For obvious reasons, I’ve had trench coats on the brain the last few weeks. I know they were invented for British soldiers and have heavy London fashion associations, but I think of them as the centerpiece of Parisian style. Either way, there is no arguing (don’t even try!) that every closet needs a good trench coat. It is the most magical of garments — throw it over a dress and heels or jeans and sneakers, and you’ll look instantly chic either way. A good one lasts, and they’re literally never out of style. (I’ve had mine since 2009, and the one it replaced was at least 12 years old!) Now I know, there are very very few of us who would ever attempt to sew our own, but it deserves noting that such a thing can in fact be done. For those intrepid souls, here are a few indie pattern options:
ABOVE TOP: Isla Trench Coat by Named has a retro-timeless length and neck shape
ABOVE BOTTOM: Robson Coat by Sewaholic is a shorter, sassier, more contemporary version
Both have all the styling details — double-breasted, rain flaps, belt, pockets, those cuff strap doohickeys. (What on earth do you call those?) And then there’s—
BELOW: Australian Drover’s Coat by Folkwear, which is more the outback version, with or without a lot of those details.
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