“Timeless staple pieces for the most temperamental seasons of the year.”
The trenchcoat covers all bases: it’s modern and classic, heavy and light, slouchy and chic, suitable for spring and fall. The style has come a long way since the purpose of its initial gabardine design by Thomas Burberry (the Burberry), intended to be an all-weather shield in the trenches of World War I. From looking good on Hollywood’s leading men and movie detectives, it was adopted into chic, flexible day-to-day outerwear by the feminine-menswear tycoons of the late ‘30’s like Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, or Katharine Hepburn, and further canonized by fashion authorities like Audrey Hepburn, Julie Andrews, or Inspector Clouseau, to name only a few.
Thanks to their often muted colors and streamlined shapes, trench coats are staples of versatility — and their waterproof, yet lightweight composition makes them the perfect garment for the upcoming temperamental transition into spring. The women of our passerby community confirm this with a wide variety of suggestions that cover all options, from exorbitantly fabulous to comfortably straightforward. Read on for a series of the most recommended choices.
Burberry
Recommended by Erika Veurink, Laura Reilly, Alexis Badiyi, mercedes de maria genoveva, karolyn pho, Stephanie page, and Katie muirhead
The one that started it all — the quintessential Burberry Chelsea trench. Erika suggests finding an oversized one on eBay, for a tenth of its original price. “Have a tailor take it in at just the right spots so you can wear it with sweaters without feeling bulky.” The RealReal also has a wide variety of Burberry trenches with significant markdowns from retail. Karolyn suggested Burberry’s Camden Heritage Car Coat, a more modern take, and Laura loves her vintage Navy Waterloo trench: ”I've owned mine for years and it’s honestly one of the most instrumental tools in my whole wardrobe. I used to be intimidated by its length and volume, but now those are the things I admire most about it.”
Uniqlo
Recommended by Alexis Badiyi, Claire brodka and Katie Muirhead
If you don’t want to cull TheRealReal or your local thrift store in search of the perfect time capsule coat — or aren’t quite ready to establish a “rotation of one vintage ankle length leather trench, one black classic Giorgio Armani trench and a camel Uniqlo U trench” like Alexis, why not opt for the accessible staple in that list for under $100? Uniqlo offers a completely un-frilled, streamlined basic in two infinitely matchable colors for anyone looking for an easy entry point to their trench coat journey.
Kassl Editions
Recommended by Clémence Polés, Alexis Badiyi, and Laura Reilly
Kassl’s trademark is a self-proclaimed “democratically-cut unisex coat” in four length varieties, with a brand focus of unwinding conventional, gendered dress stereotypes. The result is androgynous, and origami-like. Laura had been “flirting with potentially buying one for multiple seasons. I finally did it, and it's been so much fun! I wear it any excuse I get and always receive compliments on its unique texture.” The best part? If you like this one, you can get it in the three other lengths, all available below.
J. Peterman
Recommended by Anna Z Gray and Claire brodka
Though Anna admits that the trenches J. Peterman “still make look pretty good online”, she is a thrifting expert and found her favorite design for $2 at a Goodwill: “It's a silk, lightweight, ankle length with a belt so it looks almost like a shirt dress.” For that exact model, scour Poshmark. Otherwise, it’s worth noting that Club Vintage and Etsy often crop up with vintage trenches by the brand, too.
Tae Park
Recommended by Clémence Polés
The Burberry with a tangled upgrade. If the Kassl coat was origami, this one is an even purer paper craft, which means it’s as close to wearing a rice paper lantern as you can get. The classic trench’s unique cut and attention to detail make this model stand out from the rest, and we appreciate the 100% cotton fabric as well as straight-forward sizing.
Deveaux New York
Recommended by shiloh zielke
If you’re too Type B for the structured look, Deveaux New York is making trenches as laissez-faire-looking as they come. You’ll find minimal buttons and a streamlined cut that make this the perfect throw-on for those spring to summer transition days. Their draping coats come in every color, if you’re as anti-beige as you are anti-seam.
Aspesi
Recommended by Claire brodka
If you’re looking to shake things up, our Managing Editor Claire Brodka throws more color into the mix with her Aspesi recommendation. These coats are not only bright, but are elevated with incredibly chic patterning and materials, like this yellow plaid Shetland Wool Trench Coat, the brand’s Polka dot extravaganza, or its striking double-breasted silk coat.
J. Crew
Recommended by Clio reynolds
As anyone who’s had to shop for their first office job knows — there’s no staple J. Crew doesn’t offer. Their icon trench delivers on all the key checkpoints and comes with a hood for even the wettest April days. The brand’s more recent addition of a “summer green” laminated linen trench in their Spring collection is as much of a homerun as this cropped trench coat, which we love for its structured French workwear look.
Cos
recommended by pao mao
A Cos trench will be your throw-on-and-go piece through May, with a timeless color, shape, and length, as well as a solid medium price point between the high-end Burberry and more accessible Uniqlo. It’s a worthy investment for multiple seasons: the most challenging part will be deciding which type you are. Unbuttoned, belted, or tied?
More interpretations of this wardrobe staple that you can hold on to for many seasons to come:
Aritzia (recommended by Ashley Mariano)
Banana Republic (recommended by Claire Dauge-Roth)
Sézane (recommended by Sydney Russo)
A.P.C. (recommended by Camilla Marcus)
Dries van Noten (recommended by Alexis Badiyi)
Everlane (recommended by Katie Muirhead)
Cuyana (recommended by Christina Crawford)
Max Mara (recommended by Laura Reilly)
& Other Stories (recommended by Allison van der Hoeven)
Totême (recommended by Alexis Badiyi)
Low Classic (recommended by Clémence Polés)
Header image: still from Torn Curtain (1966), © 1966 Universal Pictures Company, Inc.
Words by Julia Harrison