Trench coat outfits: rose, khaki and what to wear with them
There are weeks in late summer when the morning is cool and the afternoon is warm. A jacket is too much, a top on its own too little. This is exactly the gap the short trench coat fills: light, easy to wear open, and instantly smarter once you tie the belt. Here you will find out which colour suits which outfit, what to wear underneath and when the coat really pays off.
What makes a short trench coat
The classic trench coat reaches the knee. The short version ends at the hip and looks considerably lighter for it.
The wide lapel, the tie belt at the waist and the tabs on the sleeves are typical. The picture above shows exactly that: a hip length trench coat in rose, the belt tied into a bow at the front, the sleeves wide.
In practice that means you get the shape of a coat without overheating. You can see what is in stock right now in the trench coats.
The belt decides the effect
One and the same coat looks three different ways with three belt variations. It is the quickest lever there is.
- Tied at the front. Emphasises the waist and looks the smartest. Good when the rest of the outfit is wide.
- Tied at the back. The coat falls open at the front and the silhouette stays straight. The most relaxed version.
- Left off completely. Turns the trench coat into a light jacket. With short models this is the easiest option.
Because the short version ends at the hip anyway, a loosely tied belt is usually the nicer choice over a tightly pulled one.
Rose and khaki, which colour suits what
Rose is the more striking tone and carries the whole outfit. Calm colours work best with it: cream, white, sand. Tone on tone with a rose top works too, as in the picture above.
Khaki is the easy going all rounder. It goes with white, cream, black, denim blue and every warm shade of brown, and it instantly takes the summery edge off an outfit.
If you are unsure which tone suits you better: khaki can be combined more often, rose does more for a plain basic outfit. Matching tops are in the tops and blouses, the newest shades in the new arrivals.
Short on top, high on the bottom
This is the rule that works with every hip length model. The coat ends at the hip, so the trousers should start there and not below.
High rise wide trousers in cream are the most obvious combination, and that is exactly how both pictures in this article are put together. The light fabric carries the line downwards instead of interrupting it. You will find wide models in the trousers and in the fabric trousers.
It works the same way with a skirt, as long as the waistband sits high. There is more on the interplay of wide and narrow in the article Wearing oversize the right way.
Which shoes go with a trench coat
Because the coat is short, the shoe decides whether the look turns sporty or smart.
- White trainers. The most straightforward choice, makes the whole thing everyday friendly.
- Loafers or flat slippers. Calmer than trainers, without looking like an occasion.
- Ankle boots. As soon as it gets cooler, the most coherent addition to a trench coat.
- Sandals with a slim heel. For mild evenings, they lengthen the silhouette.
When to start wearing it
A light trench coat is a coat for the transitional season, not for winter. As a rule of thumb: worn open from around 15 degrees, closed and belted down to around 10 degrees.
A shirt is enough underneath on mild days, on cooler ones add a fine knit. You will find something suitable in the jumpers and in the jackets.
How fabrics behave as the seasons change is covered in detail in the fabric guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which sizes is a short trench coat made for?
That is stated in the size details of each item. If a model is labelled One Size, it is intended for sizes 34 to 42. With wide cut coats the shoulder width matters more than the dress size anyway.
Which length suits me?
A hip length trench coat is the easier choice if you are on the shorter side, because it does not visually cut the legs in half. From around 1.75 metres, knee length and longer models look balanced too. What matters is that the trousers sit high.
From how many degrees do you wear a trench coat?
A light trench coat is made for spring and autumn. Worn open it feels right from around 15 degrees, and with the belt closed and a jumper underneath it carries you down to about 10 degrees. It is not made for frost.
Which shoes go best with a trench coat?
White trainers for every day, loafers for a calmer look, ankle boots for cooler days and a slim sandal for the evening. The shorter the coat, the more the shoe matters.
How do you wash a trench coat?
Classic models made from coated cotton fabric belong at the dry cleaner, because washing can destroy the water repellent finish. If the label allows machine washing, use a maximum of 30 degrees on a gentle cycle, never a tumble dryer, and dry the coat on a wide hanger. What applies to your model is on the care label inside the item.
Can I leave the belt off?
Yes. Without the belt the short trench coat looks like a light jacket and hangs straight. That is the most relaxed way to wear it and goes particularly well with wide trousers.