It’s nearly winter but Melbourne’s constantly hitting an overnight low of 10 degrees so I guess winter’s already here. I like winter and I like winter fashion because it gives me the excuse to wear a trench coat (my most favorable piece of item in my closet). I like the shapes, the little things like epaulettes, cuffs, flaps that make up the clean and distinctive appearance of a trench. The 21st century has really embraced the trench coat as a classic and fashionable garment. Traditional beige trench coats are typically warm, highly durable, light and flexible in comparison to other bulky coats and jackets. So what’s not to love about them? I find it to be extremely versatile and fitting, although the intent is to wear them during the winter season, there are always new designs flooding in specifically made for all sorts of weather conditions.
One of my favorite fashion designers, Christopher Bailey, is responsible for the birth of trenches in the modern era. Bailey’s edgy style has kept up with contemporary fashion trends yet still maintains a sense of sophistication with every design he produces. Not only is the iconic trench sold exclusively in Burberry stores, it has rapidly expanded to many fashion outlets. Prominent designers such as Miuccia Prada and Issey Miyake are amongst the many who’ve adopted the garment and developed their own range of stylistic coats. Trench coats appear in all sorts of designs…now with more color, less materials, more materials etc.
![burberry-trench-coats[1]](http://monicasutrisna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/burberry-trench-coats1.jpg)
Biker, scrunchy dress and studded sleeve trench
Designs with patterns and varying use of materials (top right looks like silicon sleeves and flaps with thick gold-trimmed pockets)
Transparent coats. Last one is a crazy design by artist Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton
Bailey’s metallic and glossy designs
Short, sleeveless and cape designs
How whacky is this! One of Gary Harvey’s interestingly creative designs for an eco-friendly couture fashion show called The Green Shows. Consisting of 18 trench coats (now that’s heavy) you might want read more about it here.
