Trench Coats: Gearing Up For Spring
My wardrobe is getting a massive clean out this season because I’m bored with my clothes, tired of wearing black and want to move towards owning a smaller, more cohesive wardrobe.
I’ve gone through my coats this week and decided to let go of a leather jacket that has always bugged me. Not because it didn’t fit well but because the brown is too warm-toned for me. I’ve been able to make it work with a scarf but now, I’m just over it. It’s time for someone else to enjoy it.
I also decided to donate my 25+-year-old trench coat. It’s been a great soldier in my wardrobe but it’s beginning to look tired so its time to go.
I’m in no rush to replace my leather jacket but the trench coat is a different story. It was expensive and an investment piece when I bought it. Based on how often I’ve worn it, the cost per wear is probably around 20 cents. A classic trench will always have a place in my wardrobe so I need to find one.
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My old trench coat is black which made it very wearable I don’t want to replace it with another black one. Luckily there are lots of fun colors out there so my options are endless. I’m thinking of navy, gray, taupe or cool beige because a neutral color will be the most versatile. I prefer one without epaulets, storm flaps or extra details up top which will make my shoulders look larger than they are.
Is a trench coat part of your wardrobe?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
My trench is khaki, but roomy enough to layer it with an Eddie Bauer zip sweater (I grew up in Seattle). It was the perfect coat for a Europe trip, went with everything and looked right in style in London and Paris. In reading about other classic pieces I have a question about care, of items that are wool and cashmere, what is the best way to protect them from moths? I’ve lost some nice sweaters and have a wool coat, and I hate the smell of moth repellents but don’t know what else would be effective? please let us know how do you handle this issue.
I’ve lost some to Moths too. It’s important the garments are freshly washed and pressed before your store then. Lavender acts as a repellent too.
I paid almost $1000Cdn for the perfect trench a bunch of years ago — it took me 3 weeks to talk myself into it as I’ve never in my life before or after spent that much money on a piece of clothing (it cost more than my first car!) — & have worn the poor thing almost to death, although it still looks mint. I figure I’m down to about $1.50/wearing. Best investment I’ve ever made. It’s classic, with all the bells & whistles, buttons & flaps, a deep rich olive that turns my hazel eyes the colour of grass, the perfect length to cover my boot tops but not overwhelm me, & a perfect fit. I have a couple of others as well, cheaper lighter weight ones, one tan the other black, both with zip-in linings & removable hoods, which are almost essential here on Canada’s west coast where it can BUCKET rain for days if not weeks on end, often with gale-force winds, making umbrellas useless. I don’t know what it is about a classic trench but they always make me feel well-dressed, especially when paired with good leather boots, shoulder bag & gloves & a warm scarf. I always feel very continental, like an international secret agent or something! Or maybe I’ve just watched way too many spy movies 🙂
It sounds absolutely amazing!! I love that it’s bright you so much joy. These investment pieces are worth every penny
I have a very rich pink trench coat. Love it on a dismal rainy day. It doesn’t have a hood so I carry a mini umbrella in the pocket. The umbrella has pink & yellow flowers on it; it was chosen to not get lost in a crowd of black umbrellas. Although it’s not my favourite, it looks great with the coat.
I bought a Michael Kors tan trench with detachable hood and no heavy lining. It was my starter trench before going full Burberry. But it turned out to be so indispensable to my travels I never could give it up. Turned out I really use the hood, and the lightweight version always works in the shoulder seasons when I travel. I got use to not having to worry about keeping tabs on a designer coat. Now I’m looking for another color just for variety. That coat has worked for every circumstance…a workhorse.