Think of springtime dressing, and a trench coat immediately comes to mind. With its roots residing in the 19th century, the trench has weathered decades of trends to become a classic style that's as much of a part of the modern wardrobe as any piece from the new-season collections.
The trench coat is one of the most versatile pieces you could hope to own; its lightweight fabric makes it perfect for layering across the seasons, and it's a practical outerwear choice when considering the temperamental British weather. You'll also notice the plethora of hues, fabrics and silhouettes that this piece can encompass, from fitted leather styles to two-tone reversible colourways.
It's also a piece that inhabits the wardrobes of many a celebrity. Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Sienna Miller have all demonstrated their own takes on styling the trench coat in recent months, from winter city walks to spring-inspired looks, further illustrating its transitional power.
The trench coat also shows off its adaptability when it comes to price point. You'll find an array of styles available from both affordable and luxury brands; Bieber recently wore a piece from high-street favourite Mango, while Miller is the proprietor of two trenches from French label Sézane. When it comes to high-end brands, Burberry and The Row have become firm favourites amongst the A-list and street style set.
How to style a trench coat for spring/summer 2025
Find our round-up of the best trench coats to shop this season here, and for styling inspiration for how to style this perennial piece, read on.
On a lighter note
A fail-safe way to bring a trench from your winter wardrobe into the spring is through an injection of colour. The Frankie Shop's pale cream Veyron trench can be lifted with lighter pieces to enhance its pastel-like hue. Bright blues, sugary pinks and pistachio greens are all great options, while a satin ballerina pump will add a touchy of whimsy.
The Frankie Shop Veyron trench coat
With Nothing Underneath the classic shirt
With Nothing Underneath the boxer
Miu Miu satin ballet flats
Capri-sy
Hailey Bieber has become the poster girl for minimalist, city-slicking ensembles, and her styling of the trench is no exception. The coat has become a go-to in her spring outfit rotation, and the model recently stepped out wearing an affordable design from Mango, which she paired with some sleek black capri trousers, a simple white tank top and strappy black mules. Swap pedal pushers out for a pair of tailored wide-leg trousers for more formal events.
Mango oversized cotton trench coat
Klayd square long tank
Jacquemus capri twill cropped straight-leg trousers
The Row bare leather sandals
Seasonal hues
Neutral and earthen shades can be rich in inspiration, as this oxblood outfit proves. Draw from the colour palette of your trench and let it carry into other pieces in your look, whether that be a pair of tailored trousers, a leather bag or a sleek pair of heels. For the spring and summer months, butter yellows, light greens and blues work well, while deep olive, burgundy and navy tones feel perfectly placed in the colder seasons.
Bottega Veneta belted wool-gabardine trench coat
Toteme oversized poplin shirt
& Other Stories wide press-crease trousers
The Row square leather ballet flats
Cropped to it
A cropped trench has become the reigning silhouette for spring/summer 2025, offering a less encumbering fit for the warmer months than a floor-sweeping style. The shorter design gives way for the high-waisted trousers, jeans and skirts in your wardrobe to shine, so make the most of this style and let your bottom half do the talking with stand-out pieces, whether that be voluminous midi skirts or barrel-leg denim.
Burberry cropped gabardine trench jacket
Suzie Kondi Kyria gathered cotton-poplin midi skirt
Oliver Peoples rectangle-frame acetate sunglasses
Alaïa Le Teckel medium nubuck shoulder bag
Double-sueded
While suede is best avoided in the rainy winter months, come the sunnier days of spring and summer, this material thrives. The beauty of a suede coat is that it always looks good with denim, giving you endless options to play with your favourite pair of jeans. Depending on your mood, a silk camisole top, tank top or crisp shirt will all bring something different to your look, while a complementing suede accent in the form of your shoes or bag will pull the look together.
& Other Stories maxi suede trench coat
Rohe lace-trimmed silk-satin camisole top
Khaite Danielle stretch high-rise straight-leg jeans
Saint Laurent suede loafers
Spring greens
Embrace spectator sport fashion and make a play for a tennis-inspired look. While a pleated tennis skirt might err on the side of kitschy outside of Wimbledon, when paired with the right pieces, this style instantly becomes cool. A colourful knitted jumper and equally forthright trainer-and-sock combination makes the outfit intentionally playful, while an oversized trench coat adds the final unexpected element for a look that could easily be seen amongst Copenhagen's street style crowd.
Toteme cotton-blend trench coat
& Daughter Balla wool sweater
Miu Miu logo pleated cotton miniskirt
Adidas Tokyo woven low-top trainers
Casual cuffs
Sometimes it's not about changing pieces in an outfit, but employing simple styling tricks to give the look a new approach. Pushing up the sleeves of your trench coat and rolling up the cuffs of your jeans can turn a polished look into something with a more laissez-faire air, while the addition of a pair of western boots is the perfect accompaniment to this casual approach.
Saint Laurent twill trench coat
Frame baby tee
Agolde Fran mid-rise straight jeans
