How to style a trench coat: 6 outfits for sunny spring days

An iconic and versatile item, ask any stylish woman what coat she relies on regularly and the answer is bound to be a trench. Once you've mastered how to style a trench coat to complement your favourite looks, you’ll question how you ever lived without one.

With its ability to pull together even the most basic of ensembles for an instantly polished feel, it's no wonder this item is often considered to be a founding item when it comes to curating a capsule wardrobe.

A trench coat can be dressed up or down equally - whether you're pairing it with your most comfortable jeans and trainers during the day or looking for the perfect outerwear for date night outfits, the timeless trench coat will be the finishing touch to every outfit. With a year-round appeal, I find myself reaching for mine as I head out the door on a daily basis, and I love how easy it is to wear.

If you're looking to invest in a trench coat that will last for years to come, the pinnacle of chic is without a doubt a trench coat from British fashion brand Burberry. The heritage brand is known for their wide array of styles and is a celebrity favourite, with stars ranging from Madonna to Geri Halliwell spotted wearing the brand's iconic trench coats.

Whether you're wondering which Burberry trench coat to buy, or you already own a timeless trench but are unsure about how to wear it it, you'll find top tips, tricks and street style-inspired outfit ideas below to help you get more from your belted jacket.

How to style a trench coat: 6 outfit ideas

1. How to style a trench coat over a dress

Trench coats and stylish dresses to hide a tummy work really well together, but you do need to make some considerations when it comes to the cut and length of each item in order to nail how to style a trench coat with every outfit.

The first thing to consider when pairing a dress with a trench coat is the hemlines of both - the most flattering approach is to pair your dress with a trench coat in a similar length. 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, without a break that could otherwise distort your proportions.

Likewise, if you're wondering how to wear a trench coat with a dress whose hemline ends around the knee or above it, you're best opting for a shorter style of outerwear that will complement the higher hemline as it creates a cohesive 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 is slightly trickier.

Here, it's advisable to tightly belt your trench coat at the waist to highlight the shape. While you may want to do up the buttons across the torso, leave the lower part undone to that it sits atop the skirt to highlight the hourglass shape.

Styling tip… For an extra luxe look to your trench coat and dress outfit, try keeping your outfit in similar tones.

2. How to style a trench coat with jeans

If you're looking for a way to instantly smarten up even the most simple of outfits, it's time to reach for your trench coat. Just as 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 pulled together.

The structured shape 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. As the top half of your trench is more fitted, consider wearing slim fitting tops underneath, particularly if you go for a wider shaped bottom half, such as barrel leg jeans.

With a simple outfit underneath, why not 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.

Styling tip… Take inspiration from the street style set and wear your trench open so you can see all of your jean-based outfits beneath. Not only will this show off your trench coat outfit underneath but the space between the lapels acts as a window, creating a slimming effect by focusing the eye on this area.

3. How to style a leather trench coat

If you're wondering how to style a trench coat for the evening, a great way to add a touch of luxury to your outfit is with a version in a more luxurious and tactile fabric such as duchesse satin, suede or leather.

Both suede and leather trench coats have been having a resurgence in recent seasons, but 2025 has seen glossy, patent versions at the fashion fore in particular. This high-shine finish gives the leather trench coat a contemporary feel and with a variety of colours other than just black such as burgundy, grey and olive green, there is a version for everyone.

If you're stepping out in a leather trench coat during the day, let it be the standout piece in your outfit. While it may be tempting to slip it over your favourite Mint Velvet leopard jeans, instead try belting it tightly at the waist over pared-back separates such as a pair of slimming jeans, one of your best cashmere jumpers and trainers or classic courts to keep it looking chic, rather than cheap.

Styling tip… Finish with a pair of oversized sunglasses for an off-duty model feel.

4. How to style an oversized trench coat

One of the key fashion spring summer trends 2025 to emerge was the oversized trench coat. Seen on the catwalks of Chloe, Gucci and Carven, this is one catwalk trend that's easy to adopt. However, there are a few things to consider when styling trench coat outfits in an oversized cut.

The easiest way to try this trend is simply sizing up - by going up one or two sizes, you will immediately add the insouciant slouch that this trend brings to mind. However, if you're petite, it's important to make sure that you don't go too slouchy or you risk drowning in fabric. In this case, take a tip from the Chloe catwalk and instead, look for a trench coat with fitted shoulders and a fuller a-line cut that will add the oversized element lower in the silhouette. You can trust Marks & Spencer's coats to come up trumps every season and this longline style is an ideal example of a slightly oversized trench coat that won't swamp you.

When it comes to styling an oversized trench coat, it's best to avoid too many fabrics underneath, instead focus on simple lines and tailored shapes such as slim leg trousers or a fitted dress to complement this dramatic style. If you want to take a tip from Gucci catwalk, team your oversized trench with wide leg jeans. While this may go against the advice to wear fitted clothing underneath, the continuation of the line from the trench coat along the outer leg of the jeans creates a fluid silhouette - just make sure to keep your top half fitted to avoid awkward bulky shapes.

Styling tip… To keep your outfit unfussy, swap your cross body bag for a shoulder bag to stop the extra fabric bunching awkwardly.

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 shapes to knee-length fitted forms. In recent years, a popular style to emerge has been the cropped jacket take on this classic overcoat. Perfect for adding to your spring capsule wardrobe, this hip length style is ideal for those who are 5'3" and under.

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

Alternatively, hip-length fit is the perfect foil to one of this season's surprise denim trends 2025, the flare and bootcut. By finishing at the hip, the jacket highlights the fitted shape of the denim at this point and around the thighs before echoing the widening silhouette of the jeans, the in-and-out nature of this shape resembles an hourglass, drawing attention to the slimmest parts of your figure and creating balance, particularly for pear shapes.

Styling tip… Feel self-conscious in a shorter hemline? Adding a longline trench in the mix will look instantly glam and help you feel more confident.

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 styles, you're bound to find one that suits your wardrobe.

At the Burberry AW25 fashion show during February's London Fashion Week, the FROW naturally all wore Burberry, with many celebrities choosing to don one of the brand's iconic style, each proving that when it comes to how to style a Burberry trench coat, there's a wide variety of options - even down to how to tie a trench coat.

Heiress Nicky Hilton-Rothschild chose to wear hers open over a Burberry checked dress, while both Geri Halliwell and Jerry Hall belted theirs, albeit in two very different ways. The former Spice Girl opted for a prim and proper buttoned-up look with a neatly threaded belt that created a straight up-and-down silhouette while model Jerry Hall criss-crossed the lapels but left hers unbuttoned so that by tightly belting hers she could create a more A-line shape for a touch of rock'n'roll cool.

Proof, if ever you needed it, that there truly is a Burberry trench coat for everyone!

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 mislabelled as a trench coat but is 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 it's 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 de suite!

Are trench coats in style for 2025?

"Trench coats are always a good investment and for 2025, 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 month," 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, in 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.