Hello my fellow fashion obsessed followers, today we’ll be covering how to wear a trench coat for work. I understand that office dress code can vary so we will be covering everything from a more casual trench coat outfit to formal attire. Once you learn the etiquette for wearing trench coats, styling a trench coat will not longer be trouble.
How Should a Trench Coat Fit a Woman?
A trench coat is a universal piece of outwear that suits everyone. However, for proportions sake we could take it a step further and assess what looks best on a petite or in contrast a tall woman. For petite women it is often best to choose a cropped trench, now this does not mean that long trench coats should now be thrown out the wardrobe. A cropped trench coat will simply look more proportionate on a petite woman, it will hit perfectly on the hip line thus elongating your legs whereas a long trench coat can look slightly too oversized and cut off your legs at an unflattering height. For our tall girlies long trench coats are the way to go as it elongates your body and seemingly adds height and stature.
What is the Etiquette for Trench Coats?
First and foremost when purchasing a trench coat our priority is to style said coat in a suitable manner, following trench coat etiquette. Rule number one, A trench coat should be 2 inches longer than a dress. Rule number two, you must undo the stitching on the pockets and on the tail of the coat so that you do not inhibit the coats movement. Rule Number three, a trench coat should have a loose fit, with enough space to fit a shirt and a sweater so that when styling a trench coat you can create a warm layered outfit.
People often find themselves asking when to wear a trench coat, to that we say it best to be used during transitional seasons such as Spring and Autumn. Learn to tie an elegant knot, for inspiration check out this tiktok video hack by Katarina.
What Should I Look for in a Trench Coat?
Traditional trench coats are made from cotton gabardine, the material used by Burberry for their trench coats. Gabardine is a twill fabric that is durable, water resistant and thick. Do not go for trench coats that say they are 100% cotton, although a high content of cotton usually indicates that an item is of high quality, for trench coats this is not the case. 100% Cotton trench coats are not water repellent and they are prone to creasing so always look out for the gabardine composition. A storm shield along the front and back of the jacket adds an element of elegance to a trench coat. Look out for the buttons of the coat, ensuring that they are sowed on properly for durability.
What is the Best Color for a Trench Coat?
Look for a trench coat with a light sheen to it, this usually makes the trench coat look more expensive. Stick to neutral colors such as a beige or brown trench coat so that you can easily style a casual trench coat outfit. If you are clumsy stick to dark colors, a deep navy blue or black. This year the trending color seems to be black or chocolate brown.
How to Wear a Trench Coat for Work
How to Wear a Trench Coat for Work; Outfit 1
Taking inspiration from the lovely orlaithmelia_, she did an amazing job at putting together a casual trench coat outfit for work. I decided to swap out the white denim for a pair of straight leg pants to keep up with office dress code. If you are ever questioning how to wear a trench coat, head over to Orlaith’s instagram page that will provide you with an abundance of inspiration.
- Day Birger Et Mikkelsen, Sierra roll-neck wool jumper
- Meotine, Bobby cotton trench coat
- Osoi, Leather Mini Toni Shoulder Bag
- Aeyde, Zoe leather point-toe ankle boots
- Reiss, Crepe Wide Leg Trousers
- Reiss, Leather Square Hinge Belt
How to Wear a Trench Coat for Work; Outfit 2
_katiepeake is on my top ten fashion influencers list, her outfits are the embodiment of elegance and she does an amazing job at styling a trench coat. If you are keen to wear a beige or light colored trench coat consider styling it with a fuzzy striped jumper and two tone ballet flats. The simplicity and clean cut silhouette makes this the perfect casual trench coat outfit for work.
- Massimo Dutti, Beige Loose Fitting Trench Coat
- Massimo Dutti, Cashmere Striped Crew Neck Sweater
- DeMellier, The Midi New York
- Amazon, Skinny Leather Belt
- Reiss, Pull On Trousers
- Steve Madden, Ellison 166 contrast-panel leather pumps
How to Wear a Trench Coat for Work; Outfit 3
hannajanic is another fashion influencer to keep an eye one, I would describe her style as a combination of women’s street style and business casual chic. She is another go to influencer if you need guidance as to how to wear a trench coat. Learning how to wear a trench coat for work does not need to be frustrating when you have Hannah as a styling mentor.
- Claudie Pierlot, Long Navy Blue Trench Coat
- ME+EM, Ribbed Sweater Vest
- Maje, Embossed leather and lion horsebit belt
- M&S, Faux Leather Cross Body Bag
- Hobbs, Abigail Wide Trousers
- Dune, Highest Leather Contrast Ballet Pumps Cream
How to Wear a Trench Coat for Work; Outfit 4
_katiepeake Appears on this list for the second time and with good reason! Her casual trench coat outfits are simply top tier. If your office is lenient with footwear, opt in for a comfortable pair of Adidas Samba Sneakers, If you need more inspiration as to How to Style Adidas Samba Sneakers check out this article where we break down our top 6 influencer inspired outfits.
- Meotine + Reiss, Mid Length Trench Coat
- & Other Stories, Oversized Turtleneck Merino Jumper
- Saint Laurent, Oval Buckle Thin Belt in Smooth Leather
- Adidas, Samba Sneakers
- Abercrombie & Fitch, Sloane Tailored Pant
- Bally, Layka Leather Top Handle Bag In Light Brown
How to Wear a Trench Coat for Work; Outfit 5
The Brown trench coat is currently all the rage, though styling a trench coat such as the examples above is quite complicated. vladislava.r shows a great example of how to wear a trench coat along with a maxi skirt. This is another simple yet sophisticated example as to how to wear a trench coat for work.
- River Island, Brown Double Collar Belted Trench Coat
- Ralph Lauren, Long Sleeve Turtleneck Outfit
- STAUD, Mini Moon Handbag
- BOA, Mid Rise Effortless Maxi Skirt
- Tony Bianco, Fantasy Heeled Boot
I hope this article inspired you and that you are able to use this article to learn how to wear a trench coat for work. If your office dress code permits it, try experimenting and leaning into a casual trench coat outfit for a more versatile look.