Kate Middleton's timeless trench coat is the autumn staple that I'm copying to look elegant in the bank holiday rain
A trench is a versatile option for this transitional time of year and the structured silhouette elevates even the simplest outfit
We're finally entering jacket and coat season, but it's still not cold enough to be bundled up in thick layers, making trenches our new best friend. They're lightweight, often water-resistant and the classic structured style instantly gives autumn outfit ideas an extra level of sophistication.
The Princess of Wales relies on them a lot and one of her most beautiful coats was her Burberry Littleton wool-blend trench from March 2011. She wore it for a rainy day of engagements in Belfast and with the forecast very showery in the UK for the foreseeable future, I'm definitely taking some inspiration from her.
Kate didn't let the weather dampen her spirits and she looked chic in this stone-toned coat, which had all the traditional details you'd expect.
Shop Timeless Trenches
Classic, versatile and cotton-rich, this M&S trench is an outerwear piece you'll live in through autumn and then again in spring. It comes in regular and petite versions and has a double-breasted design with secure buttons. The tie belt means you can accentuate your waist and there's added stretch.
The Princess of Wales's exact Burberry trench isn't available any more, but the brand has so many other stunning pieces, including this mid-length Chelsea coat. It's an investment piece with meticulous attention-to-detail. Made from 100% cotton for a breathable finish, it's got Burberry check lining and epaulettes.
Next's shower-resistant trench is affordable and comes in this light neutral tone like the Princess's coat. It features a notched lapel collar, a double-breasted button fastening and an adjustable waist belt. There's a single storm flap and the design is finished with a comfortable lining.
Barbour is particularly known for their waxed jackets but this trench is a gorgeous design too. The material is lightweight and showerproof, and the silhouette is double-breasted. There's a self-tie belt to cinch the waist and the back flap has a tartan lining.
The Trench by M&S is double-breasted and crafted from cotton twill for a structured fit. It's finished with their Stormwear technology to make it shower resistant and there's a checked pattern on the lining and an internal chest pocket. The belt is detachable and has a faux leather buckle and buttons.
Cropped trenches like this are on-trend right now and they're particularly great for pairing with trousers, jeans and skirts. This one from H&M is designed to be oversized and is made from cotton twill. It's got a buttoned storm flap at the front, raglan sleeves and a detachable waist belt.
It featured epaulettes on the shoulders, belted cuff straps and a gun flap on the front. All of these elements are what gives trenches their distinctive, polished look and the Princess's also had a frill on the bottom hem.
The contrast between the femininity and the structure was stunning and although Kate favours longline outerwear now, this coat fell to her knees.
She styled it with a black dress the same length, tights and knee-high boots. This was a clever move and the key to styling a trench coat with dresses is to try and roughly match the hemlines. For example, if you're wearing a midi or maxi-length frock then a longer coat will echo this streamlined, leg-elongating shape.
Shorter pieces tend to work better with shorter coats as everything again looks very cohesive. If you're someone who prefers wearing jeans or trousers then this isn't so much of a factor, as both cropped or long trenches pair well with them.
Belted designs are great for accentuating the waist and also bring more of a formal edge. The future Queen's signature style is smart-casual anyway and she was undertaking engagements with Prince William, so wanted this elevated feel.
Kate's coat was made from a wool blend, though plenty of trenches are either fully waterproof or water-resistant and this is a practical feature worth keeping in mind if you're looking to add one to your collection. In Belfast, the Princess carried an umbrella when the rain started and she kept her trench fastened for warmth.
This stone colour is one of the most popular shades for trench coats alongside camel, though a plain black design is equally versatile. Neutrals go with everything and with jackets and coats, this is even more important because you want to be able to mix and match them with a variety of ensembles without worrying about clashing.
Minimalism is a big autumn/winter fashion trend and the Princess of Wales's 2011 trench fits this to a tee. The rest of her outfit was also pared-back, but you could also go for rich autumnal colours with a beige coat, like burgundy or olive green.
