M&S trench coats - blah or fit for purpose?

[ilovecherries]

A client very generously gave me an M&S gift voucher at Xmas, and I have yet to spend it. I don't really need (any more) beauty stuff, and can't wear M&S shoes or bras. I don't want to fritter it away in the foodhall, but I was wondering about a trench coat. Either of these? Not sure why there is a £20 price difference, because they seem identical apart from the lining. I keep thinking I will see something I love, but I haven't and nothing in M&S actually seems to fit me properly. I could get a cashmere jumper when the winter stock comes in, I guess, but last year I was even disappointed in their cashmere. I live in the Lakes, so have plenty of proper heavy duty rainwear, this would just be a smart-ish coat for visiting clients etc, that would fit over a blazer if it was cold.

I tried some coats including a trench coat I. in in m&s. The quality was fine and cut quite good but they make everything for giants! So if you are shorter than 5'6 I wouldn't bother

I'm 5'7 so they are just about ok on me :)

This one in green is really lovely but huge. I'm a 12/14 and would have needed an 8. It was far too long for me though. Jealous of anybody who is tall enough to pull it off. None of the others were v nice - too plasticy.

Just bought this, wearing it now actually. It's very well made but does weigh a good bit. I'm almost 6ft and I feel like it's pretty long for me. They're generously sized so if you want a more flattering fit, size down.

I am worried I'll look like a flasher but I'm sick of buying coats every winter, hoping a classic will stand the test of time.

Didn't see your second option, I've bought he higher price (20% off last week) it's got more derailing and tailoring than the other. Slightly more modern in style, hence the price. Oh it's also stormproof (water) too - not sure if the £79 is?

The £79 one has Stormwear and is cotton lined; the Autograph one is poly lined, I think.

I liked the green, but it's a colour that really doesn't suit me, so it would have to be between Navy and Beige (don't want black, either). The cheaper one claims to be storm proof, but it doesn't have a hood. I didn't see the more expensive one in store, so haven't actually tried it. Might order both then to have a look. I worried about the flasher look as well!

Aha, cost must be due to the removable hood and button detailing down the rear, placket etc. I spotted it's being used in this seasons advert today, so I'm guessing that justifies a price bump too.

It is very long, I'd imagine down to the ankles on your average height woman.

Oooh, are coloured trench coats in fashion this year?

Too late for me, I spent all of many months last year hunting one down, ended up with a brilliant navy trench from the now-defunct BHS.

If only I'd waited a year

I bought a khaki one in a charity shop (M&S, cotton, not too long) for a grand total of a pound last week, I think I look more Edmund Blackadder than a stalker in it, but that may not be an entirely good thing either, to be fair.

I'm rather well endowed in the nork area, so I wondered if I'd be better without the extra detailing on the chest. Glad they aren't eye-bleedingly awful though. Think I will def have one.

They've got a couple of really lovely cashmere pieces in, if you decide to go down that route.

I've bought your first option - I've taken the hood of completely and now really like. It's long enough to wear with the midi skirts and dresses I'm wearing at the moment and is fine with a generous chest!

I didn't see any cashmere in Carlisle today at all. I used to love M&S cashmere, I tried to buy one thing every year for ages. Most of my early stuff is still certainly wearable for comfort, but last year's is looking a bit sad. I'm looking mainly for slouchy v necks.

I've tried the one Remus linked in khaki and it's lovely but yes, generously sized. I like the longer length though (and I'm barely 5'3) - it looks good with knee length boots plus if hemlines are dropping coats will get longer too.

I have that green one. Bought it last year (it was from the Alexa Chung collection). It is huge, but I wanted it to be oversized, and the belt is quite high, but I took that off. The only thing I didn't like about it was the lining which I think made it look quite tacky, so I had that removed

OP, I tried the long one you posted in store. At 5ft and a size 6/8 (in Topshop), I looked beyond ridiculous.
I like the khaki one another poster linked to and that looks slightly shorter.
I keep hoping they'll add one of these to their petite range... But I think M&S believe petites don't want to wear anything vaguely fashionable

The khaki one is definitely not short. It was almost ankle length on me, at 5'2! It's a lovely classic coat though and would be worth getting a tailor to take up, if the length was the only thing counting against it.