The history of the trench.
As its name suggests, the trench is above all a military garment, "trench" meaning trench in English. It is closely related to "gabardine", a fabric created and patented by the Briton Thomas Burberry in 1888. Originally it was a very tight cotton fabric that was relatively waterproof. As early as 1901 Burberry submitted a gabardine coat, the ancestor of the "trench", to the United Kingdom's Ministry of War in order to replace heavy, stiff coats which did not facilitate the movement of soldiers. It was during the First World War in the trenches that the superiority of the coat proposed by Burberry was obvious and was finally adopted by the British army, hence its name "trench coat" or "Burberry" in Great Britain.
During the Second World War it was adopted by many armies including those of Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States. It was even during the war that it began to be worn by the civilian population, following the example of Winston Churchill in Great Britain and Joseph Goebbels in Germany, Nazi propaganda minister who stood out in a white trench coat.
At the end of the war, he will make a sensational entry conveyed by Hollywood through three icons in particular: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich. In Europe, Hergé never makes Tintin travel without his trench coat. The fashion for the trench was launched and it still continues today, which is to say how much it has become a classic.
What trench?
The short trench: It comes just above the hips. It is suitable for small women. However, if you are small in stature with wide hips, it is best to avoid wearing a short trench coat. On the other hand, you can wear a mid-thigh trench or a mid-length trench.
The mid-length trench: It comes down to the knees. This is the classic trench coat adopted by British troops during the First World War. It is the trench that adapts to all statures and all body shapes. It is the ideal trench coat for women of small stature and generous shapes.
The long trench: It can go from below the knees to the ankles. Of course it is not recommended if you are small in size. However, if you absolutely want to wear a long trench, choose it so that it comes just below your knee and of course wear it with high heels. As for tall women, it's the trench coat that will definitely give them class.
It is difficult to imagine a wardrobe without a trench coat, especially in the off season. The founding brand Burberry is naturally the ideal brand to buy a trench coat. But you can also find alternatives from brands like Zara… or on a website like asos...
What color for a trench coat?
The original trench coat, the one worn by the British Army in the trenches during the First World War, was khaki. It was when it began to be worn by civilians that the beige color was introduced. Today we find trench coats in a multiple range of colors.
Beige is a basic color for a wardrobe that can be worn with a lot of other colors and which has the advantage of going to a lot of skin tones. I would therefore advise you, at first, to favor light or dark beige or even khaki. Once in possession of this one, why not buy an ecru, navy blue or taupe trench coat to still stay in easy-to-wear colors? On the other hand, if you want to go for more fantasy without taking any risks, you can dare a burgundy red or go for pastel tones.
Tips for wearing the trench coat well.
The trench coat is generally quite easy to wear. It can even, depending on your personality and circumstances, help you create your own style.
Just like any other garment, before buying a trench coat, make sure you have the clothes in your wardrobe that will go with the trench coat. You can wear your trench coat with pants, jumpsuits, skirts, dresses as well as shorts… In case you decide to wear a skirt or shorts with a cropped or three-quarter trench coat, as with everything short or three-quarter length coat, always make the skirt or shorts shorter than the trench coat. With a short trench do not wear boots up to your ankles. On the other hand, below-the-knee heeled boots work well with a cropped trench.
The trench being a very classic piece, it is better to avoid wearing it with a suit or a suit, unless you really want to press the business side. On the other hand, worn with a knee-length dress, heeled boots and a muslin shawl, it will make all the difference.
If you opt for a denim trench coat, wear it with white, beige or ecru clothes. As for the leather trench coat, it will go perfectly with beautiful raw jeans. But always avoid wearing leather on leather, denim on denim, or leopard on leopard.
You can also wear a long trench with a knee-high skirt or slim pants, it's very modern and trendy. Don't hesitate to wear a long trench with ballet flats or low-heeled shoes. To wear an unbuttoned trench, consider removing the belt...
The magic of accessories
I consider accessories as integral elements of any dressing. Thanks to their diversity and the fact that there is something for all budgets, they give everyone the opportunity to stand out and personalize themselves. They are the ones who bring the little extra that makes all the difference: the pace, the look, the originality...
A scarf, a shawl tied around the neck, a scarf, hair accessories, a nice pair of leather gloves, beautiful jewelry, a handbag, a hat... The possibilities are endless.
Now that you know all the tricks on how to wear a trench coat, do not hesitate to own this iconic garment and if you already have one, experiment and innovate, you will never disappoint those around you.
