Back to Basics: The Trench Coat

Readers, today we offer you the start of yet another blog series. [Elizabeth believes that it is not really considered a series unless it occurs at a regular interval. Katie 2 disagrees. In reality, it probably doesn’t matter.] We want to talk to you about those basic pieces that we come back to again and again that are the foundation of any working girl’s wardrobe. We want to show you how to wear basic a bunch of ways and where to find them (In this post Katie 2 said you should invest in classic pieces  so they last, and Katie 2 knows what she's talking about. When it comes to the pieces we feature in this series, we believe you should invest in the best you can afford.) Because we want to be realistic when it comes to the advice we give in this blog, you will see us use the basics we feature in this series again and again (take THAT stupid bitchy bloggers who wear something once because they got it c/o and then never wear it again/dumb bitches who wear something  super trend and "spend" $500 on it and then it is never seen again!). 

The first in our Back to Basics Series: the trench coat (it’s October, what did you except??). [Katie 2 would like to take this moment to let everyone know that she is a recovering trench coat addict. Currently, she only owns 1, but there was a time when there were seven trench coats hanging in her closet. And that was when she lived in South Carolina and there was no such thing as trench coat weather. It has been a long road, but she has made a lot of progress.]

So why is a trench coat a great basic that you should always have in your closet? Utility. It is the perfect weight to wear in both the spring and fall, it protects you from the rain, and adds style and sophistication to any look. Plus, classic shape trench in a classic natural color really does with any outfit. If you’re only going to buy one, we probably have to recommend the classic natural. [But really, why only buy one? There are so many amazing options out there!]  Katie 1 is going to jump in and admit that she owns two trench coats – a classic tan Burberry and a fun red Burberry, both pictured below (also check back here for a "look for less" post on how to get a classic Burberry trench for less). 

Things to consider when buying a trench coat: most importantly, fit. Truth: trench coats come in a variety of shapes. Sure, we typically think of a classic tan double-breasted coat that hits just above the knee; however, not everyone looks good in a double-breasted coat. Which is why single-breasted trenches exist (and they are actually much more flattering on those of us who are blessed in the chest area). Why are we telling you this? Because we want you to pick a trench that you’re going to wear forever that fits you beautifully. Another things to consider? Color. Not everyone wants a tan trench coat and while tan is the gold standard when it comes to trenches, there are other classic colors that you may want to consider such as red, black, or navy. 

So… what trench coats are we loving?  Glad you asked! Here are our recommendations at varying price points:

Frugal (less than $150)

Yes, this Land’s End trench is technically $159, but Land’s End literally always has a coupon code for at least 20% off, so this trench is well in the frugal category. This is about as classic as it gets, available in a wide variety of sizes, plus it’s Land’s End so the quality will be top notch. (You should already know all about our love for Land's End.)

The Merona line at Target (RIP!) always had solid trench coat offerings at a really good price. We’re hopeful this A New Day trench carries on that tradition as it’s not a bad option for $44.99 

Confession, Katie 1’s first trench coat was from the Gap and it was amazing. At $56 this trench appears to be a good option.

The entire world seems to be talking about Everlane, the transparent company that only makes a few things but makes them well. We have never tried anything from them, but a trench coat for $138 that comes in 3 colors might be just what we need to take the plunge.

Mid-line ($150 - $350)

Yes, the quality has been iffy lately, but provided that J.Crew has its shit together, this Icon Trench Coat is one of the best for the money. (Rumor has it J.Crew is getting their shit back together.)

We’ve always been pleased with the quality of Lauren Ralph Lauren. The items are classic, at a good price point, and hold up well.  This trench appears to tick all of those boxes. 

While we’re at times on the fence about Calvin Klein’s workwear offerings, the quality of his outerwear cannot be beat (seriously, Katie 1 has a Calvin Klein peacoat that she bought in high school that she still wears. She graduated in 2002).  Keeping that in mind, we really love this option.

All the cool girls seem to be shopping at Club Monaco. We blame Pippa Middleton and that one time she wore a shirt from the brand. When we checked their website, they had literally a ton of options that all fit into our trench category in a variety of colors, lengths, and detail. We can't pick just one, so just head over there and check it out. 

You’re going to have this forever so you might as well splurge ($350 and up)

The holy grail of all things trench? Burberry. This Burberry Sandringham Mid-Length Heritage Trench Coat is AMAZING and well worth the $1,795 price tag because it will never go out of style. The Sandringham is available in both mid-length and long lengths. 

If you start looking, other Burberry offerings (from the Heritage Collection): the Kensington for a classic fit and the Chelsea for a slim fit.  

We also love this more budget friendly Burberry option. 

Here’s an option that’s not Burberry (it’s Armani btw) 

We love this L.K. Bennett trench as well! (Who are we kidding? We love all things LK Bennett.)