What it is:
The trench is a classic silhouette that will likely always remain a staple
in the outerwear category, however, recent iterations of the coat have seen
it take on new forms, in modernised structuring that have flipped what we
know about the style upside down. While many designers have reinterpreted
the trench in their own way, experimenting with the look has also begun
making its way into the high street, as more and more retailers introduce
their version of the contemporary trench. Designs can include everything
from oversized lapels to alternative fastenings and adjustable shaping,
each bringing a new meaning to the well-known style, moving it further away
from its utilitarian origins and giving it a new life for the next
generation of shopper.
Why you’ll want it:
The trench coat is an outerwear silhouette that is a firm wardrobe staple
and will continue to return on a seasonal basis, albeit with fresh updates
and new twists. As a classic garment, the coat style is a one that
resonates with both an older and younger buyer group, who each have their
own take on the look. The traditional version of the trench is a one that
regularly returns to the high street, providing an outerwear option for
every season. This style of trench is likely to never wane in popularity,
as it cemented its place as the choice of outerwear for decades. Meanwhile,
the contemporary trench trend has likely come about as Gen Z continues to
revamp past styles and look for new ways to translate the look into their
own sense of fashion. This new version of the trend has given the style a
modernised face lift, making it more attractive to the younger generation
and giving an alternative, fashion-forward option to play with.
Where we’ve seen it:
As expected, Burberry didn’t stray far away from the trench, a design that
holds a strong place in the British brand’s heritage. While the coat was
present in its most recent AW22 collection, complete with heavy gold
embellishments, it was also a part of its pre-fall collection made in
collaboration with Brazilian model Lea T. Her take on the trench involved
deconstruction and bringing together contrasting materials to create a
patchwork look with layered elements. Fendi also took on the trend in its
menswear collection, presenting oversized, cape-like trenches with
clean-cut tailoring. Taking a more alternative approach, Y/Project has
offered up a series of discombobulated coat styles, some with mismatched
cuttings and others with various exaggerated details. Leather looks for the
brand’s AW22 line involved heavy gathering to disform the typical
silhouette, further enhancing the modern take.
How to style it:
The trench is essentially a standalone outerwear piece that can be the
statement in itself or can align with other stand-out pieces to bring an
outfit together. A simple look for casual daywear can include pairing the
coat with denim jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers or low-heeled ankle boots,
for a simple outfit that puts an emphasis purely on the coat itself. An
elevated version of the casual look could involve the use of a leather
skirt and loose fitted shirt, complete with tights and knee high boots. The
trench coat can additionally function as a formalwear piece, with the
potential to pair perfectly with fitted two-piece suit combos and tailored
garments. In a more alternative route, the trench can also often be used as
a standalone item. If the style comes with a belt option and is quite
lightweight, fasten the garment up and tie the belt in a neat bow to create
an alternative to the dress.
The trench coat is a classic silhouette that will always hold a place in
fashion. It is a seasonless style which gives the wearer the ability to
either layer up or sport a breezy outerwear piece, making it a great
investment item to add to just about any shopper’s wardrobe. Its current
modernisation comes down to younger generations looking to twist up classic
trends into ones that fit their contemporary fashion outlook, which means,
when approaching the trench, there is more to play with.
