For the more sophisticated, classic dresser, the trench is perfect!

Who said that being modest has to be a drag?

Beyond a doubt, dressing modestly can be a challenge due to the lack of availability of modest apparel in our malls today.

Luckily, however, layering is 'IN' and there are still some modest styles that have stood the test of time!

Historically, the trench coat served as a lighter weight men's coat and really caught on with the advent of World War I. Thomas Burberry claims to have first designed the coat as an alternative rain coat for British officers in 1901! The coat was in huge supply among those in the military at the time! It was functional, being a good raincoat but also a good source of warmth with its removable wool lining!

It did not take long for women to adopt the trench coat though it primarily served as a work coat, as can be seen in this ad from 1918. The trench was seen as standard ware for military service. Although it soon became standard issue for men in the US armed services, many women still had to purchase theirs. Unfortunately, they weren’t as classy as they are today!

The coat’s popularity increased until it took precedence in several key motion pictures, including Casablanca and Breakfast at Tiffany’s! Not only was it worn by men in this time but had become a staple for women!

To my knowledge, the first woman to make a fashionable public statement in a trench coat was Audrey Hepburn.

Not only is she attributed with the popularity of the little black dress from the film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, but now we owe her for the classic trench from the same film!

Of course, that might be the extent of my knowledge because I am such a fan of this very classy lady!


In the mid-twentieth century, the trench coat was also associated with espionage! Just imagine slipping secret film into the inside lining of your trench and you've got the right idea! Audrey used this look again in Charade! Even the well-known comedic spoof of espionage, Get Smart, utilized the trench coat as a mainstay. In fact, Barbara Feldon, the woman lead in the series, received an award for being the best dressed spy in the business—tongue in cheek, of course!

Since that time, the trench has maintained is popularity! In fact, it is one wardrobe piece that never seems to go out of style! That makes it quite the investment! Even Katie Holmes has been seen in a trench coat styled dress!

The great thing about trench coats is that they are inherently modest! It's next to impossible for a trench to be too tight or too revealing! A trench is a timeless classic that has maintained its popularity since the 1940s in one form or another.

So, if you're looking for wardrobers that will outlast the trends of the moment, a trench is a must! Simply add a few trendy touches here and there!

Tip: Trench coats by themselves can seem almost too masculine or starchy, but accenting them with a colorful belt, skirt, scarf, and heels can make a huge statement!