The coat style that never goes out of fashion and how best to wear it this spring, according to experts
THIS time of year can be tricky to dress for, with the weather being glorious one moment and cold again the next, so it’s a challenge to keep up.
And deciding on whether or not you need a coat is a big factor.
Enter the trench coat: perfect for this time of year, it’s lightweight enough for sunny spring days, but can also be layered up if you are in need of extra warmth.
Plus, it really is a style that never goes out of fashion.
Available in an array of different colours and styles, the high street is full of great examples.
Take a look at the fashion team’s favourite picks, as well as how they are styling them for the season ahead.
Tracey Lea Sayer, 53, Fashion Director
- Trench, £180, COS – BUY NOW
- Tank, £65, COS – BUY NOW
- Trousers, £34.90, Uniqlo – BUY NOW
- Scarf, £57, Arket – BUY NOW
- Bag, £279, Arket – BUY NOW
- Shoes, £55, Marks & Spencer – BUY NOW
Finally, spring has sprung!
But typically, we all know that the British weather can be boiling hot one minute and freezing cold with horizontal rain the next.
While I doubt this denim trench coat will keep me very dry, I am sure it will make me feel chic!
Denim trenches are popping up all over the place at the minute, so when I spotted this one in COS, I had to try it on.
Oversized and in a gorgeous dark indigo denim, I was sold as soon as I slipped it over my shoulders.
The slouchy epaulettes and balloon-shaped sleeves give it a real designer feel, which I think warrants the high price tag.
I’ve teamed it with a khaki waistcoat and a cute necktie to continue the French theme, and added black accessories for a workwear look that I will live in for the next few months, as well as this time next year, as I know it won’t date.
Clemmie Fieldsend, 34, Fashion Editor
- Trench, £65, River Island – BUY NOW
- Jacket, £44, Next – BUY NOW
- Jeans, £25.99, Pull & Bear – BUY NOW
- Bag, £95, COS – BUY NOW
- Trainers, £170, Autry – BUY NOW
Quintessentially British and a wardrobe classic, you can’t go wrong with investing in a good trench.
You can bet year after year they’ll be on trend and they are a practical essential we all need with the UK weather.
I love this River Island trench in a light khaki spring shade – and the detailing on the cuffs makes it feel more of a fashion-forward piece.
I’ll be wearing it with straight-leg jeans in a creamy whitewash, which also makes me feel more spring-like, plus this red knitted jacket/cardigan.
Complete with these Autry trainers that went straight in my basket, I’m ready for the day – whatever weather it brings.
Abby McHale, 30, Deputy Fashion Editor
- Trench, £275, Sezane – BUY NOW
- T-shirt, £19, Omnes – BUY NOW
- Jeans, £80, Abercrombie & Fitch – BUY NOW
- Sunglasses, £9.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Bag, £55, Damson Madder – BUY NOW
- Shoes, £27.99, Zara – BUY NOW
If there is one style of coat I would tell anyone to invest in, it would be a trench.
Never going out of style, I often wear mine all year round, adding more layers when the weather is colder.
I’ve had my eye on the Sezane Clyde trench coat for quite a while now.
I love the collar and button detail – as well as this ecru shade, you can also buy it in an array of other colours and prints, including a very on-trend gingham.
It’s not the cheapest at £275, but I know I will get my money’s worth.
The other great thing about trench coats is that you can wear so much of your wardrobe with them.
I’ve opted for a casual jeans and T-shirt combination with this cute slogan tee from Omnes and some wide-leg Abercrombie jeans.
Paired with this butter-yellow bag from Damson Madder, sunglasses from H&M and Zara ballet flats, I can see myself wearing variations of this look with my trench all spring long.
Emily Regan, 25, Fashion Assistant
- Trench, £89, River Island – BUY NOW
- Jumper, £29, John Lewis – BUY NOW
- Skirt, £36, River Island – BUY NOW
- Boots, £59.99, Bershka – BUY NOW
- Bag, £65.99, Reserved – BUY NOW
I love a printed coat, so this checked number from River Island has been on my wish list for a while.
The soft blue woven into the pattern gives it a fresh, spring-ready feel, so I’ve highlighted that hue with a jumper from John Lewis to tie everything together.
This check print runs through an entire collection at River Island, and I’m especially drawn to the matching pleated skirt.
But if skirts aren’t your thing, there’s also a jacket, peplum top, and trousers in the same design.
To complete the look, I’ve leaned into the ever-popular suede trend with a pair of light-brown suede boots and a coordinating bag from Reserved.
Hottest fashion trends of 2025
Fabulous’ Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street.
The East/West Bag
Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s’ shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber.
In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder.
They’ve been on runway models’ arms at nearly ever designer show – think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta – and are hitting the high street now, too.
Powder pink
Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025.
Pantone may say that it’s the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own.
If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour.
The shell jacket
The ’80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025.
We all know we’re likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket.
Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in ‘80s windbreakers’.
Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion!
The turn-up jeans
While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we’re styling them is different.
This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups.
For this look, size doesn’t matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good – but only as it’s just one single fold.
Peep-toe shoe
Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event.
After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style.
From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street.
Sheer blouses
See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life – until now.
Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S ’25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season.
Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks.