Ask A Woman: Drenched in a trench
If you’ve got a question that needs the female treatment, chances are you’re not the only one who wants to ask it. Beth is our source for the answers. From opinions on men’s style to decoding the sometimes mysterious ways of women, she’ll take on a different question every Thursday. And don’t worry, your identity will be protected too. Click here to get to know Beth, then get in touch with her by sending your question to: askawoman@dappered.com
Hey Beth,
Its been raining a lot recently and I have been mulling over a light trench coat purchase. Do you have recommendations for color and design (double breasted, belted, etc..) that would be versatile enough for the weekends, but still work appropriate? Are there considerations I should make for my height (5′ 8″) and build (less than athletic, but not slim either). Also, what are your views on hooded trench coats? Major no-no? Or is this one of those cases were utility begets style?
Best,
Josh
Hi Josh,
I LOVE A TRENCH. All the coolest people wear trenches: Inspector Gadget, Princess Kate, my friend Jean when she met her boyfriend at the airport–with nothing on underneath, the one-armed man in The Fugitive…wait a minute, I seem to have gone off track. Anyway, everyone looks good in a trench coat, so I’m glad you asked about it, Josh.
As with everything (I feel like a broken record), fit and cut are key. Trenches are available in different lengths–mid-thigh, at the knee, shin-length–but I think the best look is above the knee. Longer-length trenches seem to cut people in half and make them look like Danny Devito. To figure out how the trench will hit your body, you’ll want to try on coats in-store when available, or make sure you get free shipping and free returns when ordering online, or take note of the from-the-shoulder measurement if provided.
The Trench Spectrum. From traditional to not-so-much: Ralph Lauren – $170 w/ SHINE, Banana Republic – $225, London Fog – $67.99 w/ SHINE, Alfani Red – $71.99 w/ SHINE
What’s nice about turning to classic items like the trench coat is that they’re almost always appropriate. Going to work? The trench works. Happy Hour? The trench won’t let you down. Running errands? The trench likes the grocery store. So I think if you choose a trench coat in a classic cut and color, you’ll be satisfied with it for years to come. It’s really an investment piece– which is good because trenches tend to run pretty pricey. Wowzers!
-Beth
Got a question for Beth? Send it to: askawoman@dappered.com
So your friend Jean…. interesting
Also, in agreement re: double breasted above the knee. I received a below the knee, single breasted as a gift and it looks completely ridiculous on me. When I put it on, feels like I am wearing a duffel bag.
I bought a navy trenchcoat recently. Except for the color (the only color left, but my personal favorite anyway), it would be Beth-approved.
Also think about the type of weather that you will be wearing it in.I have an above the knee lightweight trench that works surprisingly well in my mild and rainy (but not torrential) climate. I also have a long heavy weight trench that gets almost no wear because it’s suited more for heavy rain/snow or a really windy place.
The full-length coat also makes it a little awkward for me to get into my car and sit down.
The coat should be double-breasted. You really begin to lose the flavor and structure of the trench coat and start looking like you’re just wearing a bathrobe if you go single-breasted. The length should hit somewhere between knee and mid-thigh. Color is really optional. A khaki-colored trenchcoat is obviously the most classic, but a darker color like black or navy will look a little more modern and a little less Inspector Gadget-ish.
Basically, you want your trench coat to look like a trench coat and not like a duster.
I’ve always like the look of pairing a trench coat with a fedora, especially if it is a lighter rain or you don’t have far to walk, say from an parking spot near the building and there is no point in opening an umbrella in the short distance. Heck, even if it is a heavy rain, the fedora will still look stylish underneath an umbrella.
Henry Bogart had the right idea
http://pqliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/130-091humphrey-bogart-posters1.jpg
I would like to offer this as an example of why single-breasted can also look great:
http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/the-ipcress-file.jpg
Classic!
the single brested unbelted trench kiiiiinda looks like an over-glorified lab coat, HOWEVER if it suits your style go for it!
So black wasn’t even mentioned…?
Henry Bogart… the lesser-known brother of Humphrey and star of such forgotten classics as Casanegra and The Antarctican Queen.
Hey now. Yesterday I put elbow patches on a “vest”: http://dappered.com/2012/10/the-wont-be-missed-list/ We’ve all had some brain spark plug misfires.
Has anyone tried Uniqlos trench? I’ve had my eye on that lately.
BR trench is $169 till 10/28 with the code BRSHOP25
I agree with a comment below in saying that pairing a trench coat with a fedora. It looks so classy and stylish. Thanks for all the great advice on trench coats!! It will definitely come in handy when I go shopping for a new one this year.