There are few wardrobe staples as enduring—or as quietly powerful—as the trench coat. Season after season, it holds its place at the heart of every great wardrobe.
The Best Trench Coats, According To marie claire:
Best Classic: Camilla And Marc Evans Trench Coat, $900
Best Modern: Scanlan Theodore Tech Trench, $900
Best Affordable: Aere Organic Cotton Belted Trench Coat, $250
Best Investment: Toteme Signature Trench, $2,050
Best Oversized: Nour Hammour Jane Coat, $1,477
Best Cropped: Eaves Yuna Crop Trench, $614
The classic silhouette is experiencing a modern renaissance, with designers re-imagining its heritage details—think sharp lapels, storm flaps, belted waists—in fresher, more fluid shapes. The trench coat’s appeal lies in its versatility: polished enough for the office, casual enough for weekend chill-time, and effortlessly layered to transition between seasons.
This season, clean minimalism is making a strong case—and marie claire’s fashion Editor Jordan Boorman is all in on the trend.
But minimal doesn’t mean boring—nor does it mean abandoning the classics. In fact, a relaxed, modern take on traditional tailoring might just be the smartest style investment you can make this season. marie claire Editor Georgie McCourt agrees, pointing to the Camilla and Marc Evans Classic Trench as her top pick.
“The Evans Trench strikes that perfect balance between timeless and effortless,” she explains. “The twill fabric and double-breasted cut give it a classic foundation, while the relaxed fit makes it incredibly wearable day to day. I love styling it with tonal knits and tailored trousers—it’s my go-to for that refined, off-duty look.”
For those leaning into a more directional wardrobe—and the rise of utility and tech fabrications—shopping editor Phoebe Youl has already earmarked the Scanlan Theodore Tech trench, but it’s the cropped silhouette she expects will quietly rise to the top of everyone’s winter wish list this year.
Whether you favour sleek minimalism, relaxed tailoring, or French-girl ease, the message is clear: the trench coat remains a cornerstone of modern dressing—just with a fresh new perspective.
Below, explore our edit of this season’s standout trenches. From buttery-soft classics to sculptural updates on heritage shapes, these are the coats the marie claire team are investing in now, and wearing forever.
Read: The Winter Jacket Everyone’s Wearing (Hint: It’s Not A Trench)
TOTEME
Signature Trench
H&M
Belted Trench Coat
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Veyron Double-breasted Trench Coat
CAMILLA AND MARC
Ember Trench Coat
&OTHERSTORIES
Double Breasted Trench Jacket
AERE
Organic Cotton Belted Trench Coat
MATTEAU
Long Macintosh gabardine coat
MESHKI
Short Trench Jacket
LEE MATTHEWS
Yves Trench
MASSIMO DUTTI
Short Trench With Belt Detail
SCANLAN THEODORE
Tech Trench
MNG
Funnel Neck Cropped Trench
EAVES
Yuna Crop Trench
COS
Classic Cotton Long Car Coat
CAMILLA AND MARC
Evans Trench Coat
NOUR HAMMOUR
Jane Coat
The trench coat’s timeless status comes down to three things: practicality, polish, and adaptability. Originally designed as military outerwear, the trench quickly became a symbol of modernity — from mid-century cinema icons to today’s fashion influencers, it remains a marker of cool confidence.
Now, contemporary designers are softening and expanding the silhouette. Oversized sleeves, dropped shoulders, lightweight fabrics, and muted tones are redefining the trench as something more relaxed and directional — while still rooted in its iconic DNA.
A great trench coat is about more than just the sum of its details—it’s a mood-setter, a wardrobe anchor, and a layering essential. When selecting your style, think about proportion, texture, and tone.
For workdays, “layer a classic trench over structured tailoring, finish with leather loafers or kitten heels, and add a statement bag for polish,” advises marie claire fashion director Naomi Smith. “For off-duty, style with vintage denim, a white tee, and sneakers. Look for trenches with a relaxed cut or oversized fit for that effortless vibe.”
For date night, Smith advises draping a longer-line trench over a fitted knit dress or satin slip. “Add bold earrings and a sleek clutch for instant impact,” she says.
Experiment with cropped trench coats or ones in unexpected hues—khaki, stone blue, or clay—for a contemporary twist. But if in doubt? A camel or beige trench will never fail you.”
These days, trench coats come in every colour possible from neutrals to patterns and bold brights. The most popular trench coat is the classic camel or beige colourway, which is perfect for pairing back with everything.
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