Gettin' Down with the 'Trenches'

I have to admit I was a little surprised to see so many Trench Coats recently on the runways of New York Fashion Week, worn by celebrities out on the streets, and the highlights of fashion blogs and news. When I think of trench coats I think of Inspector Gadget, Harriet the Spy, and Dancing in the Rain, my roommate on the other hand immediately thought of war trenches (hence the title she came up with)!?

Trench Coats have been around forever but they have gotten much more stylish over the years. In my opinion, the Trench Coat has become a staple in ones wardrobe. It is a multi-functional piece that isn't quite as heavy as a peacoat but protects from the elements on those gloomy days that come in the winter and the fall. These days though you don't have to look like you're about to go out and solve a mystery or crack a case, you can simply look stylish and cute as you strut your stuff down the street. In fact, these coats have much more detail in their construction that can make them quite pricey. For example, this trench coat at J Crew is priced at over $1,000! Here is the description as to why ...

Designers such as Dior, Donna Karan, Fendi, Burberry, and many others recently sent their versions of the Trench Coat down the runways....

Here are some ways that celebrities have taken these runway styles and applied them to their everyday looks...

But no worries, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to avoid looking like Inspector Gadget. I have found some pretty cute styles that fit into our college lifestyles and leave you with some extra cash for the weekends...

If you're looking for a quality coat that you plan on keeping in your wardrobe, then I would suggest splurging just a bit, this J.Crew trench coat costs $298, but keep good care of if and you'll have it for life! And hey, only 83 days until Christmas, maybe these coats should be on your wish list?

Modcloth.com has this adorable pleated trench (to the left) priced at $180. (This is my personal favorite!)



New York & Co has this fun cape sleeved trench coat for $90! The cape sleeve is another popular trend to look out for!






If these prices are still too steep, Target has a wide range of coats from $30 to $60. They also have some great patterns such as this plaid coat below.

Another great place to look for reasonably priced coats is H&M. You may not be able to shop online, but look up their nearest location, make a shopping trip out of it, and you won't be disappointed with their merchandise!

While I was catching up on my style news I also stumbled upon something kind of fun for us all! The New York Times was featuring Trench Coats in their Street Style section where readers could submit their version of the popular coat. So be sure to upload a picture of your trendy self once you're gettin' down with the trenches!







Author: Courtney