Look stylish in any shower with these trendy trench coats for Spring

As sure as spring follows winter, showers define the months of March and April. It may be brighter with ever more daylight and temperatures gradually rising, but there is still plenty of rainfall.

That is why a trench coat is probably the hardest-working item in your wardrobe and is deserving of careful consideration when choosing a new one.

A camel gabardine is the classic trench with Burberry still the go-to brand for purists, but with their classic Waterloo trench retailing for over €2000, they are a luxury reserved for the very well-heeled.

If you are looking to buy a trench for a more modest price, however, there is plenty of choice this season. Retailers including H&M, Cos, & Other Stories, Mango, Massimo Dutti and Arket are offering stylish trenches with a fashionable edge and enough classic styling to ensure longevity.

And a trench coat that lasts is essential, as it is potentially always trench coat weather in Ireland, regardless of the season.

The success of the trench as a wardrobe staple lies in its perfect blend of fashion and function, which is why designers return to it season after season. As the recent Brown Thomas show which featured trenches from The Row, McQueen and Dries Van Noten also showed it is a piece that looks enduringly elegant. It remains a timeless piece which can elevate everything from workwear to weekend looks with ease.

This season, there is a trend for longer trench coats after Chloé showed a dramatic floor-sweeping style for Spring Summer 2025. Oversized silhouettes are also key, with strong shoulder lines and a relaxed slouchy fit. These longline silhouettes can be harder to carry off, so those of a petite build will be delighted to hear that shorter versions are also available. A cinched waist courtesy of a statement belt adds instant definition and a dash of glamour to any trench.

While the shade of the season Mocha Mousse is the perfect trench shade, there are other classic colour options, including brown, tan, beige, navy, and khaki. If buying with an eye to longevity, a classic beige or stone shade will never date and will pair with everything in your wardrobe. When shopping, remember that fashion-forward iterations of the trench are generally not as versatile or as enduring as the definitive traditional style.

Classic trench details like storm flaps, tabs, epaulettes, and welt pockets remain the signature of the coat as they just do not date. See how Arket has taken some of these and incorporated them into other garments this season for a clever spin on trench dressing. Their A-line midi skirt with trench detailing, including wrap closure with buttons, slanted side pockets with flaps, and a belt (€119), creates an original look, while the coordinating chinos (€99) can be styled with the belt from the trench itself.

A trench is an essential outer layer to allow you to start wearing your spring buys, safe in the knowledge that you and they are protected. While a winter coat can look overly heavy with a spring dres,s pairing one with a lighter trench looks totally appropriate for this transitional bridge between seasons.

The mystique of the trench coat hasn’t faded and remains a large part of its allure. Endorsed by icons like Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, Ellen Barkin, Marlene Dietrich, and Meryl Streep, it should be an essential element of any modern wardrobe.

So next time you are caught in a downpour,  channel those femme fatales and cinch your belt,  pop your collar against the rain and thrust your hands deep into the pockets of your trusty trench, safe in the knowledge that while it will always rain in Ireland, you will always look stylish despite those showers.

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