Chances are you already own this winter’s coat trend

What’s the common thread between Vogue editor Anna Wintour, actor and muse Julia Fox and model Korlan Madi? It sounds like a bad fashion joke, where three style leaders totter into a low-intervention wine bar, but the practical punchline is gabardine.

A tightly woven wool, gabardine is used for trench coats, which have been embraced by style leaders of all ages (with or without a dress beneath them) as the winter wardrobe essential of 2024. Wintour chose to wear a dress beneath her embroidered coat during Paris Fashion Week, Madi wore Miu Miu swim briefs and Fox a bodysuit. The trench coat covers a multitude of style swings and sins.

“People are always after a trench coat, but there has definitely been a resurgence,” says Jane Thompson, who has been operating luxury reseller Blue Spinach in Sydney since 1996. “Whether it’s worn over a hoodie or a dress, it’s the ultimate finishing touch.”

“When it comes to the storm flap and epaulettes that make up a classic trench coat, the mind quickly jumps to Burberry, but everyone has their take on it. We are seeing more coats with softer silhouettes, along with statement pieces. I have an Alexander McQueen trench coat with dramatic sleeves that takes it to the next level.”

On the autumn/winter 2024 runways, trench coats became as familiar as breakout Canadian model Agel Akol, who walked in 38 shows.

Along with traditional gabardine, denim and leather versions were seen at Khaite, Burberry, Courrèges, Balmain, Tod’s, Thom Browne, Tom Ford, Moschino and Dior.

Local labels are prepared for the trend, with trench coats already available in stores because the style has been a staple since 2017, ignoring the puffer jacket’s breakout moment during COVID lockdowns. Take a look at the back of your wardrobe, and you might have one from past splurges.

“We’ve been making sure that trench coats are a part of our winter line-up since 2020,” says Danielle Pelly, founder of Melbourne label Ena Pelly.