……………..IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS…..and this trench has them all………The TRENCH COAT has a long history. The British Army commissioned Burberry, a conservative, but meticulous mens wear company, to create a coat for the fighting men in the “trenches” during WW1…… hence the “TRENCH COAT”. The button out lining had to double as a bathrobe…the plaid came later….Traveling to the front on the trains and even in the trenches the very proper English men needed bath robes….so this was a multi purpose coat……..My trench coat has many of the details that the original did…..without the button out lining…………Let’s start with the fabric…..63%POLYESTER/33%RAYON/ 4%$ SPANDEX. The fabric is very similar in weave, look and hand to my pinstripe suit….only this is heavier….not heavy, but suitable for a coat. It has a very slight texture, a sort of flat almost un-discernible hammered twill….This is not a raincoat! ……The COLLAR is a classic trench collar with a stand that goes completely around the neck….kissing in the front. To hold the collar together there is a large metal hook and eye that is also classic to a trench coat……The EPAULETTES, which can be seen in the center photos are done as the original coat. They can completely button off. Soldiers used to button their rifle straps to there coats using the epaulettes to hold the strap in place so there hands were free……..This is a double breasted coat and it has the single trench flap [as the original trench] which buttons to the coat. The SLEEVES are long and they have the traditional STRAP with the belt loops and slide buckle. You can cinch the sleeve in for a little more attitude….or not………..The BELT is extra long so you can tie it with a one sided loop. It does have a buckle which can also be used. Notice that the belt is OLIVE on one side and BLACK on the other, so when it is tied there is a kind of exclamation!……This is IMPORTANT…..please notice the third picture in from the BOTTOM LEFT. It is a picture of the BELT LOOPS ON THE COAT…..I said LOOPS, because there are two rows of loops that can be used….one higher and one lower. The reason for this double set of loops enabled men who were taller or shorter to be able to belt the coat where is was comfortable for them…..so this should be ideal for my taller and shorter women…..no need to take the belt out of the loops to accommodate your waist line…….There are TWO POCKETS WITH BUTTONED FLAPS for security……The back of the coat has the traditional BACK TRENCH FLAP. These flaps were originally put there so the rain would run off and give the men an added layer of protection.. There is also a back vent for easy walking……….The entire coat is lined in BLACK SATIN…..The FRONT of the coat is all FACED IN BLACK….the same material as the coat and the reverse side of the belt……so when the coat is opened you have these WONDERFUL BLACK LAPELS…….The coat is completely DOUBLE STITCHED…..another authentic and wonderful detail……The coat is approx. 38 inches long for the size 6…….The instructions say “machine wash in cold water” If it were mine I would only dry clean it to keep it crisp and professionally pressed….For those of you who are always looking for MATCHING pieces the A259110, WK turtleneck…..the A237412 WK skirt, and the A259702, gaberdine pant all blend beautifully with the OLIVE TRENCH…..and for an added bonus this year I have added the matching OLIVE to the TIGHTS [avail now] and the SEAMLESS LINEA BODY LEGGINGS [coming soon]……As I started our conversation…….IT IS ALL IN THE DETAILS…….It looks like a coat that should cost well over $1000……………It LOOKS like a designer coat, it FEELS like a designer coat, it is MADE like a designer coat……….it IS A DESIGNER COAT………………………………………enjoy…………………………………much Love……………………………..Louis
I missed the trench coat and by the time I saw it, SOLD OUT! It looks amazing – how long do you thing it will take to get it back in stock? They ARE going to reorder it – right? It is so beautiful – you don’t see that type of workmanship at this price – incredible!!!
Dear Marguerite….I have no idea if it will be reordered it takes 3 months to tally the returns and then they decide. If it does get reordered it won’t be until next year at the same time.I would suggest taking a look at the navy or Burgundy if they are avail in your size…..they are both beautiful, and you won’t have to go a whole year without.
Louis,
I received my olive trench coat, and it’s amazing! Thank you so much for designing this gorgeous coat. I love it!
Belle
Hi, Louis, as I have short arms–what do you think about shortening the sleeves on the trench? I’m hoping my seamstress can take off the straps and then reattach without too much difficulty—I’d hate to lose them as they are such a big part of the trench design. I’m going to Milan in October and Id love to wear the trench.
Also, will we ever see Aubergine WK pieces again? I have some, but I’d love more….
Sheila/Sheesh
Dear Shelia……she should be able to alter the sleeve….the trench would be perfect in Milan in Oct…..very Chic…..you must get the matching olive tights….do you have any Wk Pieces in the olive? The Wk is deeper than the coat, but they work together beautifully. I don,t know if the Wk dress is for you but it’s fabulous with the coat and shawl….I’m dressing you for Milan…or are you getting the Burgundy trench…..If so …the black Wk shawl and or scarf look,great…then your all Aubergine Ivory and Black…with lots of Gunmetal for the Aubergine and black and gold for the ivory black and Aubergine. I don’t have plans to repeat the Aubergine but there is some Merlot coming.
P.S….the alabaster looks great with these colors too.
Thank you for dressing me for Milan (we may be going to Portofino and Nice, too—or maybe Bellagio, Verona and Venice if we go in the opposite direction–we’re renting a car and we’re flexible—12 days!). I’m undecided on which color in the trench, but thinking Merlot, because I was going to get the Olive Zebra coat. I’ve got the Aubergine WK pencil skirt and V-neck LS sweater plus the WK Black Shawl and Scarf—so I’m good to go! I’m packing 2 pairs of the Black Slim Pants because they fit like a dream and can easily wash in hotel sink and drip dry overnight—love that. I’m taking a black dress and a black skirt and the rest will be WK tops (tanks, SS V-necks and a Cardigan)and the Black/Grey Placement print top–about a dozen pieces to mix and match.
We found these great round-trip tickets on Emirates (fabulous airline)–JFK to Milan, non-stop, for $1000 for two coach tickets! Business Class was only $3800 for two, but I figured I’d rather have the extra $2800 to spend. You have to buy in “twos” to get these prices–no “singles’ as that cuts into their business traveler revenue—the bread and butter of airlines. It’s an Airbus 380-800—the giant double decker which I’ve never flown before, so will be a bit exciting!
Now tell me—when will you be on in October? I hate to miss a show, so I’ll have to plan my Linea shopping accordingly.
Your trip sounds amazing. I’ve been to many of those places. Is you trip early or late Oct.?…..The airline sounds great…..How would Portofino and Nice be in Oct.?
We arrive in Milan on Oct 15 and back in NY on Oct 28—so 13 full days. I’ve actually never been in Northern Italy or Southern France in mid-late October, but I think it will still be quite warm—even if in the 60’s, that’s warm for this New England girl. I just don’t want to be too hot, so I’m bringing “layers.” I’m glad I’ll still be home for the October shows!
Sheesh, I’ve been in Greece in mid-October, and for a girl (me) who is always chilled, I found that I did not need even a sweater or jacket in the afternoons. Nights, however, I wore a lightweight all-weather coat. The sun was magnificently warm and caressing, but Greece is famous for no rain, for most of the year. Milan, from what I understand, has moodier weather, which can bring a chill. I did wear what I considered my lighter weight winter clothing at night, too (i.e., sweaters and heavier skirts). I recall wearing my all-weather coat only once during the day in Athens. Oddly enough, the ride I enjoyed while travelling to the Peloponnesus reminded me of Tuscany. In the summer, Greece’s earth is scorched, and quite frankly, some areas in the south suggest West Texas or Iraq. But in the fall, the Cypress trees and other verdure flourish, and the view is breathtakingly beautiful. It was a pleasant surprise. Have a safe journey!
SHEESH, I’ve been in Nice in October, later in the month as I remember. Definitely plan on layers! As I remember, I bought some slacks and a sweater there. By the time I traveled down the coast to Barcelona, I bought a dark green trench there for the rest of the trip. Your trip sounds fabulous!!!!
Sheesh, forget all my “warm and caressing sun” comments about Greece. I totally forgot I spent nearly all of October in Europe in 1973, when I worked for AAA’s World Wide Travel Dept. Gone are the days when a company would send you to wonderful places and pay for all lodging, food and entertainment, which the organization did for its travel dept. employees on our work-related (but fun) junket. Anyway, it was one of those 11 countries in 22 days deals, but it was FREE — and I got to inspect the beds at the George V as well as the Ritz in Paris :-). Anyway, in all my photos, you can tell that I and approximately 21 other AAAers are happy to wear winter-style sweaters during the day in some places, but in most, we are wearing heavier coats, with shawls thrown on top, over those sweaters. One gal is wearing fuzzy gloves while in Switzerland, and I wore gloves on and off throughout the trip. I lived in Miami at that time, and good fortune had me bring one winter coat with me when I moved south. It wasn’t wool, and despite its midi length, I froze on top of the Zugspitze in Germany. There was snow in October, of course, and I had no boots. In Italy, during the day in Rome I am pictured wearing a corduroy pants and blazer outfit with a turtleneck made of synthetic fiber. (It was a monochromatic look even then.) But in Venice, I am wearing my winter coat during the day. Anyway, from Salzburg to Cortina d’Ampezzo, I and others are dressed for cooler weather, which we met.
My shows in Oct are on the 7th at 6am and 1pm
My dressmaker was able to take off the straps and reattach them to the chili pepper swing jacket that was for sale last year. And that had a separate lining. It was pricey, but because it was outerwear I felt it was worth it. Also, I’m maniacal about alterations (and my dressmaker is in the high rent district!)
Well now Mr. Dell’Olio, you sure know how to put a girl in a tizzy! I have to have the black/navy, but boy oh boy is that merlot calling my name. This trench is getting a lot of attention over at the Q and some are asking if this material could withstand a weather proofing spray to make it more water resistant? I’m not planning on doing that but the question has come up. What are your thoughts?
As I told Saphire….I’m not familiar enough with those types of products to have an opinion one way or the other. I honestly don’t know how the fabric will respond……better to carry an umbrella….LOL
Dear Louis,
You don’t disappoint–this trench is VERY special. Love all the gorgeous details. It’s stunning. Delicious, even. I cannot wait to get my olive & navy home! Thank you for knowing exactly what we need.
WOW! What is a girl to do, I thought that I would get one of the trench coats and had decided on olive, not the burgundy is calling my name. Do I really NEED two trench coats this year? They are simply beautiful!! You are a gem, and yes, these are designer pieces !
Dear Sterling36, I very seldom suggest for anyone two buy two of anything unless it’s a classic sweater….BUT…..this is a sensational coat, and it may never come around again……It truly is worth getting two. It is a classic and will never go out of style…..it really is that good.
I might just have to get two, since I really can’t decide and the trench has been around for almost 100 years. I have both the olive & aubergine WK tops and skirts and tights. I can see the aubergine with the olive coat and the olive outfit with the merlot trench. I am so done. With the right accessories I think that I can pull off both looks. Thanks for such a gem.
Is this not the most elegant olive color for a trench coat or what? Louis, I bought an Ellen Tracy olive trench about seven years ago (that I adore), so I thought I could go past GO and directly to the burgundy color. STOP. Yep, I had to stop and take several looks at this one. There is such a smoothness to it — such a beauty. Olive and burgundy now? Only the tea leaves know.
Louis,
This is one STUNNING Trench Coat! And – ALL the Colour Options are so Beautiful! I thought I would want the Olive – but that Navy is a WOW!
The details certainly are incredible – Love everything about this Coat. I currently do not have a Trench – so this is a Must Have for me!
Seka…..I knew this was for you!