Of raincoats, trenchcoats, just be stylish anyway

Craig Twist
Fashion Correspondent

So military, So Fashionable.

Now that the rain season is upon us, going to work in the morning when its pouring down is one way of starting your day on a bad note. No one wants to get to the office drenched and soaking, so the question is how can you keep your look classy this season and the answer is a Raincoat/Waterproof Trench coat.

A trench coat is an outer garment made from waterproof heavy duty cotton garbadine drill, leather or poplin, with wide side pockets and adjustable belt to suit the style. Trench coats were initially developed for military purpose in the trenches, hence the name ‘trench coat’. Transitioning over time, and being embraced into the fashion world by the likes of Thomas Burberry, trench coats are by far the most versatile and practical wardrobe investments that will see one through all seasons. Although trench-coats were developed for men, women have come to embrace the style and accessorised it with so much style and etiquette, and the timeless piece looks nothing short of elegance.

Long or short?

Short trench coats have been all the rage in the past few years. Knee-length and maxi-long are what you will find most in the stores. But, it is valuable to have both a shorter and a longer coat for wearing with jeans and pants, a knee-length coat for skirt and dress styling. The longer line adds more elegance. When choosing the length for your trench coat, always consider your body type and size.

To belt or not to belt.

The decision to belt or not is entirely up to the owner. However, one must be aware of how each version will affect his/her body and the whole look. On the norm, the built in belt cinches the torso, for a tapered fit which adds a nice great finish to the suit and/or the roll neck. For ladies, if well cinched, it helps bring out the whole body curves. On the other note, getting the perfect cinch might just be what everyone and anyone would do. So for a unique look, don’t be too pedantic about tying the belt just right. Instead, half tie it or give it a double tie on the side. With this said, it’s always advisable to pick on an oversized coat for flexible styling.

Colour to consider for trench coats.

You have two choices when it comes to colour. Get one in a versatile neutral or go wild and enjoy a pretty colour. Ideally, I’d recommend one of each since you will have plenty of opportunity to wear both and that way you can satisfy your mood, your wardrobe and the occasion by having more than one option. Yes, we know that the trench coat comes in some variation of beige, that’s alright but always make sure you choose a shade that compliments your skin tone. I know that’s easier said than done so why not choose another, safer neutral-colour instead. Black, navy, brown or charcoal are great options. Even white or off-white is often better than beige.

Styling trench coats for a formal look

For a great formal look, trench costs can be thrown over a suit, it can be a full suit or separate. A grey suit for the office can be softened by a navy blue trench with a pair of some cool off colour shoes. For a semi-formal look, one can unbutton half their shirt, leaving out a glimpse of some skin and sexy. Women can also rock this look with a nice mid-length dress and obviously unbelt the trench coat for a more formal and sophisticated look revealing more of the body.

Casual styling

The sophisticated jacket, in a sparky shade, looks great over cropped trousers, a shirt and a sweater or an unstructured blazer. Look for an oversized one, it injects a street wear kind of look. Ladies can wear this jacket on its own for an occasion that suits the style, with a pair of-boots, especially for dinner dates. They can also rock this timeless piece with a pair of jagged jeans and ankle boots for a day’s outing.

The trench coat continues to be an icon in the fashion industry. Its place in the clothing market is irreplaceable. It crazy to think that a military item from so long ago could be so relevant, yet its place in fashion is getting stronger by day.

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