Fashion Experts Are Wearing Trench Coats on Repeat Again—Here's How

Like Breton tops or loafers, gold chains or blue button-downs, trench coats are one of those staple items you automatically reach for this time of year. However, just because these clever items become almost mandatory in your wardrobe doesn't make them exempt from having moments where they seem even more covetable than the month, season or year before. Just because a trench coat isn't new or different or a trend doesn't make it any less important this season. In fact, fashion experts appear to be relishing the effortlessness a plain mac can bring to dressing and are therefore leaning on them once more for easy-but-effective outfit builds. 

This year's trench coat wave is one of the best winter coats for layering and it isn't full of gimmicks, restyling or reworked iterations. In the past, we've seen giant blouson sleeves, patchwork detailing, inside-out and upside-down pattern cutting or unusual colours, but in 2021, those who know best are keeping things as classic as can be. We're talking shades of tan in simple waist-cinched silhouettes that hover around the mid-calf and somehow manage to go with literally everything else you own. The only tweak that I can see is that there is a preference for looser fits and a penchant for scrunching sleeves up to the elbow. As proof of this comeback-not-a-comeback, and if you still aren't sure of how to breathe a little new life into your trusty old trench, I dove into the Instagram archives to bring you some perfect outfit ideas that are made all the better by the addition of this one coat. So keep scrolling to see what to wear with a trench coat now.

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RIPPED JEANS + BOXY TEE + HEELS
(Image credit: @greceghanem)

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TRENCH COAT + LEGGINGS + MULES
(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

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TRENCH + TONAL JEANS + SNEAKS
(Image credit: @modestmira_)

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TRENCH + TAILORING UNDERNEATH
(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

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TRENCH + BAGGY TROUSERS + HEELS
(Image credit: @deborarosa)

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TRENCH + JEANS + FLATS
(Image credit: @fashionenth)

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TRENCH + CHUNKY BOOTS
(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

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Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.