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How To Choose a Womens Trench Coat

Updated on December 7, 2014
Contemporary Trench Coat in Red
Contemporary Trench Coat in Red

Fashionable Trench Coats are always Hot!

Trench Coats are an eternal classic coat style, highly visible on the catwalks and a ‘hot’ item for girls with attitude. In particular, Kate Middleton, the future Queen of England, adores them and was photographed wearing a smart trench coat on an official visit to Northern Ireland.

Remember, with the economic situation being tight, this is a great time to find some real bargains on the web.

The trench coat originated as a military uniform worn by British and French soldiers during World War I on battlefields of France. It was developed as an alternative to the heavy serge greatcoats being worn at the time.

The original coat was double breasted with a D-ring fitted plus Napoleon collar, shoulder straps and a belt and was more suited to the extreme damp, muddy conditions of the trenches than the original greatcoat.

The shoulder straps were for the attachment of military epaulets or other rank insignia and the D-ring was probably for the attachment of map cases.

Not something we women need these days with Google Maps on the iPhone! Many veterans returning to civilian life kept their trench coats. The style therefore became fashionable for both men and women after the war.

Who Invented the Trench Coat?

People have been wearing trench coats ever since so, while style details such as length and cut may change with the seasons, the fundamental features remain intact.

The Invention of the trench coat has been claimed by both Burberry and Aquascutum.

Thomas Burberry, the inventor of the gabardine waterproof fabric used in the original, submitted a design for an army officer's raincoat to the United Kingdom War Office in 1901.

Victoria Beckham wearing today's take on the Trench from Burberry
Victoria Beckham wearing today's take on the Trench from Burberry

Modern Makeover

You can see how the trench coat design became feminised, by looking at the trench coats worn by Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca" and Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Trench coats continue to look great on women, regardless of seasonal trends such as changes in length or silhouette.

The latest Ladies Trench has been given a modern makeover. It is shorter, foxier and more casual, typically cut above the knee and is made of lighter fabrics than the originals.

As well as more traditional classic shades of black, grey, beige, navy or camel, a girl can also make more of a statement by wearing brighter shades such as red, coral, green, yellow or even a leopard print.

The sleeves are often worn rolled up, ruched or gathered. Some designs have sleeves already cropped.

Note: this article is the copyright of Gina Coole and if it appears on any website other than Hubpages.com then it has been stolen.

Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffanys' wearing a Trench Coat
Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffanys' wearing a Trench Coat
Modern Femme Fatale, Megan Fox shows how seductive a longer Trench can be
Modern Femme Fatale, Megan Fox shows how seductive a longer Trench can be

Femme Fatal

With a longer, more substantial Trench, you can go for the Femme Fatale Fashion Look. You aim to make men think you’re hot but not that you’re cheap or tarty.

So what is a Femme Fatale? Film buffs argue endlessly about the precise definition and, anyway, the interpretation changes with the decades.

Originally the femme fatale adorned Film Noir (in black and white) with delicious coats, fabulous dresses and gowns, a long cigarette, often in a holder, and the occasional gun.

She was the gangster’s moll, the bad girl on the bar stool or the sinister sound of high heels on the sidewalk.

She had a fabulous figure and legs to die for. Above all she was a siren and a seducer.

So what does a Femme Fatale wear? On the mean streets of Chicago or New York you’ll find her in the shadows typically clothed in a long Trench Coat or a fur with a smart hat.

When a guy helps her out of the coat, it revels long slinky, figure-hugging gowns with gloves above the elbow, stockings and high heels.

Whether blond, redhead or brunette, there is something of the night about the Femme Fatale. Her clothes are typically black or fiery red and when she sits her slinky ankle length gown parts seductively revealing fabulous black stockinged legs.

Femme Fatale, Christina Ricci Showing us the sexier side of the Trench!
Femme Fatale, Christina Ricci Showing us the sexier side of the Trench!
Kate Middleton looking Fabulous in a White Trench Coat
Kate Middleton looking Fabulous in a White Trench Coat

Fashionable Trench Coat

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