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've just ordered one from eBay as I'm going to a fancy dress party as Michelle Dubois from 'allo 'allo. I'm hoping I'll wear it lots after too, sans beret obviously

i wear mine all the time at this time of year. It's not supposed to be a warm coat, really, it's not something you wear in deepest winter generally. Mine does keep me dry which is a big plus, hence wearing it in the rainy season(s).

Mine is Ralph Lauren and is knee length, so I can only wear it with trousers/jeans. I'm planning on getting another one in the sales this year or early next year so that I have a longer one as well.

I also bought a second hand Burberry mid-calf one. It made me look like a beige caterpillar (5ft 3, E-cup) so I sold it about 2 weeks ago. It got so dirty too! So much dry-cleaning.

My Mum has two Burberry ones (one has a detachable warm lining and was bought second hand 25 yrs ago, the other is a fairly standard one she bought new in the 60's / 70's). I had one from Debenhams and another long one, but more a general mac style rather than a trench from TK Maxx.

I'm 5'10", a 32F chest and have a relatively short body. None of them look right on me. Belted coats don't sit right and double breasted just adds bulk where I don't need it. It's a shame as they do look great on some people.

I've got a grey knee length one (I look awful in beige). It's beautiful quality, but I hardly ever wear it. That's because it's only useful when it's a little bit cold and raining only slightly, and I'm wearing the right accompanying clothes: generally slim trousers.

It's too smart to wear with casual clothes, so it only ever gets used, rarely, for work. It looks frumpy with dresses and most skirts.

I'd advise getting a relatively light fabric. Anything heavier looks bulky because the storm flap etc. just kind of sits there.

I got a brand new navy Aquascutum one in a charity shop in west London for £90. It's very nice, but I don't wear it very often as it's not warm.

I dream of looking like Audry Hepburn in a trench but my ludicrous bosom means that I look like I'm wearing a dressing gown. I'm afraid I don't think you can do that chic belted-trench-with-the-collar-up thing unless you are small of tit.

M&S have a great camel coloured trench coat/raincoat, v stylish and with a hood. £99. Go and take a look.

I have one and it looks lovely on, but I don't wear it very much. It needs a dry, not-warm-not-cold day when I'm feeling semi-smart. Doesn't come around very often . I just find I tend to sling on something less structured 90% of the time, I like slouchy, loose, snuggly things really.

Mine is green and quite simple, got it from a charity shop but it was new - think it was probably a department store end-of-line. It really suits my figure as I've got a very slim top half and slightly curvy hips.

I have two - a knee-length one from George at ASDA, and a hip length one from M&S Autograph / charity shop. Both light beige.

I wear them quite often, as they are great for spring/autumn, but neither of them are particularly good quality. The M&S one is very thin and crinkly. I might have to treat myself to a better quality one.

I had an ancient black Burberry one I wore all the time but I left it in a hotel and never got it back.
I've got two lesser beings now but agree with pps that they're not the most useful of coats.
Not very waterproof, don't have hoods, not actually that warm. Also, you have to work out how to tie them for your shape.
When you get them right, they do make you feel classic and capable but they are a bit of a faff really.

I have a mid-calf camel one, and think it looks good with skinny jeans or shortish skirts and opaque tights. I wear it mainly in spring, it's too cold for it now already.

Light (classic) is best

Have been wearing them for 20 years, had some from Next, H&M, and Hobbs

I like knee length as that works best with a skirt,/ bare legs. Think they look good over skinnies too.

Think they are very flattering if you are small boobed with a waist .

I've got at least five trenches but rarely wear them as we live abroad and the climate just isn't trench coat friendly!

I use to wear them all the time in the UK. Perfect as it rains lots, mildish temperature etc.

They instantly look smart and can make you look slimmer (always my prerogative) with the belt tied.

I'm 5'4 FWIW

I have one - a Burberry with liner which was given to me as a present by my mum about 20 years ago. Not really my style so I've only worn it a handful of times. Problem is that it is such a classic that I can't bring myself to get rid of it.

I just got out my Zara trench that I bought 5 years ago. Knee length.

I wear it all the time at the moment. With black skinnies and a jumper or t shirt depending on the weather.

Navy blue one from M&S here. Wear it loads at this time of year, particularly for work.

I had one for years and totally loved it. Then I became very fat and could not wear it any more, so I gave it away. Now I've lost most of that weight I so regret giving my trench-coat away.

I think they're a classic that keeps coming back into fashion, and the right one will always look good.

But it has to be the right one, cut well, not skimpily. If you have lush womanly curves, then you need one that has been designed to take that into account, like a ladies' Burberry or Aquascutum. If you're less curvaceous then you can get away with a straighter (and often cheaper) cut.

I like the longer coats. Yes, generally better for a taller woman, but, again, the right cut will look good on a shorter woman. It's about the amount of fabric: too much overloads the shorter person.

A good cut will give you a lovely, clearly defined silhouette, and not crush your smart work clothes.

Trench-coats are rarely truly waterproof, but, if you get one with a good, dense weave, you can proof them at home with something like Grangers' or Nikwax's products.

@Diamonddealeroncemore get it shortened . It would cost you £40 max and then it would be perfect . If you get a fab tailor no one would know the difference .

I'm waiting on my jaeger beige one being delivered! Brand Alley £90.00!

You have to be tall and slim to pull them off. Or small and slim.

I've been interested in getting a trench for ages but have never quite found The One somehow - there's always something wrong with the ones I look at. Either the shade of colour or looks like to much material (I really hate the full-skirt style ones, much prefer the classic straight up and down look), length, fabric ...
I am also short and large of nork and so I have a lingering suspicion at the back of my mind that the fault I'm finding in all these trenches comes down to how they would wear on me. Which is to say, badly.

.... and that's a shame because a trench would be absolutely perfect for me for work, very practical and I'd wear it every day for about 7-8 months a year.