Spring 2017 Trend Report: How to Wear the Trench Coat

Date February 28, 2017

When it comes to outerwear, there’s nothing more satisfying than ditching your tired winter coat for a fresh, spring one. Enter the Trench coat—this season’s outerwear MVP (Most Valuable Piece). From royals (Kate Middleton) to reality moguls (Kim Kardashian West), this go-to utilitarian wardrobe staple is always on call. Whether you choose a tried-and-true version, like the one Lauren Bacall wore in Bottega Veneta’s spring 2017 show (file under #allclass—the coat and the woman), or opt for an updated style with a peppy floral-print (seen at Michael Kors), this piece adds a dash of sophistication to any look.

If you’re looking for a new twist on this classic coat, try adding a splash of super saturated colour. Marni went bold with a scarlet red belted trench, featuring a few strategically placed slashes. Clearly, deconstructed classics are the next big thing. DKNY didn’t paint the town red, but rather traffic-cone orange this season. From the electric hue to the elongated hemline, this new must-have gives you instant street style star status.

Silhouette is key, but so is fabric. Balenciaga made a strong case for high gloss finishes on outerwear. Drenched in slick black and tightly cinched, this trench coat has a darker, edgier vibe—perfect for cocktails and evenings out on the town. For day—and every day—try a cool denim version, like the one at Alexander Wang. Worn casually open and paired with a bra top and shorts, the look was made for It girls-of-the-moment like Lily-Rose Depp and Lottie Moss.

Khaki trench coats (the bread and butter of this type of outerwear) is still having a major moment, too. But these basics have been reinvented, so they’re anything-but-yawn-worthy. Here, hybrids and quirky accents reign supreme. Lacoste did a cool take on sport utility styling a classic Mac with a hoodie, while at Balenciaga the power shoulders made a strong impact—and gave us serious Working Girl vibes. Over at Sacai, the trench got a chic makeover with a drop-waist, swingy skirt and voluminous sleeves. Prada’s glam dressing gown/trench coat hybrid had an Old Hollywood feel, thanks to the feathered cuffs and satiny sheen, but the mix of fabrics said futuristic.

From classic khaki to eclectic cool, check out our favourite trench coats below from the spring 2017 runways. Rain or shine, these standout pieces are made for turning heads wherever you roam.