench coat to your suit; alternatively, use a stark contrast between the colors to provide visual interest and keep things exciting. (A few suggestions for that latter front: You may wear a camel trench over navy, a khaki trench over black and white, or a navy trench over light blue and/or gray.)
Once more, either strong contrast or color matching is crucial. Selecting a trench coat color that is only slightly different from your job attire is something you should avoid doing. It will appear like you made an effort to match, but you dressed for the dark (or left one item in the laundry for a bit too long).
Finally, when it comes to work, stick to traditional trench hues like khaki, camel, navy, and gray. You may wear a trench coat with any work outfit as long as you keep the color scheme neutral. Probably not the best time to experiment with that exact hue of lime green.
You should choose a classic fit that is just a little bit spacious for work. Pick simple, timeless silhouettes that are close to the body but still allow you enough leeway to prevent your work attire from feeling constricting underneath.
The range of length possibilities is equally extensive, spanning from below the ankle to waist length. Once more, in this case, a happy medium is the ideal choice for work. You really can’t go wrong with a longer length that falls just below the knee. A too-short trench coat will seem too informal and unfinished when worn with a layered business ensemble. Additionally, a long coat will seem sloppy, especially if it is also big. If you stay on the longer end of the mid-length spectrum, you should do well.
4. Be Informal
Trench coats are a terrific way to dress up casual ensembles, in addition to being the ideal piece to combine with smart-casual looks. It is OK to pair your trench coat with black pants, a polo shirt, and either loafers or shoes. Not only can the trench coat complement casual ensembles, but it may also define a casual style by providing structure and visual intrigue. All you want to do is stay away from pairing a trench coat with shorts. If not, you’ll appear to be wearing little more than a trench coat. That should be saved for Valentine’s Day.
When wearing a trench coat with casual attire, you might aim for an oversized fit. While this could seem sloppy with professional attire, a slouchy aesthetic can work well with casual ensembles. However, going too big could veer into messy terrain, so make sure it’s at least partly personalized.
The same is true for length: there are choices. Depending on your ensemble or style, you may choose between a long and a short trench coat; however, shorter trench coats go better with casual outfits, which are often less formfitting than suits and work looks. Roll up the sleeves, knot a loose belt, lift the collar, and go with your day looking effortlessly put together to add a laid-back edge.
5. Think About Colors
use a color for the trench that complements a standout piece in your ensemble or use a contrasting hue to draw attention to it. Additionally, this is a terrific opportunity to play around with a bit more color than you would with formal or professional attire. For individuals with a preference for a maximalist style aesthetic, there are several solutions available: With jackets in hues like bubblegum pink, frosty light blue, and even flamboyant, head-to-toe designs, designers are embracing the rainbow.
6. Combine and Contrast Textures
This is the part for you if you appreciate contrast. Wear a colorful, statement sweater or leather leggings with a classic trench coat in honey, khaki, or beige. Imagine a cobalt blue sheath dress or an emerald-green cashmere sweater. There are countless possibilities. Alternately, pair the trench with neon designer shoes or a cap in a vibrant hue. The bright color will appear even more brilliant against the neutral trench, creating a stylish yet distinctive design. An alternative method is to wear a colorblock coat, which combines sections of a stronger hue with a pristine beige coat.
