What started out in life as a piece of military apparel during WWI, later adopted as a practical overcoat to protect civilian men and women from the rain, has established itself in recent years as a classic icon of style. According to style.com in “Anatomy of a Trench Coat,” the humble trench “has outlasted every trend and has won over every new generation.”
Trench Coat Trend
The trench coat is getting a modern makeover, with young women wearing trenches that are transparent, patterned or wet look – short and long. Modern twists include pleated or volumnous skirts, short, wide sleeves, and a variation in fabrics.
Whilst there is no disputing the elegance of the classic trench; cuts and fabics change from year to year, giving a nod to whatever trend is seasonally in favor. A current trend in trenches it the evolution of strong color. From traditional neutral beiges and khakis to blacks, hot reds and bright whites.
The Seductive and Sexy Trench Coat
The trend coat has evolved not just as a classic wardrobe piece, but has somehow earned the reputation of being sexy. Whilst initially created by Thomas Burberry for soldiers in the First World War, the trench now finds itself an object of seduction; full of mystery and intrigue. These days, you are far more likely to see a short white trench on a woman, than a traditional beige trench coat on a man.
On USAToday.com Joe Zee, Creative Director of Elle, hails 2008 as the year of the lady. According to Zee, “peasant blouses, wrap-dresses and pencil skirts are out, and sheer blouses, small clutches and trench coats are in.” Designers are redefining what it means to have sex appeal,." says Zee, “There’s a new idea of sexiness and femininity”.
There is also an underline Sexy Secretary theme this spring, in which trench coats are becoming a workwear staple.
Trench Coats and the Movies
Portrayed in many movies as provocative, the trench oozes sex appeal. It emphasizes a woman’s curves and when belted, gives the impression of an hourglass figure. Currently, they ooze girlie femininity when work over full-flow skirts. Wear your trench with oversized shades and look ultra-mysterious. It is interesting how a garment which covers pretty much the whole of a woman’s; body can be sexy!
Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany's) and Humphrey Bogart (Casablanca) both put trenches firmly on the fashion map, along with movies like The Pink Panther Series (Inspector Clouseau’s traditional trench) or The Matrix (Keanu Reeves' long black trench and sunglasses is ultra cool)
A Classic Piece for Your Wardrobe
Chic and slimming, the trench coat is one of the recommended ten key pieces for a stylish woman’s wardrobe, by Nina Garcia in her Little Black Book of Style. This timeless coat which has the ability to take you from season to season should definitely be on your wardrobe basics checklist. Penney’s Ireland, glamorous double breasted white linen cotton trench coat (€29.00,) is a stylish coat come rain or shine, alternatively go for a high end fashion, tailored trench from Stella McCartney’s collection. The traditional trench coat is a ten button, double-breasted coat (often belted) in tan, beige or khaki but the modern, colorful trenches of today are a very different beast.
