9 Australian creatives show us how they style a trench coat

A timeless classic.

By now, the majority of us are very privy to the trench coat’s mass resurgence. A year later, and I’m still here for it. I think it’s because all the elements for an everyday outerwear staple are there: the sweeping yet cinched silhouette, an array of colour options, diversity in texturisation (leather or shearling or cotton) and the versatility of wear, all-in-one coat. Going to the markets? Summon a trench. Post-Pilates? Trench.

In pursuit of carborific resurrection on a Sunday morning? Trench. I went to the doctor’s yesterday in my new Friends with Frank Penelope Trench Coat and felt significantly better about life despite the circumstances. I was full goblin mode underneath that black, balloon-sleeved cape, but nobody knew, because I looked like a polished corporate girlie. 

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Prior to this autumn, my wardrobe has never been graced by the trusty trench, but I’m so glad to have succumbed at last. On my hunt for The One (or at least The First One), I found razor-sharp offerings from Camilla & Marc, Friends with Frank, On Parks and more. The brief for my debut trench was black with a bit of flair and it needed to be heavy-duty.

Now, I’m ready to style her up for all of the adventures that await us. If you’re tossing up whether to invest in a trench or have one but are unsure of how to style it, who better to ask for outfitting advice than a selection of sartorially-inclined Australian creatives? Here, are a few friends and fellow creatives share their ride-or-die trench coats and some en pointe trans-seasonal dressing tips.

Jessie Wong, Founder of Yu Mei

My tried and true trench is from The Row. I’ve worn this coat for years and it hasn’t failed me so far. They choose the best lightweight wools for tailoring which are great for travel. It also magically somehow pairs perfectly with every new colourway we introduce at Yu Mei.

@jessieyumeiwong

Emma Gott, Director of Emma Gott Creative

I’ve had this trusty Acne Studios trench for a few seasons now! I love that the woollen collar is detachable and quite exaggerated. It’s good to have a great coat in your arsenal that you can pop on over the most basic of outfits and still feel polished. This is one of those magic kinds of coats.

@emmagottcreative

Katianna Velos, Co-founder of Golden Groves

My trench is quite possibly my most loved piece of clothing. I love trenches for their versatility and ability to be layered with something cropped for warmer weather and something more substantial and cozy as we head into the cooler months. I’ve been wearing my faux leather chocolate trench from Incu for years and I can’t wait to add it to my autumnal wardrobe again this year.

@katvel__

Zara Wong, Head of Content and Editorial Strategy at Mecca

I love a trench coat and this is one of a few I have (I would argue that each are slightly different shades, lengths and styles! And there’s another one I’m eyeing off, so hope my partner doesn’t see this). This particular one is from Joslin. I love how it’s a deeper, slightly more golden beige than a classic trench coat which suits me more. The collar has been finished well – a flimsy collar on a trench annoys me.

It’s more relaxed and oversized which works with what’s happening in fashion at the moment, too. It’s great for weekends when you need something more trans-seasonal to just throw on over jeans and a T-shirt (as I’m wearing it here). When the weather gets cooler, I’m looking forward to wearing it with knee-high boots and a chunky knit skivvy underneath for a kind of modern ’80s look.

@zara_wong

Bianca Hill, Digital Creator

I only just picked up this Glassons trench this week, but I’m so obsessed with it! I usually would prefer to buy vintage, secondhand or designer outerwear, but I have been on the hunt for a very basic leather trench for so long, and this one ticked all the boxes for me – oversized, minimal, no bells and whistles. It goes with everything and can be dressed up or down. I can see myself getting so much wear out of this in autumn and winter with some jeans and boots (as pictured) or even dresses, pants and sneakers. You really can’t go wrong with this silhouette.

@biancaehill

Julia McCarthy, Director of Friends with Frank

I’m wearing our Friends with Frank Penelope Trench Coat from Autumn ’23. I love the balloon sleeve detail that really makes the trench feel more elevated than a classic trench silhouette. I wear the Penelope Trench belted with our rib-knit Anais set layered underneath. For those indecisive trans-seasonal days, knitwear made from breathable, natural fibres is always my go-to base layer.

@friendswithfrank

Nicole Williams, Visual Director at Stable

My go-to is the On Parks Hustle Trench. I’m obsessed with full-length pieces this season, so I love how long this is on me. It creates a bit of fashion drama which I’m so here for! Everyone needs a trench in their wardrobe because it does the dressing for you so that you don’t really need to worry too much about what’s going on underneath. They’re such great stand-alone pieces. When I do style a trench up, you’ll more than likely catch me draping it over double denim with a cap for a simple everyday look.

@nicwilliams__

Gabrielle Pearson, Director of Majella Productions

This is my best friend’s black leather trench coat that I borrow all the time! I love it because it makes any casual outfit feel badass and it’s a great one to wear for drinks out with friends. I think they got it from an op shop, which adds to the vintage feel. Black leather just never goes out of style and I live my inner Matrix dreams when I wear it. I’d also style it with a mini dress and knee-high boots, or pare things back with jeans and a tee.

@gabriellemajella

Shaakirah Samuel-Gaskin, Social Media Coordinator

My vintage Burberry trench is my baby, and I’ve abandoned all other jackets in favour of this timeless classic. I spent months scouring the internet for this secondhand gem and it was worth the wait! As a new Melbourne girlie, I’ve been layering this piece with other neutral staples for this rather unpredictable weather.

@shaakirahjustine