As I write this, it will come as no surprise to hear there’s a flurry of rain outside my window. The British weather may be unpredictable year-round, but this particular period—early spring—tends to deliver its own unique mix of downpours, sharp breezes and the occasional misleading burst of sunshine. With that in mind, there’s one item I have been reaching for every day: a timeless trench coat, light enough for sunnier days yet warm and protective enough for those unpredictable showers.
A classic trench coat is the ultimate transitional investment piece, and it’s no surprise that it has been a go-to for stylish women everywhere for decades and just this week has been seen on our favourite A-listers including Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Riley Keough. While they work beautifully layered during the colder months, trench coats also make the perfect lightweight cover-up when the weather still hasn’t quite made up its mind.
Take Hailey Bieber, who recently stepped out in a classic pair of blue jeans with a white tee, black flip-flops and a baseball cap — the perfect school-run look or an easy weekend outfit. Riley Keough proves you don’t need to forgo your summer dresses if you’ve fully shifted into bare-leg mode; simply layer with a shorter trench style. And if you’re like Daisy Edgar-Jones and really feeling the chill, digging out your ankle boots and layering your favourite knit over your shoulders should do the trick.
Whatever you're looking for, one thing is certain: a well-cut trench coat will be one of the hardest-working pieces in your wardrobe, all-year-round. Timeless, versatile and endlessly wearable, it’s the kind of investment piece you’ll reach for season after season. From affordable high-street finds to designer forever pieces, I’ve scoured the shops to bring you the very best trench coats to buy now.
Shop The Best Trench Coats
This is hands-down the coolest trench of the season, featuring a dramatic (and bang-on-trend) funnel neck.
If you like a heavier-gauge trench coat, Me+Em's wool-blend style fits the bill. It will fall elegantly but, crucially, not crease once you slip it on.
Khaki green gives this technical trench a hint of edge, and a stylish point of difference. The best part, though? It's designed with a layered construction so it can perform multiple functions if your day-to-day wardrobe.
The classic silhouette, along with an elegant lower-calf hemline, makes this particular trench coat a winner for everyday dressing.
Black offers a versatile and ultra-wearable alternative to light brown and beige tones. It won't get (visibly) dirty quite so quickly, either.
Prefer your wardrobe classics with a bit of a fashion-forward twist? This Arket scarf-detail trench ticks all the boxes—and despite being more trend-led, will never not be the height of cool.
This cropped trench coat offers a playful twist on the classic silhouette, and looks particularly stylish with the collar turned up into a funnel-neck style.
For a more pared-back, minimalist look, Burberry's classic Camden trench is a guaranteed winner—and one that you'll wear endlessly for years to come.
The suede trend is still having a moment, so why not try a soft-touch trench coat to tap into it?
Looking for an alternative approach to the classic trench coat? This fresh bubble-sleeve trench looks seriously chic—and it's an influencer favourite.
Maje's trench comes with a little rock'n'roll energy courtesy of stud details, plus a handy removable collar.
If you're in a position to make a hefty investment purchase, you can't do much better than The Row. The cult brand's just-dropped take on the classic trench features a shorter cut, storm flaps, buttoned epaulettes and a waist-cinching belt—and it's destined to be a sell out.
