April Showers Preparedness

 
A trench coat is a key element of the professional woman’s wardrobe.  It is the correct outerwear for suits, dresses and other work-wear when the temperature is between 55 and 70 degrees, and it confers elegance upon casual ensembles including jeans and sneakers.  While the words “trench coat” probably conjure a general picture in your mind, the actual execution can vary significantly (through cut, material and length) and so, in a perfect world, you might ultimately own more than one to serve in specialized roles.  But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s discuss First Principles.

1. The most versatile length is approximately knee-length (just above, below or directly at the knee).  A trench coat that comes to mid-thigh can be very chic, but it doesn’t have gravitas;  it’s more a jacket than a coat.
Pink Burberry
Burberry London Double-Breasted Trench Coat in Ice Pink
JCrew Icon Trench Coat
JCrew Icon Trench Coat; a little short, but can be worn credibly with a skirt or dress

2. Although the classic trench coat is double-breasted, I prefer a  single-breasted coat because it may be worn gracefully open or closed.  It’s hard to wear a long, double-breasted coat open.  Also, double-breasted coats have (or should have) at least two inside, concealed buttons — in addition to a column of exterior buttons — to ensure that the placket of the coat lays flat, and that’s a lot of buttons to deal with several times a day.
See by Chloe Jacket in Beige
See by Chloe Jacket in Beige
Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Cotton Trench in New Beige
Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Cotton Trench in New Beige; would look better open if the model were wearing something nicer

3.  Your trench coat should be roomy enough to fit snugly over a fitted jacket or thick sweater, but not so big that it looks oversized when you are only wearing one layer (a dress or skirt and blouse) underneath. I am not a fan of the trench coat with a flannel lining that can be removed;  it looks bulky when the lining is in and baggy when it is not.

4. I like a belted trench coat, but the belt should be worn knotted (in a jaunty square knot) and not buckled.
Jaunty square knot, past-season Tory Burch trench coat
Jaunty square knot, past-season Tory Burch trench coat
Not quite as jaunty a knot as mine -- but manufactured in the U.S. by Nanette Lepore!
Not quite as jaunty a knot as mine — but this charming Mesmerizing Trench by Nanette Lepore is manufactured in the United States!

5. The classic colors for a trench coat are beige, putty, khaki, and British tan;  surely every skin tone will be flattered by at least one of these choices. Keeping in mind that the trench coat should be worn with casual wear, too — you may want to consider dark blue if you frequently wear khakis.  A khaki coat with khaki pants is a lot of khaki, where an inky blue coat looks smart with khakis and jeans.  If you have more than one trench coat, black or off-black can also be very beautiful. If your wardrobe is almost exclusively neutral colors, you may consider red or scarlet — but only at a shorter length.

Burberry navy
Burberry London Double-Breasted Trench Coat in Ink; note the beautiful pockets
Burberry Brit Single Breasted Pleated Back Jacket in Ink Blue
Burberry Brit Straight Fit Pleated Back Jacket in Ink Blue
Burberry Double Breasted Trench Coat in Crimson
Burberry Brit Double-Breasted Trench Coat in Crimson

6. The material will dictate how dressy the coat is: cotton twill is generally casual, a crisp poplin or cotton blend (cotton with nylon, elastine or other synthetic fiber that creates a slight sheen) is dressier.  Wool gabardine is dressy, beautiful, and expensive.

7. If you find a beautiful coat, perfect in all respects except its buttons, you shall find replacement buttons for it and have a tailor sew them on for you.  I like horn buttons for a trenchcoat.
Lone horn button
Lone horn button
Pride of horn buttons
Pride of horn buttons

8. If you buy a light colored trench coat, be certain to have it cleaned regularly and ask your cleaner to pay particular attention to the insides of the collar and cuffs which will get quite dirty.  Oil from your hair and neck (precious bodily fluids) as well as hair products and sunscreen can soil the inside of the collar and neck, in particular — so you may want to wear a lightweight silk scarf with your coat (tucked inside the collar) to provide a little extra protection. [1]

Anna Coroneo Paris Love Locks scarf
Anna Coroneo Paris Love Locks scarf
Echo Vintage Geo scarf (which is not actually vintage)
Echo Vintage Geo scarf (which is not actually vintage)
Ann Taylor Graphic Floral scarf
Ann Taylor Graphic Floral scarf
Echo Polynesian Paisley scarf
Echo Polynesian Paisley scarf

9. When you have worn your trench coat for years, you may find the collar is stained or the cuffs are frayed.  Your clever tailor can turn the collar for you and fix the cuffs.  Trust me;  my clever tailor has done both.

10. Ironically a trench coat doesn’t provide much protection against rain.

The Trench Coats: Burberry Double-Breasted Trench Coat in Ice Pink; JCrew Icon Trench; See by Chloe Jacket in Beige or Steel Grey at YOOX; Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Cotton Trench at Shopbop; Nanette Lepore Mesmerizing Trench Burberry London Short Tailored Trench in Ink; Burberry Brit Straight Fit Pleated Back Jacket in Ink Blue; Burberry Brit Double-Breasted Trench in Crimson

The Scarves: Anna Coroneo Paris Love Locks Scarf; Echo Vintage Geo Print Scarf; Ann Taylor Graphic Scarf; Echo Polynesian Paisley scarf

2 thoughts on “April Showers Preparedness”

  1. Robin, I asked The Directrice, “So why are they called trench coats, anyway?” Google reveals all: “The founder of Burberry, Thomas Burberry, created the modern raincoat early in the twentieth century, after he devised a new, breathable water-resistant fabric called gabardine. A trench coat is a type of raincoat that was created by Burberry for officers of the British Royal Army during World War I.” Okay, but if they’re a type of raincoat, why don’t they…? And it’s hard to imagine them doing much for anyone in a trench. Clothes are mystifying.

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