Classic coats that go way beyond beige
T HETRENCH coat is the perfectlyontrend top layer we all need nowaswe return to offices, schoo l gat es and g oing out. Itwas arguably Christopher Bailey who elevated the trench to iconic statuswith his exquisite rein· ventions ofThomas Burberry's mill· tary raincoat, but now -like d e nim and an LBD- the trench is a mod·
ern staple. Atrench is anA-listers' go-to, with Emilia Fox and Girls' star JemimaKirke seen in magazine
shoots in a trench this month and celebs from Gwyneth Paltrow to the
Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex papped wearing one. Currently, they're so h ot there' s a waiting list for Reformation's lig ht camel"Holland"trench. ForA/W, t h e r e are traditional versions at every price- point, as well as non-traditionaltrenches
in jewel-tones, in shiny patent and with the oversized cut that
remains a key silhouette- all defined by those essential military touches, storm
flaps, buckled cuffs and epaulettes. Leading international d esigner brands, from Alex· ander McQueen to YSLhave traditional trenches - all with terrify
ing price-tags, of course. Most offer non-traditional
ones, too: Burberryhasa trench with d enim pane ls (£2,290) and one in midnight· blue (£1,650 ); a Marnitrench is crafted in khaki (£2,190); the re's black p atent at YSL (£2,365); pale pink at Prada and pillar-box red at Dolce & Gabbana. Find more affordabletrenchesin traditional beige at many brands including M&S (oversized cut and drop-shoulder, £69, or structured by Jaeger, £199); Maj e £379 ;Sezan e £225; Cos£150;Mango£79 andZara £79. Trenches in non-traditional colours include brown at Zara (£99.99); darkgreen at Monsoon and M&S; blue at Reformation and black at manybrand s including Massimo Dutti and Mango. Trenches that stray further from tradition include oversized spots at Zara (£119); pleats at Sandro (£559); Comic-book p rint panels b y Rave Review (£1,280 Match es) and blue denim by Marques Almeida (£495). Purists who b e lieve a trench sh ould be beige and they don't suitbeige should note that ther e are many, manyb eiges so one cou ld suit th em. Then justturnup the collar and push up the slee ves- a cinch ed waist is optional...