The only problem is: I hate my trench coats. I have a dusty pink no-name brand trench with wine colored piping I got 6 years ago. I don't own anything that old. Except that trench. I still get compliments on it every tiem I wear it out, but inside I think "what is wrong with you people? This coat is old and I am SO bored with it!" But I don't say that. I just say "thank you." And a couple years ago I thought I'd bust free of my old pink trench and get a new one. I did my research and ordered a Soia & Kyo trench from Tobi.com. It had a fun assymetrical collar - I love fun details like that. But I dunno, it just didn't fit exactly like I wanted it too. It was too flarey outy on the bottom, almost like an a-line dress or something. And I'm way too lazy to return things I order online, so I kept it. But I don't wear it. Maybe I should ebay it....
Anyway, when spring finally sprung last week I was in a panic - all I had were the old pink trench and the not my thing black Soia & Kyo trench. What was I going to do??? Clearly some shopping is in order.
Luckily my friend Kim was willing to help me on my big trench coat search of 2010 and also played camerawoman so I could share the search with all of you. Thanks, Kim!
As much as I love trench coats, the thing I don't like is how boxy and masculine they can be. If you've ever read this blog before, you know I love feminine details - ruffles, bows, etc. Trench coats are basically the antithesis of that. But I want one! I want one! I was determined to find a nice classic khaki (I really wanted khaki for some reason) trench that could actually tell that I was a woman under there and not mistake me for Mr. EWP (who has a really hot Burberry trench, btw. I, however, had a much smaller budget for my trench outing).
[Also, please ignore my hair. It was super cute at the beginning of the day, but it was super windy out and I was a total mess by the time the trench pics were taken]
First stop: Club Monaco. I love their stuff and they really do feminine skirts and dresses well, so I figured this might work out. Nope. The picture doesn't really show it but Kim and I were dying of laughter of how weirdly shaped the trench was - it gave me high wide sticky outty hips. It was a mess.
Club Monaco, $250 Stop #2: J.Crew.
I have no explanation for why I chose to stand this way. I clearly was never meant to be a model. J.Crew's trench was definitley on the classic side, but still a little boxy and mannish for my taste. 
J. Crew, $298
J. Crew, $298 Stop #3: Banana Republic
I knew BR would definitely carry something as classic as a trench (they in fact had 3), but I also knew I wasn't going to like any of them. I went in, tried them on, Kim and I both gagged, and we left with Kim going "you knew going in you weren't going to like them." It was by far the manliest one I'd tried on. And a non-pictured trench, though $200, was definitely the cheapest looking piece of crap I'd ever seen.
Banana Republic, $198 We decided our time would best be spent in a department store which would carry many brands, so I could try on more in just one stop. So off we went to stop #4: Bloomingdale's. I heart Bloomingdales. I knew it was going to be the place for me.
There were a bunch of freaky looking Laundry trenches which I didn't even try on to take pics of. But I did try on a couple KORS Michael Kors trenches.
KORS trench #1: No, the buttons aren't pulling, they are just designed so the top button is actually not in line with the others. That is not an asymmetrical I can get behind. It would just look like I had bought the wrong size trench.
KORS trench #1: No, the buttons aren't pulling, they are just designed so the top button is actually not in line with the others. That is not an asymmetrical I can get behind. It would just look like I had bought the wrong size trench.
KORS Michael Kors, $275 KORS trench #2: I have no explanation fo why I look like a crazy person. Actually, I do. I was trying to show the ridiculous gold buckles on the sleeve, but failed to actually get the buckles in the picture and just look silly instead. The gold buttons were a definite no.
KORS Michael Kors, $295And then I saw a nice little khaki number with a ruffle. I thought to myself "ruffles are girly. Maybe just maybe I won't look like a man in this one." So I tried it on and Kim and I both agreed it was the trench we had been looking for. Sure, it may not be the perfect one I dreamed of, but I had really had it with trying on coats and if I didn't buy something Sunday, then I'd be stuck with my 2 trenches I am not fond of. A trench needed to be bought! So Kim and I decided this was definitely the one. The ruffle is sweet and feminine without being too much. Just understated.
Bonus? I wore it home and Mr. EWP did not complain that I already had 2 trench coats, he just said that he liked it and I looked cute. Success!
Elie Tahari
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