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With its roots dating back to the 19th century, the humble trench coat has weathered decades of changing trends to cement itself as a crucial garment for any modern wardrobe. Its lightweight fabric makes it ideal for layering across the seasons, with a wide variety of shades, fabrics, and silhouettes to choose from. 

No wardrobe is complete without the perfect women’s jackets and coats, and the trench is the ultimate must-have. With its extensive versatility and timeless appeal, it is the ultimate investment piece that will reign supreme throughout the year, regardless of the social occasion or weather outside. 

Cropped

The cropped trench has become a stand-out silhouette for spring/summer 2025, creating the ideal new addition to any capsule wardrobe. The shorter cut offers a less restrictive fit for warmer months when a floor-length coat will simply not work. 

The shorter hemline creates the perfect shape to pair stylishly with high-waisted jeans, skirts, and shorts, giving you the timeless style of a trench while still allowing your bottom half an opportunity to make a statement. Don’t be afraid to play around with volume and wider shapes, like puffy midi skirts or barrel-leg jeans. 

Color Injection

One of the simplest and most effective ways to transition your trench coat from your winter wardrobe into spring is through the addition of color. Neutral coats in blacks, browns, creams, and grey pair just as well with color as they do with other neutrals. 

Bright blues, bubblegum pinks, egg yolk yellows, and pistachio greens button-down shirts or lightweight sweaters scream warmer weather, lifting the entire outfit in a whimsical and fun way. Light-wash jeans and a satin ballerina pump or white sneakers tie this look together with ease. 

Oversized

Oversized coats are nothing new, and in 2025, one of the hottest spring/summer trends will be the oversized trench coat. Seen across the catwalks of Carven, Gucci, and Chloé, it’s a relatively easy trend to incorporate into your own wardrobe. 

The simplest way to ease yourself into this trend is by sizing up your regular fit. Opt for a trench that is one or two sizes bigger than you would typically buy for an understated but impactful slouch. Petite frames can easily be overwhelmed by too much fabric, so instead, select a coat with fitted shoulders and a fuller A-line cut that moves the oversized effect lower down the silhouette. 

When styling oversized trench coats, avoid looks that require multiple layers to get right. Focus on simple lines and tailored shapes to achieve the perfect balance of proportions. As an added style tip, consider switching out your cross-body bag for a shoulder strap to prevent the extra fabric from bunching awkwardly across your torso.

Dresses

Trench coats and flowy dresses pair beautifully together, but you need to make some considerations regarding the cut and length of either garment to perfectly nail the proportions of your finished look. 

Firstly, you need to consider the hemline of your dress compared to the coat. The most stylish and flattering approach is to pair a dress with a coat of a similar length. Midi dresses will always look incredibly chic paired with a longline trench, as opposed to an outer layer that hits you at the knee, as the severe break in the outfit can distort your proportions. Similarly, shorter dresses will work best with a shorter style of outerwear that complements and matches the higher hemline. 

Furthermore, you need to consider the silhouette of the dress. Form-fitting and slinky slip dresses fit beautifully under any coat you own, while full-skirted dresses may be slightly trickier to style under the A-line shape of a trench. The key is to belt your trench at the waist to highlight the shape of the fit, leaving the lower part undone to create a flattering hourglass shape. 

Jeans

Jeans are a wardrobe staple that can be worn throughout the year, leaning closer to the edge of casual. A fantastic way to instantly smarten up even the simplest of outfits is to throw on a chic trench. Similar to how a blazer can elevate your look for a day at the office, a trench coat can make even the simplest t-shirt and jeans look pulled together. 
Because the top half of a trench is more fitted, pair slim-fitting tops underneath to prevent your upper half from looking too bulky. This is particularly important if you opt for wider, shaped pants, such as barrel-leg, boyfriend, or baggy jeans. Additionally, the simplicity of jeans and a t-shirt make for the perfect backdrop to rock a bolder version of the classic trench.

Leather

If the thought of a leather trench coat intimidates you, don’t be so quick to write it off. Duchesse satin, suede, and leather are luxurious and tactile materials that will instantly provide the perfect outerwear option for any dressy or formal occasion on your calendar. 

If you are stepping out in a leather trench while the sun is still up, make it the standout piece of your look. Pair it with simple yet tailored black pants, a soft cashmere sweater, and fashion sneakers or ankle boots for a comfortable and fashionable fit. 

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