Would anyone like to talk to me about trench-coats? Have you got one? Do you wear it much?

[Pikachuwithyourmouthclosed]

I've decided to get one!

I work in the city and am imagining myself looking terribly stylish hopping off the bus in the spring showers in it.

Any thoughts?

Light or dark tan?

What length?

Anything to look out for or avoid?

I shall probably trawl the op shops, so general style tips rather than specifics would be useful.

I have a navy one and a balcony one . I think the key for style is that they are not too long . I'm a sahm mum but I think it instantly makes me look smarter .

I've got one, but I don't look smart in it, more Edmund Blackadder in the trenches. And it only works with mini skirts or skinny trousers/jeans; everything else looks silly with it.

They don't work if you are large of breast or hiding have a waist. Or are short.
It cost me some money to find this out.
There is too much material too.
Massive disappointment to me!

I've got one from Hobbs, mid length so covers bottom but not long. A long one would be too formal looking for me personally. I don't wear it that much to be honest. I like the idea of it more than the reality. It's not particularly warm and if it's raining I want a hood! It does look very smart though and I can see it working very well for someone working in the city.

You need to try some on, with the clothes you wear for work.

Look at it objectively and maybe take a friend or colleague who will tell you straight if it's not right.

I've got a beige one. It's ancient, H&M 1999 and still going because I look after it.

Wear it to work with slim work trousers. I wall a couple of miles so it's nice to have a coat that isn't too hot or bulky.

*walk to work.

Mine was from TK Maxx - don't know the label. It's knee length and a kind of deep chestnut - I'm very fussy about beige, must be the right shade.

As regards keeping me either warm or dry it's possibly the most useless coat I've ever owned and God knows, I've had a few. Despite that and for reasons I can't quite explain, I really like it. In fact I'd like a longer one too but I'm only looking second hand (better made and with linings). I'd love to find an Aquascutum or similar brand (not Burberry as they're mostly the wrong beige).

I wear mine a lot during spring and autumn. It's light beige, just above the knee. Looks very smart with slim fit ankle length trousers or knee length pencil skirts, doesn't work with floaty skirts/dresses.

Okay... lots of people suggesting shorter is better, but one of the reasons I want one is to wear over my long work cardigans, so mid calf length minimum.

I was thinking of getting a lighter beige one.

Do I wear it buttoned and belted? Not flapping, right?

Interesting that it won't actually keep me warm and dry. An umbrella too, then...

I think physically I'll look okay - I'm 5'4 and a size 10 with no tits.

They aren't intended to be warm. I know Burberry do a, priced separately, warm gillet type liner, but they are bloody expensive. I don't know if any other brands do the same.

I tried the burberry trench coat that goes just above the knee in the sandringham style and it was bloody gorgeous 😍😍😍The material was lovely but it is £££. I liked the classic colours

They've been short for ages but I think long is looking good again. It's more versatile too. I never button mine - I either leave it flapping or just tie the belt like a wrap coat although that's probably no longer the done thing in more fashionable parts.

The old fashioned brands like Dannimac used to do warm, removable linings as a matter of course. It's one reason why I'm looking second hand.

I love mine and I have had people stop me in the street to tell me how great it is. It's dark khaki green, midi length with 3/4 sleeves, from topshop, and I wear it with everything. It was perfect for rainy late summer in Scotland, but it's getting a bit chilly up here now - if you live in London you'll be fine though. I'm going to get a big scarf to extend the life of mine.

Oh, and I'm 5'2, but longer definitely looks more chic on me.

I have this Aigle one, which is properly waterproof and fabulous
I wear it pretty much all the time in Autumn and Spring.

Oh, not mid calf, sorry!

Has to be long enough to cover the knee otherwise it looks tacky. Hobbs have a few good ones. I personally prefer darker tans as the lighter ones can get filthy in the rain.

I bought a Burberry second hand but it's long almost mid calf on me and I hardly ever use it, although it's good for looking 'timelessly smart' if I'm going to important meetings. However someone else I know who has a similar one in a shorter length (which I prefer) said that when she wears skirts hers is the wrong length and she wished she'd got the longer length that I've got. I never wear skirts only trousers but that didn't occur to me when buying mine, the shorter one would have been better for me.

I have one that's just longer than my knee length skirts. Because I wear jackets to work the combination of jacket + trench is just warm enough for March/April/September/October

I bought a beautiful Givenchy one around 4 years ago. I wear it all the time and it still looks amazing, the only 'fancy' bit is the gorgeous silk floral lining but apart from that it just looks classic.

I don't mind spending a lot on a classic coat as it will always be in style

Longer length here in cream. Banana Republic. Love it and get compliments when I wear it. I'm short but I think it works as it's a good, slim fit. Wear it with dresses, trousers and skirts for work but also looks nice with jeans.

I have an LK Bennett one, it's beige.

It's going strong after several years but I don't wear it every day, just on non- winter days when I need a smarter coat.

I always wear it open, I have the belt bucked behind. That's probably a style crime but it suits me!

Gap do them every now and then. You need to try them on. I had the same delusion about myself in them as you, OP, but I looked bloody awful in them - bulky and, yes, frumpy.