When it comes to hard-working wardrobe heroes, never underestimate the power of a good trench. Whether you layer up for practicality over spring workwear or simply pair with jeans, loafers and a cashmere knit like the French girls do, the trench offers polish no matter what’s underneath.

Here’s The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, has done the hard work for you and picked the best of the bunch available to shop now.

The beauty of the trench lies in its simplicity. It’s practical, timeless, and so far from trying too hard that a good one will always look cool. I also love that a great trench blurs the lines between masculine and feminine dressing, it’s that final layer of ‘quiet luxury’, and its typically muted colour palette means it pretty much goes with anything.

Find the right one, and you’ll have a wardrobe staple for life. Right now, there are plenty to choose from, whether you want to invest or shop the high street.

The beauty of the trench lies in its simplicity. It’s practical, timeless, and so far from trying too hard

For a modest budget, Zara is killing it right now with myriad options. I love the collared car coat with (plot twist) a reversible checked side – a 2-in-1 hero that feels like a cost-per-wear victory. 

For more of an investment but nothing too eye-watering, you can’t go wrong with Sézane. Their Clyde coat comes with heritage check lining – perfect for rolling up the sleeves a little for a point of interest, and their olive green Scott trench is a classic you’ll wear forever. 

And finally, if you love the exaggerated, oversized shape, The Frankie Shop is where it’s at for lots of volume and intricate detailing – love the high-neck of the Davos trench – so good the coat becomes the whole look. 

A person wearing one of the best trench coats—a long, oversized khaki style—over a beige outfit stands in heeled ankle boots against a plain light grey background, looking slightly to the side with hands in the coat pockets.
Davos Trench Coat
The Frankie Shop, €395

So good the coat becomes the whole look. 

A person with short hair wears one of the best trench coats—a belted, khaki design with wide lapels and double-breasted buttons—looking directly at the camera against a plain grey background.
A beige trench coat with a tie-neck collar, long sleeves featuring strap details, and two front pockets—an elegant choice among the best trench coats—displayed on a plain light grey background.
Mid-Length Trench Coat
Claudie Pierlot, £459
A person wearing one of the best trench coats—a beige style with a wide belt and a brown leather collar—paired with dark sunglasses, stands against a plain white background.
Cotton Trench Jacket
De Savary London, £250
Beige trench coat with a belted waist, double-breasted buttons, shoulder epaulettes, and buckled straps on the cuffs—an elegant choice among the best trench coats—displayed against a plain white background.
Long Castleford Trench Coat
Burberry, £1,995
A person showcases one of the best trench coats—a long beige style—over a blue striped shirt and wide-leg jeans, holding an olive green clutch bag against a plain light grey background.
Riva Cotton Trench Coat
The Frankie Shop, €435
A beige trench coat with a brown corduroy collar, belted waist, long sleeves, and two front pockets—one of the best trench coats for timeless style—displayed on a white background.
Reagan Trench Coat
Barbour, £260
A person stands indoors against a white wall wearing one of the best trench coats—a long beige style over a white top, dark wide-leg jeans with turn-ups, and black sandals. Their hair is long and loose, their face not visible.
Cole Funnel Neck Boxy Trench
Marcella London, €580.95
A person with short, wet hair wears one of the best trench coats—a beige style with large black buttons and checked lining—holding the collar and looking at the camera against a white background.
A person with short, wet hair wears one of the best trench coats—a beige style with a checked collar and cuffs—standing against a plain white background. They have a neutral expression and hold the coat closed with one hand.
Oversize Trench With Check Cuffs
Zara, £79.99

Zara’s oversize trench with heritage check cuffs is a minimalist take on heritage cool.

A person wearing one of the best trench coats in green over a brown jumper and blue wide-leg jeans stands against a beige background, holding a brown bag in one hand and looking down.
Scott Trench Coat
Sézane, £240
Beige double-breasted trench coat with wide lapels, a matching belt at the waist, and cuffed sleeves—an elegant choice among the best trench coats—displayed on a plain white background.
Double-Breasted Trench Coat
& Other Stories, £169
A person models one of the best trench coats—a long beige style—paired with a dark blue T-shirt, blue jeans, and brown loafers, standing against a plain tan background with one hand in their pocket and the other touching their hair.
Clyde Coat
Sézane, £275
A woman in one of the best trench coats—a long brown and white chequered style—pairs it with blue jeans and dark ankle boots as she walks sideways against a plain light background.
Gingham Car Coat
Nobody’s Child, £159
Beige double-breasted trench coat with a belt at the waist, wide lapels, two rows of buttons, and cuffed sleeves—an elegant choice for those seeking the best trench coats—displayed on a plain white background.
Double Breasted Trench
Mango, £99.99
A person stands against a plain light-coloured wall wearing one of the best trench coats—a high-neck khaki jacket with a belted waist—paired with black wide-leg trousers and brown shoes. The lighting is soft and even.
Belted Cotton Short Trench
COS, £169
A long, loose-fitting coat inspired by the best trench coats, featuring a beige, navy, and black check pattern, button-through front, two angled side pockets, and a small collar.
Reversible Checks Trench
Zara, £109

Zara’s reversible 2-in-1 coat feels like a cost-per-wear victory.

A woman stands against a white wall wearing one of the best trench coats in beige with checked lining, paired with a white midi skirt and white shoes. One hand is in her pocket as she looks slightly to the side.

Short trenches are having a moment, offering a contemporary twist on this classic look.

A cropped, dark brown, double-breasted jacket with wide lapels and shoulder epaulettes channels the style of the best trench coats, featuring two front pockets and displayed flat on a white background.
Funnel Neck Cropped Trench
Mango, £59.99
A person wearing one of the best trench coats—a beige style with a high collar—styled with a maroon and white patterned belt and grey jeans, standing against a plain grey background.
Long Cotton Trench With Side Fastening
Massimo Dutti, £169
A long, beige trench coat with a brown collar, belted waist, and buttoned front—an elegant example of the best trench coats—displayed against a plain white background.
Technical Trench
Acne Studios, £1,300
A person wearing one of the best trench coats in beige, paired with dark trousers, sunglasses, and a red scarf stands indoors with hands in pockets, looking confidently at the camera.
Short Trench Coat
Massimo Dutti, £149
Fashion, Outfits, Trending Fashion

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