A camel classic, a cropped belted version and an olive wildcard: one editor’s case for the coat that never goes out of style. Trends move faster than ever. A silhouette is everywhere in September and forgotten by spring. Some pieces, though, refuse to follow that cycle, and the trench coat may be the best example of all.
That is the argument Marie Claire fashion editor Lauren K. Tappan makes in the first installment of The Anti-Trend Edit, a new weekly column dedicated to wardrobe staples that resist trend cycles. Her first subject: the trench, and the three versions she wears every fall.
“A classic trench can make even the simplest jeans-and-tee combination feel like an actual outfit,” she writes.
1. The Classic Camel Trench
Tappan’s first pick is Sézane’s Clyde trench in camel, a coat with a cult following. “My favorite detail, though, is the gingham lining, which gives an otherwise traditional design a playful twist,” she explains.
She styles it with layered fitted tops, Madewell wide-leg jeans, Vivaia Mary Janes and a glossy shoulder bag. It is a simple formula: a long, structured coat balances wide denim, and Mary Janes add a feminine, slightly retro touch.
2. The Cropped, Belted Trench
For a sharper silhouette, she chooses Theory’s cropped double-breasted trench, belted at the waist. If you want an alternative, she suggests Aritzia’s Davis Short Trench or Zara’s Short Trench Jacket.
Her styling is office-friendly: a blue button-down, trousers, heeled mules, cat-eye sunglasses and a leather laptop bag. “It’s the kind of outfit I can put on without much thought and still feel good wearing all day,” she writes. A cropped length works particularly well for petite frames and with high-waisted trousers.
3. The Olive Wildcard
Her third trench is a Uniqlo style in olive green, now sold out. For a similar look, she points to Coach’s Lightweight Trench Coat, at $195. Olive is a smart alternative to camel or beige, since it pairs naturally with denim, cream, navy and brown.
She wears it casually with roomy jeans, sneakers and a cardigan, or dresses it up with a cashmere sweater, a satin slip skirt and knee-high boots.
What’s on Her Wish List
Tappan’s wish list leans into burnt orange shades, supple leather and interesting textures, with prices ranging from Gap’s Icon Trench Coat at $100 to Bottega Veneta’s belted leather-trimmed trench at $5,200.
How to Pick Yours
If you only buy one, choose a classic knee-length trench in camel or beige: it works with jeans, dresses and tailoring. If you already own one, a cropped version or an unexpected color like olive or burnt orange will feel new without being a passing trend.
Before buying, check the fit with a sweater underneath, since you will be layering it through fall. Shoulders should sit naturally, and the belt should close comfortably over a knit.
Forget the trend cycle. As Tappan’s column shows, the right trench coat is not a seasonal purchase. It is one you will wear every fall for years.