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Affordable Men's Style

The Best Coat of Spring 2012?

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Banana Republic Cotton/Nylon Khaki Trench – $138.60 w/ BRSAVE30 ($198)

Code is good for 30% off your entire purchase online.  Expires Friday 2/10/12

A lot of guys can’t bring themselves to wear a trench coat.  They think they look weird wearing one.  Which is too bad, because trenches help broaden your shoulders and trim up your waist like a great peacoat or topcoat.  Trenches get compliments.  And they also provide much needed protection from, y’know… weather.

You want a trench that’s lightweight, has a bit of poly blended into the cotton so it doesn’t soak up the rain, and fits more like your best suit than a poofy parka.  You’ll also want one that’s long enough to get to mid thigh or close to your knees, but anything past that and you risk looking like you’re about to toss your trench aside to go streaking.

Don’t like the belt?  Take it off.  Or, tie it in an overhand knot behind your back which will give the coat more shape.

After a year hiatus, Banana Republic is back with a lightweight trench that’s pretty close to perfect.  Last spring’s model was decent, but it was all cotton and the fit was… tubular?  For the fall, their trench was all poly.

This season’s trench is much more like the one they had in 2010.  Their fabric is a cotton/nylon blend that moves real well and should shed water.  It has a nice tailored fit off the rack and has all the usual, but not over the top trench details (epaulets, tabs at the cuffs, etc…)  It also, and this is important, looks great with or without the belt.

The biggest knock against the Spring 2010 trench was its less traditional, darker color.  That was more than just fine for plenty of us.  The Spring 2012 seen here is much lighter.  A shade or two lighter than the honey colored London Fog your gramps used to wear.

The nylon appears to cause some slight wrinkling to show up in the fabric, but it’s no big deal.  The hardware is great, the quality feels awfully good, and it’s Banana Republic so it’ll be on sale all the time.

You a fan of trench coats?  Do you feel odd in one?  Leave your take on this classic three-season coat style below.

Comments

  3. I think I’d like it better with lighter brown buttons. Those look almost black and are a bit stark against the tan

  8. Is it me, or does it look a little bulky on Joe’s body? Seems like maybe going size down would help, but I don’t know if that would be too tight. Is tailoring an option?

    I just don’t think the fit is as flattering and “snug” as some of the other coats Joe has posted. I could be wrong though so I want to hear some other opinions.

    Also, I agree with Jason about the buttons.

  9. I’m looking for a navy trench with a zip in lining that is slightly fitted. It seems that navy is pretty hard to come by. I tried a Hilfiger one listed below but the arm holes were set in a bad spot and I couldn’t move at all in it. Anyone had a better experience with other brands? This Banana one looks nice but I would prefer navy and one that has a lining for those crisp rainy days in NYC.

     http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/tommy-hilfiger-coats-performance-rain-trench-with-removable-plaid-lining?ID=586987&CategoryID=3763&LinkType=#fn=COAT_STYLE%3DRaincoat%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D18%26ruleId%3D27%26slotId%3D11

  12. Per the usual, that’s a medium, and I wouldn’t go down to a small because it’d get awfully tight in the shoulders pretty quick.  I thought it fit just fine.

  13. Remember with coats, it’s good to have a little room.  I didn’t have a blazer or sport coat on when I put this thing on, so, maybe that’s why it appears to have a little wiggle room?  It wasn’t poofin’ out though either.

    Sizing down would have been crushing my shoulders.  Might be different for others though, body types differ.

  14. The linked coat doesn’t seem to be the same coat — for example, the hardware you feature isn’t included near the neck on the model picture.

  15. Joe – I’d be curious to see how this jacket looks with a sportcoat or jacket (even a suit) under it? It is good enough quality to get away with on a rainy business suit day or really more for jeans and a button down?

  16. I found this exact coat back in December for $36 at BR. I don’t know why it was marked so low but I jumped on it and I love it.

  17. I’ve been waiting for this to go on sale. Might wait it out a little longer, though. Tried it on, it’s a great trench. BR does really well with their fabrics and stitching. Always quality. 

  20.  Not sure why that’s the case, but the cotton to nylon mix % was the same on the tag in store.  Same goes for the price.  It’s the only trench BR seems to be selling right now.  Maybe they photoshopped that out for some weird reason?  Beats me…

  21. I might be a sucker for trench coats, but i think It’ll be perfect with a suit under it.  Any and all outfits.  Casual, dressed up, whatever. 

  25. I agree, I thought it just looked bulky and the proportions seemed off. It’s a shame, since I like the lighter color. I’m undecided on the buttons. Maybe I’ll have to try it on in person to get a better feel.

  26. Whenever I wear lighter-colored jackets or coats, I feel like I’m wearing a lab coat. I’d have to see this one in person before I bought it.

  27. I kind of like the dark buttons… they help to set it apart from the dozens of London Fogs I’ve seen languishing on thrift store racks.

  30. If you plan on wearing a trench coat in the rain, do not get the zara’s one. It is 100% cotton. you will want a cotton/nylon blend so the rain would slick off. A cotton trench would only soak up the rain and not repel

  31. Tried it on today after work…I’m about 5’11 185 lbs athletic build and I wasnt sure which size to get…either M or L. M is like tailor fit but not that much room for armpit/layering. L is fine but not that great of a fit…

  32.  I bought this coat during the Old Navy/BR/etc… 30% off sale last winter and this thing got me through a really dreary weekend in DC. Rain everywhere but I was dry and looking fantastic. Don’t look for it to give warmth, though. That’s not what it’s made for.

  36. FWIW, many high-end trench coats (Burberry, Aquascutum, etc.) are 100% cotton. They’re just also treated with a waterproofing agent. That being said, I doubt Zara is waterproofing theirs.

  37. Joe – I thought the belt was always supposed to be done with an overhand knot, never buckled, in front. I think buckled looks too uptight/fussy. I also agree with Albert, if it hit just above the knee it would look better. But, i’m 5’6″ so long coats just make me look shorter.