I've Done The Research—These 21 Trench Coats Are The Epitome Of Luxury

Scrolling through my endless Pinterest folders of saved outfit ideas, celebrity images and influencer snaps, I have noticed one stand-out trend which hasn’t wavered—the classic trench coat. In its most humble form, it holds all of the heritage details of a pointed lapel, shoulder epaulettes, multiple button fastenings, plus an adjustable waist belt and wrist straps, with brands with rich histories such as Burberry and Aquascutum being the known originators of the style. Today’s most-covetable designers like The Row and Toteme are revisiting this classic outerwear piece and bringing it into the modern age, giving it a real sense of cool and desirability. As a fashion editor with 10 years in the industry, you can trust me—the trench coat is still very much a cornerstone item in many a stylish person’s wardrobe and undeniably brings about a luxurious finish to a look.

Now for a true story. Last year, I spotted (yes, on Pinterest) Hailey Bieber sporting a vintage Saint Laurent trench in a classic beige shade, teamed with a v-neck grey knit, a light blue jean, sunnies and loafers. I immediately went to eBay, searched for something similar, and lo and behold, within about thirty minutes, a vintage YSL trench was successfully in my cart and purchased. It arrived a mere few days later, and trying it on, I was a little concerned it was too big for me (I had bought a men’s large). However, with a few wears and outfit testing, I truly fell in love. It has a duster coat feel, as it’s super long and has a light paper-y weight to it. All of the heritage details are there, and the oversized fit means it doesn’t cling—I can wear various layers underneath and it feels both effortless and chic. And just like that, it has become one of my most complemented items I know I will cherish forever.

I’ve been taking a deep dive into the style-conscious women of Instagram and the street trends of the world’s most fashionable cities. The trench coat still very much reigns supreme, and if anything, the styles that the designers are offering now are stronger and more sophisticated than ever. One of the biggest appeals of the trench is the wide range of ways in which it can be styled. Try pairing it with a crisp poplin shirt, cropped cigarette trousers and heels for office days, or perhaps an easy graphic t-shirt, barrel jeans and sneakers combo for the weekend, both of which will team beautifully with a trench and speak to an understated luxury. Cropped trenches are unequivocally on the rise, but in my opinion, the elegance and breeziness of a long trench will never date.

Having bought this holy grail piece, I now feel like a purveyor of the best of the rest. I know what people should be looking for, and when it comes to a trench, only the cream of the crop will do. So, in a bid to help you find your forever piece too, I scoured the web for the best in luxury trench coats. Here is my edit of the most luxurious, the most covetable and the most chic to shop now.