Why An Updated Trench Is The Coolest Coat Right Now

Fashion loves a good reinvention, and this year one of our wardrobe’s most mundane items (to my mind, anyway) has been beautifully reimagined for the style lovers among us. No more bland beige or practical camel (unless the piece has been given a directional cut or an unexpected silhouette). This year, trench coats come in a variety of colours, with beautiful embellishments and in contemporary cuts.

Fendi, below, did it best, offering a mint green trench with a floral print and cape-style sleeves. It looked totally fresh and modern but it was still recognisable as a classic trench.

Milanese designer Gabriela Hearst used 2018’s Pantone colour of the year to subvert tradition, sending a trench coat down the runway in the most delicate shade of lilac. This juxtaposition of utilitarianism with femininity created a stunning piece that, again, felt utterly fresh.

High street offerings are just as strong. Pillar box green at River Island, printed at Bimbaylola.com and contrasting fabric at Zara. What was once a pragmatic buy is now a style statement and an expression of your personality. A reworked trench will instantly add a point of difference to your look and demonstrate, firstly, a confidence in your style choices, and secondly, a discreet awareness of what’s going on in the world of fashion. Statement outerwear usually benefits from being paired with an otherwise restrained look. If you’re opting for a strong colour like this River island piece, choose neat tailored trousers and a textured sweater in neutral shades to wear beneath. The bimbaylola coat would work well with dark jeans and perhaps a vibrant red polo-neck. The print is subdued enough that it can take a shot of colour. While I’d wear the Zara piece with a midi skirt to emphasise the directional cut of the hemline.

Bright green belted trench coat, €113 at River Island

Printed trench coat, €96 at Bimbaylola.com

Contrasting fabric trench, €49.99 at Zara