Product of the week: The trench coat

What is it:

The trench coat is a timeless silhouette that will likely always remain a classic in outerwear. In recent years, however, the coat has taken on new forms, with modernized cuts that have turned what we thought we knew about the trench coat on its head. While many designers have reinterpreted the trench coat in their own ways, experimentation with the look has also found its way into stores where modern trench coats are selling well. Designs range from oversized lapels to alternative fastenings and adjustable shapes that give the well-known model a new twist, pushing it further from its utilitarian origins and infusing it with new desirability for the next generation.

Why you should order it:

A wardrobe staple, the trench coat will continue to return seasonally in the future, albeit with fresh updates and new materials. As a classic garment, the coat appeals to both an older and younger clientele, each with their own take on the look. The traditional version of the trench coat regularly returns to the streets, offering a variant for every season. This type of trench coat will probably never lose its popularity as it has established itself as a classic over the decades. The modern trench coat trend likely emerged as Gen Z is rediscovering previous styles and looking for new ways to translate the look into their own fashion sensibilities. This new take on the trend has given the product a modern facelift, making it more appealing to the younger generation and offering an alternative fashion option to play with.

Where we saw him:

As you might expect, Burberry is not far behind on this trend. The design is at the core of the British brand and featured in the house’s FW22 collection with heavy gold embellishments, but it was also part of the Pre-Fall collection, created in collaboration with Brazilian model Lea T. Fendi also picked up the trend in its men’s collection and presented oversized, cape-like trench coats with classic cuts. Y/Project took an alternative approach, presenting a range of coats with deconstructed cuts and various exaggerated details that the brand is known for. The leather looks for the brand’s FW22 collection, for example, used heavy gathering to deform the signature silhouette.

How to style it:

Basically, the trench coat is a piece of clothing that can stand alone or be combined with other eye-catching pieces to complete an outfit. A simple everyday look can be to pair the coat with a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers or flat boots to create a simple outfit that lets the coat itself take center stage. A sophisticated take on the off-duty look could consist of a leather skirt and loose fitting shirt, completed with tights and knee high boots. The trench coat can also be worn for formal occasions and combines perfectly with two-piece suits and tailored looks. Alternatively, the trench coat can also be worn as a single piece. If the model has a belt and is quite light, you can tie the garment up and tie the belt in a pretty bow to create an alternative to the dress.

The trench coat is a classic silhouette that will always have a place in fashion. It is a seasonal product that allows its wearer to wear it either in a layered look or as an airy trend piece to make it the main part of a look. For men, too, the trench coat remains an essential that never goes out of style.

This article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk. Translation and editing: Barbara Russ