The Perfect Autumn Trench Coat: Why You Don’t Need a New One Every Year
There is something about autumn that makes me fall in love with my trench coats all over again.
The crisp mornings, golden leaves, cosy scarves and that little chill in the air , it is the perfect season for layering, and for me, nothing does it quite as effortlessly as a beautiful trench coat.
But here is something I have been thinking about more and more: do we really need to buy a new trench coat every autumn?
I don’t think we do.
In fact, I believe a beautiful trench coat should be an investment piece , something you buy, look after and wear for years rather than something you replace every season.
Look after what you already own
One of the simplest ways to make your clothes last longer is to take care of them properly.
I have a small collection of trench coats that I absolutely love, and I keep them stored under special garment covers when I am not wearing them. This protects them from dust and helps keep them looking fresh between seasons.
I also steam my trench coats after every wear.
It might sound like a small thing, but steaming helps to refresh the fabric, remove creases and keep the coat looking polished without constantly washing or dry-cleaning it. And, of course, the less unnecessary washing a garment has to go through, the better for both the fabric and its lifespan.
For me, this has completely changed the way I think about my wardrobe.
Instead of constantly replacing pieces, I try to take care of the beautiful things I already own.
You don’t need a new coat to create a new look
The beauty of a classic trench coat is that it can look completely different depending on how you style it.
One year, I might wear it with a chunky knit and ankle boots. The next, I can add a beautiful silk scarf, leather gloves or a completely different handbag and suddenly it feels fresh again.
Accessories can transform an outfit without requiring you to buy another coat.
A new scarf in a beautiful autumnal shade, a pair of gloves, a belt or even a different pair of shoes can give an old favourite a completely new personality.
And I think this is where we can become much more creative with our wardrobes.
Rather than asking, “What new coat should I buy this year?”, perhaps we should ask, “How can I style the coat I already have in a new way?”
My investment piece for this year
That doesn’t mean I never buy anything new.
This year, I decided to invest in a piece that I know I will wear for years to come: the Myrtle Coat from Damson Madder, a 2-in-1 trench coat.
I love the idea of a coat that gives me versatility without needing several different pieces. The 2-in-1 design means I can style it in different ways depending on the weather and the look I want, which makes it feel like a considered addition to my wardrobe rather than another impulse purchase.
For me, this is what an investment piece should be.
Something I can imagine wearing not just this autumn, but next autumn, and the one after that, and for many years to come.
Buy less, love more
I don’t think having a sustainable wardrobe means never buying anything new.
It is about being more intentional about what we buy.
If I am going to add something to my wardrobe, I want to know that I will wear it again and again. I want to be excited about it years from now, not just for one season.
And when I do find that perfect piece, I want to look after it.
My trench coats are a perfect example. I store them carefully, steam them after wearing them and give them the attention they deserve. Then, when autumn comes around again, they feel almost like new.
Sometimes, the most sustainable fashion choice isn’t buying something new.
It is taking better care of what you already own.
So this autumn, before you rush out to buy another trench coat, take a look at the one hanging in your wardrobe.
Give it a steam. Add a beautiful scarf. Put on your favourite gloves. Change your shoes. Try a new way of tying the belt.
You might discover that your perfect autumn trench coat was already there all along.
