How should a trench coat fit?

[irishnick]

A few months ago I bought the trench coat pictured below from JCrew. I chose it thinking I would wear it with suits. I'm only 24 so I thought something more formal might look like too much. I also figured I could wear it with jeans sometimes. Anyway, I am 6-4 and bought the regular version before I realized there was a tall version. I am considering returning it but it seems to fit ok. So my question is how should a trench coat fit? Should it be extra long in the sleeves and completely cover the shirt and suit sleeves? How close to the knee should it come?

 

[Casey]

The picture isn't showing up.

 

[rjmaiorano]

Trench sleeves should cover the sleeves of both shirt and suit. Length is a personal preference, I personally like mine right around the knee. The other option is a full length which will fall somewhere below the knee.

You don't want to try anything that falls more than a few inches (maybe 6) above the knee. A cropped trench is waaaay too feminine IMO.

 

[irishnick]

Ok thanks. I am going to go for the tall.

 

[rjmaiorano]

Originally Posted by irishnick

Ok thanks. I am going to go for the tall.

Probably best, especially considering sleeve length.

 

[tazmaniac]

however, the coat pictured is not really a trench

 

[Casey]

If you are 6 foot 4, then maybe the tall would be good for you. I don't necessarily think that a shorter trench is a bad thing but with your height, it might look a little silly if it's TOO short.

 

[billsayers]

I agree, isn't that a Macintosh coat?

I went shopping for trench coats recently and I noticed the most of the new designs fall above the knee and are cut rather slim. The sleeves are all relatively longer than a comparable sized suit jacket - regardless of whether it is a raglan sleeve or traditional shoulder design.

 

[scruff]

I prefer to wear mine as a cool-weather coat and not specifically for rain. There's really nothing I find less attractive than an oversized billowy trench coat. Here's mine - my uncle's Baltimore-made London Fog from the early 60s. I prefer the shorter sleeves and length, despite making me more prone to getting wet in the rain. Probably my favorite jacket. My moms is wearing a nice coat too.