So…it was Spring for a hot minute, but we’re back to winter for the time being in the Midwest (and the East Coast too-sending love to my East Coast friends-I hope you have power!!) That’s usually the way it goes around these parts ? I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pull out my trench coat several times now, but I’m excited for the day it becomes the norm, rather than feeling like I’m playing musical coats, reaching for a light jacket one day, and my down puffer the next, haha!
Speaking of, today’s newest Style 101 post is dedicated to JUST that-the trench coat!
If you’re new to the blog, Style 101 is a style advice column where I break down simple rules of getting dressed, and offer inspiration and tips on how to build your best wardrobe and feel more confident getting dressed each morning!
The best wardrobe staples score high marks in both form, and function, which is what makes the trench such a wonderful (and very necessary) item in any woman’s closet. No matter what your personal style, you will find that a trench coat is a perfect edition to your outerwear collection.
The trench coat I own is by London Fog, and it’s the same one you see in every photo below, which are a curated collection of some of my favorite trench coat outfits I’ve posted on the blog over the past year or so! London Fog is a really great brand and they make several different types of trenches in all different colors-beige, tan and black being the most common colors. I prefer the lighter, classic tan shades as I think these are the most versatile, but if you’d prefer black, by all means, choose what feels the most like you!
A few reasons why I love this coat: It has a detachable liner, which really does add a lot of warmth for how thin the coat appears. Speaking of thin, it folds very nicely to fit into a suitcase and doesn’t take up too much room. The hood is also detachable so you can remove it when you don’t need it, but add it back if the weather gets windy or rainy. It’s water resistant (many trenches look like rain coats, but in fact, are not water resistant, so you’ll want to pay attention to the description if that’s a make or break quality for you!)
Shop my favorite trenches
Anddd if you didn’t believe me when I first told you that the trench coat will be one of the most versatile items in your wardrobe, I will now SHOW you ? Scroll below for 7 different ways to style your trench coat for spring, fall and beyond!
7 Ways to Style Your Classic Trench Coat
1. With High-Waisted Jeans and Heeled Sandals:
Top: similar here and here, Jeans: J.Brand Maria Jeans in “Bluebird” wash (run on the small side) Bag: Madewell transport Tote (they have so many kinds and colors, shop them all here!) Shoes: Steve Madden Carrson Sandals (TTS) Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69!
I often wear a variation of this outfit if I’m heading to a brand meeting-it’s also a great outfit for those who don’t work in strict business casual environments but still need to look polished (I.E. Advertising, PR, Sales, etc.) Dark jeans are always more formal, as is a sleeveless shell top which can, again, be dressed up or down! For a more business-like setting, swap jeans for work pants and close-toed pumps! The trench acts as a super polished cherry on top!
2. With Loafers and a Sweater for the Plane:
Sweater: Gibson convertible cowl-neck/off the shoulder sweater, Jeans: Rag & Bone (my exact pair is old but very similar here), Loafers: Sam Edelman (come in lot’s of colors, but I love the leopard print sold here!)Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69!
In both spring and fall, my trench coat is often my outer layer of choice when it comes to travel. It’s lightweight, so it’s great for the plane (and also works as nice blanket!) Pair it with this insaneeellyy comfy tunic sweater (it’s cowl neck AND also converts to off the shoulder-making it perfect for travel because it goes from day to night in a snap! These loafers are also some of my favorites and they are amazing travel shoes. They slip right off and they require no break-in time-they’re so comfy from the get-go! They come in tons of colors as well (the black is a great Gucci dupe!)
3. Over a floral dress:
Dress: LOFT-sold out, but similar springy versions here, here and here. Boots: Splendid Danise Boots (also obsessed with these light taupe knee-high boots!)Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69!
This is a look I actually wore in the fall, but it’s just as easy to re-create for Spring! I think a trench looks so classic and effortless thrown over a pretty floral dress! For a springier twist on footwear, a pair of peep toe or cage booties would be so cute-I love this pair, this pair and this pair!
4. With a beret:
Sweater: c/o Everlane-it’s their cropped cashmere mockneck sweater, which also comes in 13 (yes, thirteen!) colors, and is only $100! They are one of my go-to’s for staple cashmere sweaters, they have so many styles and their prices CANNOT be beat! Beret: Urban Outfitters, comes in so many colors and is such a great steal under $30!Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69! Pants: Halogen ponte pants (yep, same one’s you saw styled four more ways (including some business casual looks!) right over here!) They run TTS and also come in a charcoal grey (which I think I also need…what do you think? ?)
I am ALL about berets this season and wouldn’t you know-they happen to look just DARLING styled with a trench coat ?? I love a good outfit of all-neutrals! I really want this beret in blush for spring too! (Also, I’m wearing this sweater as we speak. It’s the BEST!) Also, these pants are great staples to have in and out of the office year-round!
5. With trousers and loafers:
Sweater: c/o Everlane ($68!) Comes in multiple colors, and also a crewneck version for $55! It’s super soft and runs TTS. Pants: c/o Everlane Italian Go-Weave Easy Pants-also come in black and navy (if you’re looking for more work pants, I also got “The Work Ankle Pant“, which I’ll be styling in a blog post soon, and they’re really cute and flattering on!), Loafers: Gucci Brixton Loafers (Yes, they’re worth the splurge!) Sam Edelman makes a really amazing dupe pair (See above! I have them in leopard print!) Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69! Tote: Madewell Transport Tote
This is a great outfit that can work for so many different occasions, it’s professional enough for work, but cute and stylish enough for a Saturday or Sunday brunch! The pants especially are SO comfy, and they’re super lightweight, so you’ll wear them through the summer too! I also love the look of a striped top or striped sweater layered with a trench-the combination is a nod to classic prep, which Kelly appreciates ? This sweater is also from Everlane (where so many of my sweaters come from) and it’s a great weight-so you’ll wear it on cooler summer days at the beach with a pair of cut offs, too!
6. With pastels and oxfords:
Sweater: Madewell Wearing XS, Runs TTS-I also love this mock-neck sweater in the same pretty blush color! White jeans: Madewell (I FINALLY FOUND AMAZING NON SEE THROUGH WHITE JEANS! HUZZAH! Run TTS!) Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69! Oxfords: c/o Everlane (come in so many colors! Run small and narrow!) Scarf: Madewell-they have so many cute patterns and colors!
I think pastels and neutrals pair so well together-which is probbbaabllyyy why I’m so obsessed with this outfit, yeah? ? I think tan and pastel pink in particular are the perfect combination. These white jeans are my new favorite (I’m also wearing them as I write this ?) and they go perfectly with this faux wrap sweater and my favorite oxfords!
7. With Classic Denim, Silk Blouse, and a Neck Scarf:
Shirt: Everlane (comes in lot’s of colors! Runs TTS!) Jeans: J.Brand Maria Jeans in “Bluebird” wash (run on the small side)-I also love Abercrombie’s high-waisted skinny jeans, which have a similar look! Booties: Dolce Vita “Cassius” booties (on sale for under $100! They come in black and dark grey, too!)-I’ve worn them pretty much everywhere over the past several months. They’re insanely comfortable, and even though they have a bit of a heel, I can walk for miles in them. They’re the perfect city girl shoe. Trench: London Fog-they also have a longer version! (LOFT also has an ADORABLE version as well!) Nordstrom also just came out with one that is B.P. brand for only $69! Scarf: Hermes (you can get lot’s of second-hand Hermes scarves on The Real Real for amazing prices, FYI!) This one is a great budget-friendly dupe though for only $29! This pink one is also adorable!
Last but not least, probably the most classic outfit of all-you probably recognize it from my last Style 101 post, where I shared the formula I use to build a foolproof outfit every time! This one I shot in San Francisco, when I pretty much didn’t take off my trench coat for 4 straight days ? You can never go wrong with jeans, booties, a silk button down, and a neck scarf! (If you’ve learned one thing from me and one thing only, I’m pretty sure it’s this fact, yes?)