Wearing a trench coat in 2024 means wearing a part of fashion history. And this historic jacket, known for being timeless, is a particularly wise choice in mid-season periods such as spring and autumn, when on the same day temperatures from 5 to 15°C, cold and windy weather, even rainy, can occur in bright sunshine. .
From British trench coats to Hollywood, where did the trench coat come from?
It all began with the Englishman Thomas Burberry who in 1880 created the first gabardine, a thin, light and waterproof jacket. He filed the patent for his secret waterproof material in 1888, making it the manufacturer of choice for equipping the British Army with waterproof jackets during the First World War. So he creates the first trench coat (“trench coat”) which replaced the Mackintosh (then rubber coat, much heavier and bulkier). It is to these military origins that we owe some emblematic characteristics of the trench coat, such as the shoulder pads (to which elements representative of one’s rank could be added).
The trench coat is also being worn more and more off the battlefield, particularly in Hollywood, as on the actor Humpfrey Bogart in the film Casablanca (1942). It gradually became, in fiction, the jacket of choice for detectives and surveillance police officers. But also mysterious women and/or in conflict with the law like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) or Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). We also owe its popularization to women to Yves Saint Laurent who first reinterpreted it in his own home in 1962. In short, the trench coat is a fashion classic, of military origins, which Hollywood has contributed to making essential. And this, especially in the crucial mid-season period when sometimes it’s sunny and hot, sometimes it’s windy and rainy. All you have to do is find the one that best suits your body type, your desires and your budget.
The most modular: the trench coat with detachable hood by COS
The irony of the original trench coat is that it was a raincoat, but without a hood. Now, today, since we don’t walk around in a military helmet every day, maybe we wouldn’t say no to a nice hood. In any case, this is what COS (the high-end and minimalist brand of the H&M group) offers with this trench coat model with detachable hood, all in a beige that suits all skin tones. Apart from this particularly functional eccentricity, we find most of the codes of the classic trench coat: midi length (below the knee), shoulder pads, raglan sleeves, double breasted, buckles around the wrists. In short, everything you need so that it doesn’t go out of fashion and stays with you for years. Ranging from sizes XXS to L, it is made of 77% cotton and 23% recycled polyamide (recycled nylon).
The most inclusive: the trench coat from 34 to 52 by Make My Lemonade
For years now, the ethical and made in Europe French brand Make My Lemonade, founded by Lisa Gachet in 2015, has been renewing its Raoul trench coat. A classic that has already demonstrated the timeless character of its design, even if it has undergone some improvements, such as the addition of a very practical internal pocket. We like itIt’s available in pink, red or even grandpa square (pictures that we imagine loved by grandparents), but it is in the tobacco shade that remains the most classic. But it’s up to you to choose the color that best matches your idea of a good basic! And we love that it extends from size 34 to 52, in its soft, light and elastic canvas of 68% recycled polyester, 29% Ecovero viscose, 3% elastane, all Oekotex certified and made in Portugal.
The most original: the trench coat by & Other Stories
If some people fear wearing a trench coat, it is also for fear that it will slim down their figure. However, if you are a plus size, the belt allows you to cinch in your waist if you wear it closed. Or wearing it open lengthens the silhouette thanks to its midi length (below the knee). But if you are still not convinced of the classic length, you can always opt for a short and lighter version of the double-breasted suit. It all creates a minimalist version of the trench coat, which shorter people may particularly appreciate. In 100% cotton, sizes XS to L, this cropped trench-inspired jacket from & Other Stories illustrates this perfectly and promises to be timeless.
Finally, let’s remember that these are typically the type of jackets that are easily found on second-hand sites like Vinted, LeBonCoin, Depop or even Vestiaire Collective, as well as in thrift stores. Especially if you are looking for a vintage Burberry model, the ultimate classic.
Listen to Apéro des Daronnes, Madmoizelle’s show that aims to break down taboos on parenting.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
