Trench – A.P.C.
Yellow – Burberry, blue – Burberry, green
– Lanvin,
bright indigo – Burberry, purple
– Max Mara, red – Burbearry, raspberry, orange – Burberry
– Lanvin,
bright indigo – Burberry, purple
– Max Mara, red – Burbearry, raspberry, orange – Burberry
Sage green – Wallis, white – Ann Demeulemeester,
pale grey – Moncler,
olive grey – Organic by John Patrick, apricot/lt. blue
– Dries van Noten,
light denim – Derek Lam, grey – Preen, yellow – L.L.Bean
pale grey – Moncler,
olive grey – Organic by John Patrick, apricot/lt. blue
– Dries van Noten,
light denim – Derek Lam, grey – Preen, yellow – L.L.Bean
Trench coat with ruffled hem – Miu Miu,
drawstring hem coat – Acne, san suede waterfall-front coat – Ralph Lauren Black Label, cotton belted coat –
Carven, leather jacket – Preston Knight, beige coat with black leather piping –
Marni,
short waxed cotton jacket – Vince, military style jacket – Gryphon
drawstring hem coat – Acne, san suede waterfall-front coat – Ralph Lauren Black Label, cotton belted coat –
Carven, leather jacket – Preston Knight, beige coat with black leather piping –
Marni,
short waxed cotton jacket – Vince, military style jacket – Gryphon
Metallic brown brocade coat – Christopher Kane, striped coat – Fendi,
printed coat – Etro,
striped coat – Missoni, printed coat – Alexander McQueen, beige
& black striped – Burberry Prorsum, black orange & brown striped –
Burberry Prorsum,
color blocked coat – DSquared2
printed coat – Etro,
striped coat – Missoni, printed coat – Alexander McQueen, beige
& black striped – Burberry Prorsum, black orange & brown striped –
Burberry Prorsum,
color blocked coat – DSquared2
Just ordered a pink trench -hope it works! Seems kinda bright, but am willing to give it a try. thanks.
The key is the fabric: too stiff, it's a box; too limp, it's a bathrobe. I prefer classic neutrals; tried colour but tired of it and one pink trench made me look immense.
Buttons and buckles are worth replacing if plastic.
Thanks, Vivienne! I particularly like the conclusion 'A classic is only classic if it's right for you'. Key point!
My trench is a charcoal grey…but I definitely like some of the interesting cuts in the coats you've featured.
I go with the classics, but all those in such bright colors are fabulous.
Hugs
Tereza
I have three, black with hood for rainy days, beige no ties for work, spring and a cheap but cute bright orange one… I would love a bright blue but the hubs would not be amused :) love your blog and ideas
I don't know–I have my mom's old Burberry (purchased in London about 25 years ago, when the pound and US dollar were par). I've only worn it once (to a funeral) but it was much admired. Perhaps something so iconic works no matter what. I don't look particularly good in beige and the coat is also a bit long.
Let it rain!
I finally bought a classic trench, London Fog, and I love it! So glad I finally decided to get one. Come on over and enter my contest…I really think you would love the book I am giving away!!
Love the way you think. I hate the khaki military trench for all the reasons you listed above. Sadly, it's hard to find high quality in fashion-y cuts/colors. I have a magenta single breasted no epaulettes lovely that I've been wearing for about 12 years now, and people stop me on the street to tell me how much they love the color. It's raining – why add another dreary color to the landscape?
I have a navy wool YSL trench I bought on ebay, and it's one of the few items in my closet I didn't have to have tailored. I agree that double-breasted styles don't look good on all people; some double-breasted coats and most double-breasted jackets don't look good on me. I bought this one because the navy buttons are the same shade as the coat, so it doesn't "read" "double-breastedness" (I like inventing words…). I get complements on this coat all the time; the shape is Very feminine and flattering. I adore all the choices you listed above, makes me want to buy a red or blue coat, maybe even a green or yellow for spring!
i quite agree! while i like the idea of a classic trench, neither khaki nor double-breasted coats look good on me. i do possess a wonderful black single-breasted (long) burberry trench which i acquired in 1985. a great coat, but a bit long for the usages one sees currently.
One of the reasons your blog is one of the five I read every day (I'm very picky) is that you are so perceptive and you think creatively about the style problems we all wonder about — and your solutions are always excellent. ITA with you about the trench coat. I have a single-breasted black one, but the beige double breasted ones are difficult. You provide wonderful options! I'd also like to add that one way to make a so-so or low priced trench coat spectacular is to have your tailor take in the sleeves. My black trench is a very well made London Fog but had atrocious shiny buttons — I replaced them with horn buttons and had my tailor radically slim down the sleeves and now you might mistake it for a Burberry. What makes Burberry trenches so good is in part the slim tailoring, which isn't the case with most ready to wear.
Thanks for this. What other blogs do you read everyday? Share!
Thanks, VO. I never thought of doing that and it makes so much sense:-)
Bravo!! I so agree with your opinion. I have two trench coats, one in a dark denim and one in a lime green, I love wearing them and always get compliments on them!! I even have a cute black and white geometric Spring coat. Great advice!! Kathysue
I'd make a single breasted trench in a dark deep colour or a gem colour. Love the options you've provided. Thanks.
Trench is definately a wardrobe staple! Great post!
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/
Thank you Vivian…..your timing is perfection itself!
I really like the 'trench coat' style, but this years double-breasted style is definitely out for me. There are two or three alternatives that I really like, and the colours are to dye for!!
hugs
I couldn't agree more! Beige is not at all my color, and I look horrible in double breasted jackets or coats. My trench is navy blue and single breasted, I think it looks very nice, streamlined, classic, and simple.
My trench is black and single-breasted, high-waisted, and shorter than a traditional trench. I tried buying a traditional double-breasted coat with all the military details, but it looked awful on me and I had to return it.
When I was in high school, I took a chaperoned trip to Europe. Our teacher (who was very "French" in her style) gave us a list of what to pack. The only acceptable type of coat to bring was a trench coat with a removable lining. That coat served me well on that trip, and for years afterward.
I have the red Burberry you show above and love it! It makes me feel fabulous.
My trench is double-breasted, but it is a mushroomy color and far, far more flattering than beige. I bet there are more who CAN'T wear beige than there are who can.
This trench post brings up what I think of a as a fashion paradox:
The quest for high-quality, versatile wardrobe vs. the flash of a statement piece.
So, would a savvy Frenchwoman buy a memorable trench? Or would she stick to classic colors?
Also, the fashion runways often show pieces that could NOT be classified as versatile.
(see here for an example: http://www.fashionlatest.net/paris-fashion-week-2012.html)
Do the French buy those high-fashion items as part of their highly-selective wardrobe? If so, how do they fit them in?
Thank you for any insights,
Jora
Back again.
I went through my coats this morning trying to cull. And, although I have too many, I haven't been able to decide where to cut.
– stone gray trench, fits well, looks good.
– subtle floral trench, fits well, looks good, includes wool liner
– pale blue rain jacket, hooded, gore-tex, fits well, looks good
– deep teal rain jacket, fits small, but I need to get down to that size for my health
– navy rain coat, , hooded, gore-tex, fits well, looks good
– navy light jacket, mildly weatherproof, fits well
– stone gray jacket, lined, hooded, gore-tex, fits well. Looks rugged
– black wool coat, fits well, looks good
– gray wool coat, short lenght, fits well, looks good
Well, the teal jacket that doesn't currently fit has to go – when you get down to your weight, you have your current jackets altered, or you get a new one. Keeping things that don't fit (unless they're something like vintage couture Chanel) is not a great idea.
Beyond that, determine what your core neutral is going to be. Black, gray, stone, navy? Two of these colors would be great; all four might be too confusing.
Or just keep them all, wear them with joy, and don't worry about buying a new rain jacket for years to come!
There is no "one size fits all" answer to these questions. It would be so much easier for all of us if there were…
My trench is a charcoal grey…but I definitely like some of the interesting cuts in the coats you've featured.
black trench coat women