Despite the scenic snow and ice from the past couple of days, the main goal for those who have to bear the chill is keeping warm. From walks to class across campus to quick trips to the mall, having outerwear that can be deemed as both stylish and functional is the ideal thought at the moment, and the classic trenchcoat has definitely risen to being considered the “it” coat.
Although the wearing of the trench has not lessened much over the course of time, men both on the runway and covering the street style sector of fashion have been spotted more frequently this season with some of the best renditions of the classic trenchcoat. With fashion evolving so quickly over time, the ways to wear the trench have broadened to various genres of style with the basic design of the coat remaining consistent. Hipsters, minimalists, grunge-wearers and preps alike can all claim the trenchcoat as a wardrobe staple for the season, each with his own stylistic flair.
Style enthusiast Denarius McMeans sports his knee-length Botany 500 trench raincoat during a frigid stroll with his pup during Wednesday’s snowfall. Botany 500 is typically known for being an advocate for the traditional design of the trenchcoat with the original khaki coloring and the separate back yoke (more commonly called the “storm flap”) for protection from the weather; but like I stated earlier, he applies his own stylistic opinion to this standard piece by layering it with a denim Levi jacket and matching it with a camouflage scarf and denim/aztec printed Obey cap.
Celebrities such as Kanye West and Scott Disick are no strangers to the fashion industry and have also unquestionably taken to the trenchcoat for both their spotlight and casual looks. Kanye’s knee-length rabbit fur coat by Givenchy has become an everyday staple for him during his daily outings as well as fashion and awards shows.
Not only has the trenchcoat proven its worth in regards to style, it has also created a reputation for functionality. The main thing that the average man looks for when shopping for outerwear is actually not the style or fashion of the coat; it is the coat’s ability to live up to what it claims to do. The trenchcoat, first introduced to the British and French soldiers of the First World War by Burberry, was used by the soldiers for insulation and also as a waterproof guard against the weather. Though there are slight variations to the coat, the main variant being the variety of fabrics used to make them such as wools and twill rather than the standard gabardine that was customary at the time. Those same expectations of the coat by soldiers then are definitely very present of men today.
