As you can tell from the title of my website, I’m a thrifty girl. As such, I’m wholly reluctant to buy anything new if I think I can do without it. That’s why, when I choose to add a new item to my wardrobe it’ll always be a considered piece that’ll stand the test of time.
I want my wardrobe to work hard and for everything in it to be able to be worn in multiple ways for a variety of occasions. In short, I want to get my money’s worth when I buy an item of clothing.
If I can wear one coat or jacket throughout the seasons or combine it with different outfits, I’ll be able to wear it more regularly and therefore its ‘cost per wear’ decreases every time I use it.
This is why I usually ‘buy well and buy once‘ – if I spend a little more on an item to start with, I know the quality will be better, it’ll wash well and will last longer; I want to wear it for years, not just for seasons. I want it to last so that I’m not constantly throwing out and replacing clothing – my environmentally-conscious self couldn’t bear it.
And that’s another reason why I choose timeless designs such as this trench coat; if the style has stood the test of time so far, I know it’ll work for decades to come.
It’s practically an heirloom piece that can be passed down the generations because the style is so iconic – it has become a design classic that transcends seasons and trends.
So, I wanted to put this theory to the test and see if I can make my trench coat work throughout the seasons and for a variety of different occasions, simply by styling it differently. Here’s how I got on:
Spring style
Let’s start with the season we’re in now: Spring. And I’m kicking off with my usual everyday look: casual and colourful. I figured I needed to make this smart trench look relaxed enough to suit my laidback weekend style, as that’s probably when I’ll need to get the most amount of wear out of it.
I tried pairing it with classic jeans from Levi’s, a colourful tee and a pair of Adidas trainers – the pastel colour goes with everything at this time of year. This ensemble alone worked well to make the trench appear more casual and I removed the belt as I wouldn’t need to buckle up cosy in this weather.
Seeing as it was a sunny Spring day, I decided to roll up my jeans and turn back the cuffs on my trench to reveal the striped lining, which added another splash of colour and lend an even more chilled-out vibe. I think you can tell from the photos that I’m happy with the result and it’s a look I’ll be wearing lots this season.
Summer occasions
Now, the classic trench coat is a smart option BUT can it be styled for a special occasion? With weddings, christenings and anniversary parties filling our Summer schedule, I always need a smart blazer to top off my occasion outfits.
For this outfit, I donned my favourite formal summer dress; one I’d worn for my sister’s wedding a couple of years ago and for many parties and date nights since. I added my vintage-style shoes that go with every outfit and are so comfortable that I can easily dance the night away in them.
To change the look of the trench, I pushed the sleeves up and turned out the lapels, which gave it the look of a longline blazer, which is ideal for special occasions. The beige colour seems to go with everything, there wasn’t a dress in my wardrobe that it didn’t coordinate with.
For Summer occasions, you only really need a jacket to top off your outfit so that you look smart when you arrive and so that you can pull it on in the evening after the sun sets. I think this coat is ideal for this purpose and it saves me from having to buy a different blazer every time I’m invited to an event.
Autumn workwear
There are so many ways to style a trench coat so, to make it work during the Autumn, I’ve tried out a workwear look. It’s not often that I have to attend meetings in person these days, so I don’t really need to invest in a whole suit, but there are often times that I need to smarten up for an event.
On those occasions, I think the trench would do the job nicely. The epaulettes on the shoulder and the collared neckline lend a crisp look that’s ideal for going into the office. I like a monochrome outfit when the occasion calls for something smart so I added my black trousers and longline checked shirt (which is flannel, to make it feel a little more cosy and Autumnal).
This time I was pleased of the double-breasted button-up front and the matching buckled belt as I could bundle up warm, which would be ideal for an Autumn (or even Winter) commute. I was also chuffed to find a deep red lining inside the coat, which happened to coordinate well with my scarf (which I’ve had for about 10 years) and my one smart handbag.
So, as you can see, the timeless trench is an ideal addition to my wardrobe. With just a little bit of styling, it looks suitable for each of these occasions and it’s easily adaptable to wear throughout the seasons in most weathers; rolled cuffs for Spring, open for Summer and buttoned but for Autumn.
I hope my experiment has inspired you to check your own wardrobe and see what hard-working pieces would be ideal to add to make it work in all seasons. Let me know if you have a staple piece of classic clothing that you’ve worn time and again in the comments below; I’d love to hear your best buys for a timeless look and a low ‘cost-per-wear’.
Pin it for later
This article is a sponsored collaboration. The pink links in the content indicate a sponsored link or information source. The blog post reflects my own experience and the sponsor hasn’t had any control over my content 
