<p>D is looking for a spring/summer coat to wear with suits/skirts/slacks. She is struggling to find something that looks professional. It doesn’t seem very professional to wear a shorter coat with a skirt. But all the trench coats (the style she is looking for) seem to fall mid-thigh this year. We noticed as she shopped online that they only showed those coats with slacks (one with a skirt, but they did not show a full length shot, not even down to the bottom of the skirt – I think because it would look funny).</p>
<p>Any suggestions for where to find a longer trenchcoat? Or… do you disagree, and think it is fine to wear a shorter coat with a skirted suit, for example?</p>
<p>Wow - you’re totally right! I just looked online, and almost everything is short. I did see one (a London Fog) at Burlington Coat Factory and Kohls, and another (Jessica London) at Avenue. I’m not sure what they actually have IN those stores, however. </p>
<p>I’m with you on your fashion sense as well. A short coat looks funny with skirts.</p>
<p>I definitely have never liked the skirt to hang out below the end of the coat. Years back when the styles were long for skirts, I had a nearly ankle length coat! Overstock has a long london fog coat on their web site. I have never bought from the site, so caveat there.</p>
<p>I have seen a shorter trench used over a skirt, almost like a suit jacket, but obviously for outside wear. I noticed the same shorter length on winter coats this year when I wanted one for just above the knee. Try places like Lands End or LLBean that often have 2 length options for their coats. If a trench is to be used for rain protection while city commuting, there are practical as well as style reasons for the longer length. Good luck.</p>
<p>I realize it’s pricey, but a Burberry trench will last for years and it will look impeccable for the long run. Ten years is not unusual for a classic trench. Many lengths and styles are available and most come in classic tan or black. I have a 20 year old Burberry raincoat that I still wear - no one would ever suspect its age because it shows absolutely no wear and tear. </p>
<p>I second Gourmetmom’s suggestion. The coat will be a true investment piece, because Burberry’s traditional trench is a classic, and the coat will last forever. If you live near an outlet mall that has a Burberry store, I suggest looking there (outlet prices are 50-70% off retail), and today could be a great day to shop - there might be some additional discounts due to the holiday sale.</p>
<p>Here is another option (on an average-height woman this coat will be quite longer than it looks in the picture, because Net-a-Porter’s models are about 5’11"):</p>
<p>My solution to all clothing challenges is eBay. Just did a quick search on Burberry trench and they have a number of them starting at $5. Now looking at a lovely long blue trench coat (size 10) from Saks–starting at $5.99, but Buy It Now price is $7.99, plus $6.99 shipping. Oo! Here’s an extra long red Burberry’s trench for $6 (plus about $15 shipping) but it’s closing in an hour.</p>
<p>I’ve ordered from Overstock.com before with no issues. Had to return my order for a different size. Customer Service rep. was great and sent me the new size right out before I had even returned the first one.</p>
<p>If I were younger, I’d buy the Burberry coat. Yes, it’s hugely expensive, but she will have it and wear it for a good 20 years. When you amortize the cost of the coat over that length of time, it’s not that expensive – $75 a year. And she really will be able to wear it for 20 years – they’re incredibly well-made and never go out of style.</p>
<p>But that is a major investment, and for a young 'un, it’s a lot of cash.</p>
<p>At about 41" from the shoulder, the Burberry’s trench may be short for some skirts on a 5’ 11" young woman. Chadwick’s offers the following longer alternative (certainly not in the same quality category, but uber inexpensive, and more that good enough in quality for a person starting out) :</p>
<p>An English dress maker, Long Tall Sally, specializing in clothing for taller women, had a few popup shops here in my neck of the woods. They also sell clothes online in the US.</p>
<p>This trench might be an inexpensive option (look at the picture of the lady in the red dress - the trench looks just the right length to be worn with skirts, and it is 36" long per the description):</p>
<p>I think the one spidey likes is fine, but D says too long… We had looked at the Long Tall Sally one before, and it seems a bit too short If it were belted on the model, I think her dress would show. Somewhere between 36" and 50" is what we need, I guess. I think it at least needs to be knee length. D does not (now) have any skirts longer than that she would wear professionally (and believes she never will…).</p>
<p>For $80, I think I’d get the Chadwicks and have it shortened. She could have it shortened to exactly the length she wants just below her hemline, which would look very sharp.</p>
<p>That takes the time pressure off and she’ll be able to wear the Chadwicks while she takes her time finding the right coat. As a woman who is 5’10", it sometimes takes a few years to find the just right basic piece and so I make due in the meantime with something “good enough.”</p>
<p>My Burberry is (OMG- I had to count on my fingers) 30 years old.
No, I don’t really wear it that much- & I did originally pay $400 for it- but I can still fit into it ( there was quite a stretch when I couldn’t, it is a 4- ).</p>
If it were belted on the model, I think her dress would show. Somewhere between 36" and 50" is what we need, I guess. I think it at least needs to be knee length. D does not (now) have any skirts longer than that she would wear professionally (and believes she never will…).</p>