Fashion: Trench Coats - Jackie O, Audrey, Miss Moss and B

Ahhh, to have the funds to afford a classic Burberry trench; the shiny buttons, the crisp stoney beige fabric, the belt knotted oh so casually at the waist and that iconic plaid lining. Talk about an investment piece, every few years there seems to be a trench coat redux and they look sleeker and sexier.Unfortunately they cost $1000 us+ and at that point, a girl without the suitable bank balance must look for more afforable options.

Luckily for us mere mortals chainstores just keep getting kinder and kinder, the slightest glimpse of a trend on the horizon and we're given racks of garments, in every colour and variation. And of course, op shops/thrift stores are always brimming with a collection of macs, raincoats and trenches (soak your new coat in a bucket of water with a few dissolved tablespoons of bicarbonate soda and napisan over night to remove the mothball smell).


With such an iconic garment, there is a million and one ways to wear it and some wonderful places to draw inspiration.

Jackie O

+ Think Jackie Onassis, clasping the collar of her trench, gigantic sunglasses covering half her face and a beautiful colourful scarf tied around her hair. It's the casual trench coat, an after thought thrown on over a great fitting tshirt, jeans and (if you're channeling her Greek Island hopping years) a fab pair of gladiator sandals.

Audrey Hepburn/Holly Golightly

+ A classic: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's, quirky, adorable and feminine. A girl can't help but love the final scene, Holly Golightly searching for her cat in the rain, perfectly coiffed hair, kitten heels and her trench knotted at the waist, worn almost like a dress. Add a little costume jewellery (because you might be mad about Tiffany's but can't afford real diamonds), an adorable wicker bag (Audrey was photographed carrying one along with her trusty trench many times) and a sweet pink glow on your cheeks.

Gossip Girl/Blair Waldorf does Breakfast At Tiffany's

The final scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's is so iconic that Gossip Girl is doing their own interpretation (and I say interpretation because you know Holly isn't nearly as venemous as Blair Waldorf!), including Blair and Nate in matching trenchcoats and pouring (fake) rain. I've lived in Australia for far too long because my immediate thought was "What a waste of water, we're in a drought!". More pictures here

Kate Moss

+ The thoroughly modern Miss Moss (Kate that is). Not only has she had countless campaigns with Burberry but she wears their trenches frequently in that "Oh this old thing? I just threw it on when I fell out of bed and look absolutely stunning, what a surprise" way that only Kate can do. The key to her trench style is neutral colours, letting the shape and fit of the garment speak for itself, the trench coat is the centrepiece and perhaps an interesting neckline or a big vintage diamond on a finger catches the eye but it's all about the coat. Well, she is English after all!