The Best Coat of Spring 2012?

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.