These 7 Chic Outfit Ideas Prove Trench Coats Make Everything Look Expensive

a fashion collage featuring three style influencers Marina Torres, Sylvie Mus, and Brittany Bathgate posing in expensive-looking trench coat outfits

If putting together an expensive-looking closet is your goal, there is one piece that I swear by: the trench coat. It's a classic for a reason. I don't know what it is exactly, but this outerwear option has an unbelievable way of transforming even the most basic of looks into elevated ensembles. Another major plus is how versatile and easy it is, seeing as how you can wear it with anything and everything. Just throw one on and you're ready to go.

To prove the transformative power of a trench coat in making any outfit look expensive, I rounded up three chic outfits from some of my favorite Instagram style muses. From a basic tee and jeans to a pretty top-and-trouser combo, these women from across the globe all reach for a great trench coat to top off their looks. Keep scrolling to check out and shop each stylish outfit idea that features the hero piece.

fashion editor Kristen Nichols poses on the streets of Paris wearing an stylish outfit with a trench coat, black sunglasses, black top, classic straight-leg jeans, a Chanel bag, and black low-heel slingbacks

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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fashion influencer Taffy Msipa poses in front of a green door with flowers wearing a trench coat, neutral cardigan, white jeans, and tan suede clogs

(Image credit: @taffymsipa)

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Fashion influencer Marissa Cox poses on the streets of Paris in a trench coat outfit with a white tee, denim jacket, black pants, and red mesh flats

(Image credit: @ruerodier)

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female fashion influencer Marina Torres poses on a sidewalk wearing a stylish outfit with a trench coat, white tee, wide leg jeans, and pointed-toe shoes

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

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British fashion influencer Brittany Bathgate poses on a European cobblestone street in a trench coat outfit with a beaded necklace, tie front white top, black pants, and boots

(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

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Paris based fashion influencer Sylvie Mus poses on the street in front of an ornate black door wearing a trench coat, white top, denim skirt, and burgundy bag

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

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stylish woman sits outside a cafe with a tote bag full of flowers, a coffee in hand, wearing a trench coat, gray t-shirt, white jeans, and black boots

(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

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Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently the shopping updates editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.