Fall Essentials - Trench Coat

Everywhere you look there are trench coats. Every designer, store and runway show have variations of the jacket. This is one of the looks that I love for the fall, mainly due to it be a utilitarian fashion trend.

Living in Los Angeles, I do not have a use for a full cashmere trench coat (except for the business trips), but I do have a use for a rain trench coat. I think the look is very sophisticated, with or without a full suit and can be very versatile this fall and winter. I do think that the trench coat looks best with a tie, or at a button-down and sweater combo.

Aside from the rain trench coat, the other trench coat that you will see in stores is trench with a large collar and toggle clasps. Burberry makes a cool version of this trench. I think this jacket makes more sense for cool weather cities as it needs to be wool or cashmere to look good.

When picking out a trench, be sure it is tailored and slim. Make sure it has large lapels and plenty of buttons or toggles. It should have a nice modern fit and hit you on your thigh above your knee. In the rain coat version it should be double breasted, in the toggle version the toggles should be interesting, large and wooden.

This is a fall fashion that will be cool to wear now and useful to wear in all future seasons.

It is time to start thinking about Fall clothes

Believe it or not, its time to think about fall, not because the weather change is eminent, but because in the fashion world, the fall clothes are in stores. I like seeing the new seasons clothes, the selections that are available at stores and then make a mental list of what each store is presenting as their trends for the season, what the trends are at each store and what the universal trends that are at every store. I then filter the trends that I see at stores through my own personal style barometer, what trends do I like? What articles of clothing are cool? What articles of clothing are universal? What articles of clothing are so unique that I must pick it up this season, or can I wait for the item to go on sale?

That is probably what I like more than anything else, making a mental list of the pieces in stores that I want to buy and then making a decision will this be around in two months on the sale rack? Or do I need to think about buying it now? If I think I might need to buy it now, I need to decide if I can find it at another store (for cheaper) or if it will be around in another season. If it is truly unique, that is when I pick it up. If it is not, then I will wait for it to go on sale. Most of the time I wait... sometimes I get disappointed, but usually I can pick it up on sale.

Over the next few days I will be posting my take on the fall trends and styles. There are some things I love, others can wait, others we can forget about all together. But I will share my thoughts and opinions.