Why everyone should wear a trench coat (and four you might like)
For the past few weeks, I've been walking around the city repeating the same mantra: "Why is it so f*cking cold? It's April! I'm still wearing my winter coat! This is obscene!"
Then today, it is 70 degrees in New York. I'm not complaining (because that would be ridiculous) but I am filled with a tiny feeling of anxiety and dread. What if there's no spring at all? What if the weather skips right to summer? What if I never get to wear my spring jacket?
The thing is-and this might seem like the lamest concept some of you have ever heard of, but-last year I fell in love with a coat. Specifically a trench coat, specifically an inexpensive trench coat from Uniqlo that every fashion-pretentious woman I know thought was super-expensive and said so. "Oh, Jennifer, I love your coat. Is that from Blahbety-Expensive-Designer-Blah?"
This coat changed everything about my spring wardrobe. It was the perfect length (right at the knee) to wear with dresses and mini-skirts and trousers. It gave me a waist even on the days when I felt really bulky. It looked good with tights and ballet flats and bare legs and boots. On the weekends, I'd throw it on over wide-legged jeans, Chucks, a t-shirt, and a pretty gauzy scarf and feel like my outfit was perfect.
You need to understand, this whole trench-love caught me by surprise. I have a kind of bohemian, oh-that's-clean-let's-put-it-on style-I never thought I'd wear something like this. But the thing I found out about a trench coat is it's classic and neutral in the best possible way. Meaning, you buy it and it totally elevates everything else you have going on, without changing your inherent look. I hate to even utter these overused fashion words, but in this case, they're true: A trench coat makes you look polished. And sometimes, that is the most valuable fashion quality of all.
If you are going to invest in this kind of jacket, find one that's fitted, with a fabric that doesn't bulk up on you, and one that has some detailing (mine from Uniqlo has faux leather buckles, for example and a vented back).
Here are a few I am really loving this season:
Kenneth Cole modern trench coat, $200
I love the color (though it also comes in black and khaki), love the high-waist, love the cuffs.
Victoria's Secret belted trench, $108
The big collar has a cool 70s feel and there's something about the 3/4length sleeves that's breezy and spy-girl like.
Mike & Chris Clarence trench, $300
Oh. Man. I could form a serious stalker-ish obsession with this coat. It's classic, but the big tie in the front makes it fun. Woo.
Forever 21 Sherlock trench, $32.80
It's a little offbeat, but I am still absolutely crazy about this checkered jacket with the rolled up sleeves.
