Iconic ensemble

Manpriya Singh 

It’s quite something when a modern piece of clothing traces its lineage back to World War I.  When what’s latest is what’s in fact the oldest, it’s something to take extreme pride in.  Trench coats, a staple for fall/winter wardrobe, happily fit in the category and continue to be known and owned for their versatility and aesthetics. This is what makes them perfect for our pick. 

Traditionally speaking

The mere mention of a trench coat conjures up images of the classic versions—double breasted, with at least 10 front buttons, in fawn colour, and cotton gabardine fabric, belted at the waist, deep pockets, with wide lapels and straps around wrists and shoulders that buckle.  Traditionally they also featured a removable lining and got their name from its origins in WWI trench warfare. 

Get the garment right 

British label Burberry’s trench coats are almost outwear icons and the recent collections feature right from two-tone trench coat to a laminated trench coat to the reconstructed ones in cotton gabardine in a plethora of colours. Then there’s the one in cashmere fabric that takes the wearer well into sub-zero temperatures when layered properly.  “Trench coats are a great trend. To make them look amazing you can follow a few tips. One should wear it along with cat-eye sunglasses, cowboy boots.  A saddle bag would be another tip to add on. Crafting a look from different shades of the same colour family adds dimension to an otherwise monochromatic ensemble. 

Expert advice 

One should also be easy with buttons and shoulder level shouldn’t be much while wearing trench coats to avoid giving that typical detective look,” warns Panchkula-based Deepali Garg who runs her own label by the name, Dugri A Studio.  Her concerns stem from the fact that detectives stereotypically wear trench coats considering their functionality in rain as rain and snow can usually be brushed off the fabric. While the longer versions might have been reserved by the spies, but traditionally the coats come in various lengths with the longest ones reaching just above the ankles to the shortest version sitting above the knees.