THE ART OF STYLING THE TRENCH COAT

Inspector Gadget and Kendall Jenner live two very different lives. And while they'll never meet, one thing eternally bonds them: the trench coat – an item of clothing you can always rely on aesthetically and functionally. This simple jacket has been protecting us in a downpour for decades, and it also complements most outfits, making it the go-to when confronting the coat rack. But these days, there are thousands to choose from and hundreds of trend connoisseurs telling you how to style a trench coat. To save you from a doomscroll in the jacket section, we chatted to our Styling Manager Will Johns to give us advice on three scenarios and the trenches we’d wear for each. Keep reading for your guide to mastering the art of everyone’s most reliable jacket.

A trench is often thought of as a casual coat. But that, dear reader, is where you’ve been going wrong. Allow us to introduce the night-out trench: a chic alt to your usual tailored outerwear. Thanks to the lightweight fabric and waist tie, trench coats emulate the sultry night robe – which makes them a perfect complement to delicate eveningwear. ‘Wear yours open or loosely tied over a lace romper or slip,’ says Will. ‘The softness of lingerie contrasts with the coat’s structure, while tights and a barely-there heel add a little extra fashion authority.’

 

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN longline water repellent trench coat in chocolate, £68
ASOS DESIGN lace trim satin short in brown, £22
Pull&Bear Fitted shirt with pleats in white, £22.99
Calzedonia Sheer socks in black, £8.99
Bershka Kitten heel slingback shoes in burgundy, £29.99

If you’re wanting to amp up your daily ensembles without much effort, a trench coat outfit is the one. The best trench coats are understated enough to let your usual formula work its magic – and if you’re heading out feeling a tad overdressed, a trench will tone things down without impacting your outfit’s edginess. ‘Close the trench fully over wide-leg tailored trousers for a structured silhouette,’ says Will. ‘Ground the look with a black point heel and oversized aviators. When you wear it done up like this, your outerwear becomes the hero rather than an afterthought.’

 

GET THE LOOK: 
ASOS DESIGN premium suede trench coat in dark olive, £250
Stradivarius tailored wide leg trousers with seam detail in brown, £29.99
Good American weightless turtleneck in black, £77
Bershka Embossed high-heel ankle boots in black, £39.99
Kaiia exclusive smoky lens curved aviator sunglasses in brown and gold, £12

Synonymous with effortless everyday chic, the trench coat has become a rotation mainstay for stylish women the world over. From Paris to London and Berlin, the combo of jeans, a white T-shirt and beige trench remains formidable – especially when paired with an espresso and dark sunglasses. When shopping around for your daily coat, consider quality and colour first. Structured, heavyweight pieces with unique details (like a back vent or a wrap at the waist) will ensure your take feels fresh. Then it’s time to layer. Will advises a more sporty-approach if you’re wanting to lean into trends. ‘Wear yours over a heavyweight tracksuit or techy trainer like the Salomon XT-6. The mix of classic tailoring and relaxed streetwear keeps everything refined.’

 

GET THE LOOK: 
ASOS DESIGN longline trench in stone, £70
Salomon XT-6 unisex trainers in vanilla ice, £165
Pull&Bear Barrel fit sweatpants in grey marl, £25.99
Vero Moda t-shirt in white, £12
ASOS DESIGN crew neck cardigan with raglan sleeve detail in buttermilk, £26