Few pieces work as hard as a trench coat. It dresses up denim, softens tailoring and pulls together almost any outfit in between. It is also one of the few coats that works almost year round in a Scandinavian climate: light enough for early summer evenings, layered enough for autumn. This guide covers how to choose the right trench coat and how to style it, whatever your starting point.
Choosing the right trench coat
Fit comes first. A classic trench coat sits just below the knee, with room to layer a blazer or knit underneath. An oversized cut feels more contemporary and gives you more styling options: worn open over a suit, belted over a dress, or thrown over jeans and a t-shirt.
Material matters just as much. Traditional trench coats are made from cotton gabardine, which is durable but can feel stiff. Our signature Lyocell Trenchcoat is cut from 100% lyocell (TENCEL™), a regenerated fibre made from wood pulp in a closed-loop process. The result is a fabric with a soft, fluid drape that moves with you, while keeping the structure a trench coat needs.
With denim: the everyday uniform
The fastest way to look put together on an ordinary day: straight or wide-leg jeans, a white t-shirt or fine knit, and a trench coat worn open. Keep the colour palette tight, beige over blue denim with white or cream underneath, and let the coat do the work. Trainers keep it casual; loafers or a heeled boot sharpen it for dinner.
With tailoring: the work wardrobe
A trench coat over a blazer is a classic for a reason, but proportions decide whether it looks elegant or bulky. If your blazer is oversized, choose a trench with a generous cut and wear it open. If your tailoring is slim, belt the trench to define the waist. Trousers with a pressed front and a simple leather bag complete the look without competing with it.
With dresses: from day to evening
A trench coat over a slip dress or a printed midi dress is one of the easiest evening looks there is. Belt it loosely and knot the belt at the front rather than buckling it; it reads relaxed rather than rigid. In summer, a trench over a light dress and sandals carries you from office to dinner without a change.
A note on stripes and statement versions
Once you own a classic beige trench, a statement version earns its place. Our Striped Trenchcoat takes the same silhouette in a graphic stripe, which works best with the rest of the outfit kept quiet: white shirt, straight jeans, simple shoes. Let one piece speak at a time.
The belt: three ways
How you close a trench coat changes its character. Fastened at the waist with a brooch, it is polished and classic. Knotted at the front, it is relaxed and modern, and the most common styling you will see today. Tied at the back so the coat hangs open, it creates a clean, elongated line that flatters every silhouette.
Caring for your trench coat
A good trench coat should last many years. Air it between wears instead of washing, steam rather than iron, and always follow the care label. Lyocell responds particularly well to steaming and recovers its drape quickly.
Ready to find yours? Explore our full trench coat collection, designed in Sweden and produced in Europe.