Stylish Women in Paris and NYC Wear This Staple Nonstop—I Like These 24 Best
Trends are cool and all, but some of the most stylish women we know have cultivated their great taste in clothes not by trying every new fleeting style that pops up but by relying on a few select wardrobe staples. As style people ourselves, we like to keep tabs on what our fashion friends are favoring each season, and one staple that always persists is the trench coat. Take a walk around Paris and NYC (two cities with arguably some of the very best street style) and at any given moment I guarantee you'll spot more than your fair share of cool trench coat ensembles. After all, the lightweight jacket is a useful layering piece during transitional seasons like spring and fall.
Despite the classic nature of a camel trench, the staple is being reimagined in cool and creative ways—as spotted all over the runways and on our favorite fashion girls. From upsized silhouettes to leather iterations, the trenches on offer right now couldn't be any cooler. To uncover the best trench coats to buy now and wear forever, keep scrolling for our edit of 24 handpicked toppers and get inspired by street style looks from New York and Paris along the way.
1. Favorite Daughter The Charles Trench Coat
This billowing silhouette is slightly upsized and without much structure, lending it a cool relaxed feel. Cut from cotton oversize notched lapels and buttoned straps that define the loose sleeves, it's easily thrown atop anything from a suit to jeans.
2. COS Layered Double-Breasted Trench Coat
Ask any editor and they'll agree that COS's tailoring is some of the best for its relatively affordable price. I like this straight-cut trench, which features all the classic trench accouterments but is reworked with a double-layer contrasting collar.
3. Madewell Belted Trench Coat in Drapey Twill
Madewell is every fashion girl's go-to source for stylish staples, so it should come as no surprise that its trench is equal parts cool and classic.
4. Burberry The Kensington Long Trench Coat
We can't discuss a piece as beloved as the trench coat without a mention of the brand whose gabardine dates back to 1879. The Kensington comes in both a short and long version and, of course, Burberry's iconic check-printed interior.
5. Mango Classic Trench Coat
The right amount of oversize with just enough detailing makes this Mango a perfect choice for the minimalists among us. It's also the pick that's in this editor's cart as we speak.
6. Aritzia Babaton New Tabloid Trench Coat
Not all trench coats have to be made from twill cotton; in fact, it's worth looking shopping for a leather version. But if you're on a tighter budget, Artizia's luxe vegan leather trench is a well-made, affordable alternative to more expensive leather trenches.
7. Wardrobe.NYC Belted Double-Breasted Trench Coat
Wardrobe.NYC was created by an industry veteran stylist and designer as a line of luxury essentials "distilled into their purest and most versatile form," as it puts it. Take the brand's trench coat, which takes all the classic fixings like the tonal belt, double-breasted shape, and tortoiseshell buttons, and remixes it in a relaxed fit to feel ultra modern.
8. H&M Twill Trench Coat
Word to the wise: H&M is a jackpot for affordable trench coats that hardly look it. One detail that makes the brand's offering look luxe is the maxi-length hem, which lends a sleek look to whatever it's worn with.
9. Sam Edelman Double Breasted Belted Trench Coat
You may only know of Sam Edelman for its shoes, but let this trench coat serve as proof that its outerwear is not to be overlooked. A peek at the selection on Nordstrom confirms that it's equal parts classic and stylish.
10. J.Crew New Icon Trench
Of course, J.Crew created the perfect version of the forever favorite. We love the belted shape and lightweight fabric that makes for an easy transition into colder weather.
11. Banana Republic Sabbia Oversized Italian Twill Trench Coat
Classic detailing with cooler necklines seems to be the contemporary way to wear trench coats. No style embodies this as much as this Banana Republic pick.
12. Abercrombie Full-Length Trench Coat
While beige trench coats are certainly classics, sometimes you don't want what everyone else is having. In that case, there are a few cool color alternatives like green, ruse, and a classic black that offer a more offbeat approach.
13. Aligne Barnaby Reversible Check Trench Coat
These days, we're enthralled by the London-based brand Aligne. Recently, the brand released this reversible printed trench coat, furthering our obsession.
14. Reformation Hayes Denim Trench Coat
Designers continue experimenting with reinventing the trench, and we couldn't be any more obsessed with this elegant denim version from Reformation.
15. Isabel Marant Jepson Belted Shell Trench Coat
The definition of a "buy now, wear forever" piece. Isabel Marant's belted Jepson trench is made from a water-wicking fabric blend that includes a hint of cotton. The longline shape and removable belt give it a sleek look and the neutral hue ensures it will go with everything.
16. Zara Double-Breasted Crop Trench Coat
Hello, beautiful. Zara nailed the cropped trench coat trend with this great option, but are we even surprised?
17. The Frankie Shop Nikola Double-Breasted Denim Trench Coat
This lightweight white denim trench hits just above the ankles for a polished finish. We love the idea of wearing it with a slip dress and satin ballet flats.
18. Khaite Cropped Belted Leather Trench Coat
If the standard-looking trench coat isn't your cup of tea, this one from Khaite makes a statement but is no less polished.
19. Apparis Tate Faux Leather Trench Coat
Outerwear brand Apparis re-created the trench in a cool vegan leather iteration for an elevated and on-trend take on the classic.
20. By Anthropologie High-Shine Trench Coat
The patent finish on this faux-leather trench will make all your fall ensembles a bit shiner.
21. Avec Les Filles Glazed Faux-Ever Leather Belted Trench Coat
The oversize shape gives this leather trench a street style– approved look. Layer a hoodie underneath for extra warmth and styling points.
22. Saint Laurent Trench Coat
Light beige is a classic trench coat color, but this warmer camel hue feels especially fresh for fall. Plus, anything from Saint Laurent is built to last a lifetime. Wear it over all your jeans, sweaters, and boots.
23. Gap Icon Trench Coat
Don't skip out on mall brands like Gap and J.Crew. They have quietly carried some of the best classic wardrobe basics without the big price tags.
24. Massimo Dutti Cotton Trench Coat With Scarf
Trench coats with built-in scarves are on the rise as a trend-forward alternative to classic cotton-blend iterations. Trust me—this Massimo Dutti pick is the kind that will earn you many compliments throughout the fall and winter.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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