Incoming: The 30 Best Cropped Trench Coats for Fall

best cropped jackets for women shown in a collage of women's trench coat outfits
(Image credit: @ingridedvinsen;  @nlmarilyn; @dinahansen)
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman's avatar
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Close your eyes for a second and imagine that it's a crisp fall day. The breeze is billowing, and the leaves have begun to change. Can you envision what items from your closet you're wearing on this idyllic fall day? Let's be honest—the best part of the fantasy of fall is the fashion. Even if you don't spend time daydreaming about all the different pieces you will wear when temperatures cool down, reality will always come into the picture. You may not dream about outerwear, but there comes a day when you'll need to wear it to get through the day. That, my friends, is when trench coats enter the chat. While this staple may not seem as exciting as other seasonal staples (e.g., a cozy sweater or cool boots), the truth is that nothing is more fall coded than a trench. It's one of the few transitional items that work for every season, fit almost every occasion, and can be worn in every way imaginable. But the timeless nature of the trench doesn't necessarily mean that it's the item that tickles everyone's fancy. For some, the sportswear staple is simply "boring" compared to other outerwear trends.

But make no mistake—trench coats can be trend-forward if you look for versions with contemporary elements such as unexpected colors, luxe textiles, unique necklines, and cropped hemlines. We'd argue that the latter is the best way to make this everyday item a bit more exciting, as cropped trenches transform this classic silhouette into something way cooler. Don't believe us? To show why cropped trench coats are one of the most creative ways to embrace this staple, we turned to the style set and shopping section for inspiration.

Ahead, you'll find a few examples of how to wear a cropped trench coat, proving how dreamy it can genuinely be (with the proper styling). Plus, we rounded up the 30 best cropped trench coats for women based on quality, versatility, brand recognition, price point, and recent trends, should you feel inspired to indulge. If these cropped jackets don't make your fall fantasies feel real, we're not sure what else can do the trick.

best cropped trench coat for women shown on a woman standing in the street wearing a light beige short trench with a white sweater, white jeans, and black ballet flats

(Image credit: @lovisabarkman)

best cropped trench coat for women shown on a woman sitting outside on steps wearing a short tan trench over a white dress with white tabi toe pumps and a black crossbody bag

(Image credit: @dawn.tan)

best cropped trench coat for women shown on a woman standing outside against a wall wearing a tan funnel neck trench coat with black capri pants, black ballet flats, and a black frame bag

(Image credit: @ingridedvinsen)

best cropped trench coat for women shown on a woman standing in a doorway wearing a light tan cropped trench coat with a black maxi skirt, black mesh ballet flats, and a black handbag

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

best cropped trench coat shown on a woman

(Image credit: @dinahansen)
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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Freelance Fashion Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing. 

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