What DO I Wear?!?! The Classic Jacket Everyone Should Own

“Everyone in the world should have a trench coat, and there should be a trench coat for everyone in the world. It does not matter your age; it doesn’t matter your gender.” ~ Angela Ahrendts

I am not being dramatic when I say I have searched years (…YEARS!) for a trench coat. Trench coats are a staple piece. A classic item that everyone needs in their closet. Yet, I didn’t have one. Not for a lack of trying. I just hadn’t found the one that I wanted. That called to me and said pick me! Wear me!

Lord knows I have plenty of jackets. Leather coats, anoraks, even a cape. But a trench coat is that one jacket that is classy, chic, and versatile. If picked right it will have the duo purpose of being functional in those transitional seasons as well as going from the office to a night out.

Trenchcoat History:

Trenchcoats have had a long and varied history and fashion history. For most fashionistas a Burberry trench coat is a coveted fashion item…But I bet those fashionista’s don’t realize that it was Burberry himself who created the trench coat. No wonder they have the trench coat market!

It got its start in the late 1800s but really made it marks during world war I as an alternative to the serge coat worn by soldiers. It was first and foremost a military design (the name coming from soldiers serving in the trenches) From there it took off gaining fame from the likes of Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, to spies in Cold War thrillers to even a sex symbol represented by the likes of Marilyn Monroe.

What makes a Trench Coat so versatile? 

Unlike a winter jacket, modern trench coats are typically (but not always) lighter weight making them perfect in fall and spring. While I love being edgy and wearing my leather jacket it isn’t always practical. Trench coats are. It is also a classier version to a rain coat, being made of rain resistant material.

While originally made for officers, the design is one that is classy and chic, making it perfect from the transition of military wear to office wear.

// Trench-coat: Michael Kors // Scarf: Calvin Klien // Shirt: Anthropologie // Leggings: Lulu Lemon // Boots: American Rag // Tote Bag: Alaina Marie Bait Bag// 

My trench coat criteria: 

I had looked long and hard for a trench coat. Many of them were to bland, only buttoned or were not heavy enough for what I wanted. I had found one last year at Zara that I was in love with. Alas due to their European sizing, it was way to tight in the shoulders and way to big in the back. (struggles of being a petite girl)

Thus the search continued until a blustery day in February, I put my sanity aside and stepped into Nordstrom Rack in Union Square.

Disclaimer: 

I love Nordstrom and I love the Rack. There is one in Maine I love going to. It is neat and orderly and the crowd control is blissfully peaceful. The one in Union Square is the complete opposite. It is a jungle. A fashion jungle of crazy fashionista’s ready to rip that bargain out of your hand, and draw blood if they have too.

See why I take my sanity in my hands?

The Coat:

I was browsing around, trying to stay alive when I stumbled upon a rack of coats. I can’t resist a good jacket and when I saw they were trench coats I figured I would look, not expecting to buy one.

Oh. Em. Gee.

It was love at first sight.

Another Disclaimer: 

I am not a huge fan of Michael Kors. While I do like some stuff and loved him back in the day when he became popular, we needed to unconsciously uncouple for I could not handle seeing his logo everywhere. That said, somehow all of my jackets ARE Michael Kors. Yes universe you are hysterical.

The Coat Continued:

When I pulled it from the rack, I noticed it was lined. I had been unable to find a lined jacket (The unfortunate Zara coat aside) that would keep me warm during the windy spring months. Further more it had loads of zippers and buttons which I loved. It also had a hood, that discreetly could be zipped into the collar without anyone being the wiser and being annoyingly bulky.

I tried it on and cried, it was just a tad tight until my friend who was with me, asked what size it was.

Channeling my inner blondness I had pulled an x-small out by mistake. Taking a deep breath I grabbed a small and voila it fit. Perfectly! I looked at the price and hemmed and hawed over it, before I decided I would buy it.

I knew it was meant to be when I got to the cash register and it was further discounted!

Fashionista score!

Money’s Worth:

I think I can safely say I have already gotten my money’s worth, with the spring like days turning into summer I have been rocking this baby and loving every second of it!

What do you think of the coat? Do you like or own a trench coat?