Wondering how to style a trench coat in the changing weather? These are the 6 versatile outfits I always recommend

An enduring spring capsule wardrobe staple, the trench coat has long been a favourite among stylish women for its effortless versatility. Master the art of how to style a trench coat, and it quickly becomes the kind of piece you wonder how you ever managed without. There is no outfit that the best trench coats can't elevate, from throwing it over your gym kit, to styling it with your favourite dress or jeans and sweatshirt at weekends, it will be a chic finishing touch to every outfit. It can be dressed up or down in equal measure, whether it's for the school run or worn over date night outfits.

Once a sceptic, I've now built a veritable wardrobe of trench coats perfect for every occasion, reaching for mine as I head out the door daily, and I love how easy this timeless style is to wear. If you have the budget to invest in a designer trench coat, there is none better than the Burberry trench coat, completely iconic. The British clothing brand has a variety of cuts and colours, ranging from classic neutrals to eye-catching checks.

However, if you're looking for a more wallet-friendly alternative, the great news is that many of your favourite high street brands have equally stylish versions for a fraction of the cost. With the ability to elevate even the most basic ensemble for an instantly more polished feel, it's no wonder this item is often considered a key item when curating a capsule wardrobe.

How to style a trench coat: 6 outfit ideas

Whether you already own a timeless trench coat or you're simply wondering, 'what should I wear today?', you'll find all my top tips, tricks, and street style-inspired outfit ideas below to help you understand how to style a trench coat for maximum style points.

1. How to style a trench coat over a dress

Trench coats and dresses are a marriage made in easy outfit heaven. However, to make sure you look your best, there are some considerations to bear in mind when it comes to how to style a trench coat with your favourite frock.

Whether you're opting for a longer midi, a stylish dress to hide a tummy or an above-the-knee style, the most flattering approach is to pair your dress with a trench coat in a similar length to create a cohesive and streamlined silhouette. A midi dress will look far more chic teamed with a longline trench than one that falls at the knee, as it will draw the eye down continuously, breaking up your silhouette in multiple places, distorting your proportions.

Likewise, when it comes to a dress whose hemline sits around the knee or above it, your best option is a shorter length of trench coat. This will complement the higher hemline as it creates a unified look with a mutual finishing point for the eye to travel.

It's not just the length of your dress that you might want to consider, but the silhouette too - while a more form-fitting dress will slip easily under every coat, styling a trench coat with a full-skirted dress can be slightly trickier.

Here, it's advisable to embrace the wider proportion and highlight it with your coat by tightly belting your trench coat at the waist to create an hourglass shape. While you may want to do up the buttons across the torso, leaving the lower part undone so that it sits loosely atop the skirt will create a flattering look.

Styling tip… Want to luxe up your look? Try teaming your favourite dress with a trench coat and accessories in a similar colour for a tonal outfit.

2. How to style a trench coat with jeans

Just like jeans and a blazer outfits can look smart enough for the office when paired together, a trench coat can help to immediately make casual outfits look more polished - throw one over your best slimming jeans and sweatshirt at weekends for a chic smart casual outfit.

The structured shape of a trench coat is the perfect antidote to even your slouchiest, worn-out, lightest-washed denim, making it a great option if you're unsure about how to style wide-leg jeans. Most trench coats have a more fitted shape around the shoulders, so it's a good idea to wear a slim-fitting top underneath to avoid bulky lines, particularly if you go for a wider shaped bottom half, such as cropped wide leg or barrel leg jeans.

With a simple outfit underneath, this is the perfect time to try a coloured or printed trench coat for an elevated take on this timeless combination. The base of a jeans and t-shirt outfit makes it the perfect springboard for a bolder version of the classic trench coat, such as checks, leopard print or bright hues.

Style tip... A colourful knit worn over your shoulders adds a pop of unexpected colour to an otherwise pared-back look.

3. How to style a cropped trench coat

Love the look of trench coats, but more of a jacket person? Then the spring/summer 2026 fashion trend for cropped trench coats is one to try. A cross between a jacket and the timeless trench coat, this is a great alternative if you're of a petite stature, as the shorter hemline can help create the illusion of added height.

When it comes to how to style a cropped trench coat, the first factor to bear in mind is proportions. Blending traditional structure and tailoring with a more contemporary shape that usually finishes around the waist or sits on the hip, similar to a pea coat, this style of trench coat works well when teamed with slim-fitting trousers. Shorter versions that finish around the ribs will look fantastic over fitted dresses and slip skirts, too. I love how this style looks with my favourite Mint Velvet leopard jeans.

A belted style, whether at the waist or the hemline, will draw the eye to the area, accentuating it, but if you prefer a slightly longer fit, look for a design that finishes on or around the hip. More in keeping with the traditional trench coat, this cut is perhaps the most versatile when it comes to cropped trench coats.

Styling tip… Opt for a high-waisted lower half for your outfit to define the narrowest point of your torso and keep your look proportional.

4. How to style a long trench coat

While 2025 saw oversized trench coats emerge as the style du jour, for 2026, it's all about the length of your trench coat. Alongside cropped styles, longline silhouettes continue to be a popular choice for their versatility.

Whether you're slipping your long trench coat over a pair of jeans or your favourite dress, this elongated style creates a flattering look thanks to its streamlined shape that skims over whatever is underneath, and this design works on all body shapes.

If, like me, you're petite, don't be deterred - the key to pulling off this look is to avoid excess fabric. Look for styles that are fitted across the shoulders and don't have too much volume across the torso or the arms. You can still look for a style with a fuller A-line cut that will add a flattering skimming fit across your bottom half.

This style is great if you want to add a touch of drama to your every day style - it's also a stylish option to wear over your favourite women's trouser suit or wide leg trousers as it will create the illusion of one continuous line for the eye to travel - you can even take this one step further with Whistles grey checked trench coat this style has matching trousers available for a truly seamless look.

It's also a great option to wear with your favourite midaxi dress, as the long hemline will create a cohesive finishing point with longer length dresses, avoiding creating a jarring break as the eye travels.

Styling tip… Take inspiration from the street style set and wear your trench open. Not only will this show off your outfit underneath, but the space between the lapels acts as a window, creating a slimming effect by focusing the eye on this area.

5. How to style a trench coat for petites

When it comes to how to style a trench coat for petites, it's best to look to trench coats with a shorter hemline and more fitted shape that will highlight your petite stature, rather than overwhelming it.

Trench coats come in a variety of cuts and colours, from oversized beige longline styles to knee-length fitted forms.

If you're looking for more of a traditional style to slot into your spring capsule wardrobe, a trench coat that ends just above the knee is a classic cut that cannot be beaten. Look for a slimline fit through the body that will flatter your smaller stature.

This style looks best with a fitted pair of trousers rather than wider leg styles, as the latter can end up with fabric bunching, creating awkward proportions when the coat is done up. More fitted trousers, such as straight leg or pairs that flare from the knee, will work best with the shorter hemline.

Styling tip… For an instantly pulled together look, try wearing your trench coat with fitted indigo wash jeans and a matching dark-hued top.

6. How to style a Burberry trench coat

When it comes to how to style a Burberry trench coat, there is no single defining style rule - once you've figured out which Burberry trench coat to buy, the real fashion fun begins. With a plethora of styles to choose from, from looser longline silhouettes to shorter fitted styles and even leather versions, you're bound to find one that suits your wardrobe.

I headed to the Burberry London Flagship store to try on their most popular styles, settling on the timeless Waterloo Trench coat as my favourite. This classic style sits above or on the knee, depending on your height, making it ideal for wearing with jeans or knee-length dresses.

Of course, it's not just what you wear it over but how you wear it - for a cool, laidback look, keep your trench coat open to reveal the outfit underneath. To help it stay open, gently pull the belt ends behind you, keeping the part that sits against your back flat. Loop one end behind and then carefully tie in a loose double knot to help keep your coat open. How much it shows depends on how much you cinch the belt behind you.

Styling tip... Don't miss our guide on how to tie a trench coat, for more advice.

FAQs

Trench Coat vs Mac - what's the difference?

When it comes to shopping for outerwear, the trench coat is considered a classic wardrobe staple and for many is one of their best coats as it works with a variety of outfits.

Sezane - one of our favourite French clothing brands - has been making waves after actress Sienna Miller was spotted out and about wearing their sold-out Clyde Trench coat but did you know that this style is actually a Mac, not a Trench coat?

This single-breasted style is often labelled as a trench coat, but is technically a mac. It's just as chic and a great alternative for those who want a clean, minimalist look. So, what's the difference between the two?

A trench coat is double-breasted, usually with two rows of buttons, large lapels and has a belt at the waist, while a Mac - or Mackintosh, to give it its proper name - has a single row of buttons, no belt or lapels, and either a simple collar or none at all.

Luckily for those who love Sienna's style, the Sezane Clyde trench coat is now back in stock, so don't miss your chance to snap up this chic alternative to the trench coat tout suite.

Are trench coats in style for 2026?

"Trench coats are always a good investment and for 2026, the classic trench coat is once again in style," says our fashion editor Rivkie Baum. "In part thanks to its elegant timelessness and due to it being the backbone of a Burberry collection, when you buy a trench coat you buy into fashion history and you can pretty much rest assured that your outerwear piece will be your go-to come spring and autumn months," she says.

"While you can opt for colour or print, to ensure your trench coat lasts from one season to the next I recommend opting for a neutral colourway such as black, beige or navy, as these three hues, combined with a classic trench silhouette, will never go out of style."

Do trench coats go with everything?

One of the best things about trench coats is that they go with just about everything in your wardrobe. This is especially true if you stick to the traditional colour of light beige, as this neutral shade won’t jar against even the boldest brights or busiest of prints. However, "styling these longer coats can feel awkward after styling shorter coats for so many years," says outerwear designer Liz Williams. To make the process simple, she recommends you "add a colour pop either on top or with trousers to help break up the long line of the coat."

The shape comes into it too, and the choice of wearing undone or buttoned up means you can switch up the way you wear it depending on what you’re wearing beneath. For example, wearing your trench buttoned and belted over a chunky knit would distort your frame, while wearing it open, with the belt tied at the back, would just show off your jumper and still nip you in at the middle.

Ultimately, trench coats are super versatile and will look just as good worn with a slinky mini dress and heels as with a knitted tracksuit bottom and jumper - which is why they're one of the best coats you can own.

Our Experts

Rivkie Baum

With over fifteen years' experience, Rivkie is an accomplished fashion editor, writer and stylist. Covering international fashion weeks, and styling photoshoots all over the world, Rivkie loves translating the trends in an accessible way to make fashion available for all budgets.

Liz Williams

Outerwear Designer at The Checkroom, Liz Williams creates “Classic Inspired Statement Coats for Modern Women.” Liz is a former Instructor of Fashion Design at Columbia College in Chicago, where she educated students in fashion design, patternmaking, sewing, and fabric manipulation.