<p>Here’s a classic trench from Banana Republic: </p>
<p>[Apparel</a>, Handbags, Shoes and Accessories for Women and Men | Free Shipping on $50 | Banana Republic](<a href=“Banana Republic”>Banana Republic)</p>
<p>I vote for the BR coat and a consultation with an experienced tailor to see if there is enough fabric to make the sleeves and the coat a bit longer (even the tall size looks like it might be a bit too short).</p>
<p>The BR website says their “tall” line is aimed at women 5’ 11" - the coat is supposed to come to just above the knee. Might work out. It gets great reviews, too - I was looking at it for my D.</p>
<p>The classic Burberry coats weigh a ton. I have mine and haven’t worn it in years. However, I have one of their new spring coats and they are much lighter. I only buy clothes that are lightweight now.</p>
<p>I’m tempted myself by the Banana Republic coat, since I don’t own a trench coat. (The last one I had I gave to my son long ago, since it’s way more appropriate for him at this point.) Does anyone know if Banana Republic runs small, large, or neither? According to their size chart I’m right on the border between petite small and petite medium, since the dividing line is between a 4 and a 6. Even the petite Chadwick’s coat says it’s 48" long, which for me would make it practically touch the ground, I think. I’d feel ridiculous. As for the Burberry’s, I’ve never bought an article of clothing in my life that costs anywhere close to half that much, and hope I never have to. I always feel guilty about spending money on clothing, period (it’s probably been a year or more since I’ve bought any clothing at all), but I do have a birthday coming up so maybe it’s time I indulged myself.</p>
<p>The longevity argument for the Burberry coat doesn’t work for me-- I can understand and respect someone that it does work for, but I wouldn’t want to spend that much money up front for a coat (even if it <em>lasts</em>, that isn’t to say it will never be stained, lost, or stolen), but I can’t really imagine wanting to wear the same coat for 20 years to begin with. I’d rather spend 1/10th that and get a fresh look every few years, even if the burberry coat would still be on trend I just wouldn’t want to wear something that long. I don’t look at coats as 20 year investments.</p>
<p>That said, I like the banana republic coat, and I don’t think the chadwick coat is necessarily too long and it would be nice in the rain. But maybe my fashion sense is way off, because I don’t know that I would necessarily rule out one of the shorter trenches that looks almost like a suit like sep200 until I tried it on myself with a skirt. I definite;y wouldn’t wear one of the mid-thigh ones with a skirt though that would be weird.</p>
<p>Here are a few pictures showing how Europeans pair trenchcoats with skirts and dresses:</p>
<p>[Black Jersey Trench Coat by Steffen Schraut](<a href=“Designer-Mode online kaufen | STYLEBOP”>Designer-Mode online kaufen | STYLEBOP)</p>
<p>[VicunaTrenchCoatbyDKNY[/url</a>]</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“Designer-Mode online kaufen | STYLEBOP”>Designer-Mode online kaufen | STYLEBOP]Jet</a> Black Trenchcoat Kensington by Burberry](<a href=“Designer-Mode online kaufen | STYLEBOP”>Designer-Mode online kaufen | STYLEBOP)</p>
<p>Note that the coats are not much longer than the dresses, and in one picture, the coat is a few inches shorter.</p>
<p>I am a huge proponent of buying a quality coat. I bought a black wool coat 30+ years ago at Bloomies on sale for $300. Last year, I took it to a tailor and had the lining replaced because, while other coats have come and gone, that coat still looks great and is the warmest wool coat I have ever owned. </p>
<p>My objection to spending that much on a khaki trench is the mishap factor as Ema mentioned - and I am just not a fan of black trench coats. </p>
<p>I would hit TJMaxx and other similar places. I have a all weather coat by Theory that I picked up for about $100 and the retail was at least $400. Obviously those places are hit or miss - but I would check before I bought a coat. Otherwise - I think the BR coat is a nice choice.</p>
<p>I just noticed in another thread that our friend musicamusica got a $1000 Burberry trench for $150 or so at an outlet…</p>
<p>wnp, when it comes to mishaps, it all depends on the brand. I spilled red wine and dropped a chunk of raspberry-filled chocolate cake on my light beige Burberry trench, which I regularly wear regularly to work (commute on Metro “bum trams” - yuck) - nothing sticks to it, and whatever does can be cleaned with water and soap. I suspect that Burberry treats its coats with something that makes them stain and water-resistant.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It scares me to realize that I still own – and wear – clothes that are older than my 26-year-old.</p>
<p>I saw some really nice trench coats on a clearance rack at the flagship Nordstrom today - Lafayette 148: long (but not matronly), classic, beige, Burberry-like looking. A bit more than your price range at $300 (discounted from $600 or so), but it was one of the best coats in that price range I’ve seen in a long time. It is not listed on their website, but the sales person told me that there are a few still available at Nordstrom stores here and there.</p>
<p>VeryHappy…I have some things well over twenty years old in my closet also --including a Burberry trench that no one could guess the age! and some cashmere sweaters and my college Frye boots which just came back in style. Classics never go out of style.</p>
<p>This brings back memories. I used to have a pale pink twill trench coat. I am not a pink person, and don’t remember ever owning anything else in that color, but this coat was beautiful, very tailored, great fabric. I wore it for years and got many compliments.</p>
<p>Lots of good suggestions here. I was shocked at the $1000 and $1500 price tags on the Burberry coats. I have bought quite a few things from Overstock, and had good experiences. Returns are not all that easy, so check sizes and measurements carefully. You can chat or email customer service and get size charts. If you have to return something because measurements are off (this happened to me with chaise cushions), you can get a full refund and return shipping paid. Document everything, and you may have to send a few emails, but eventually they will take care of it and even give you a $20 coupon.</p>
<p>OP here. D bought the Banana Republic coat in tan from post #21, and loves it. (For some reason that link doesn’t work for me now, hangs my computer… so maybe it is no longer available). But thanks for all the tips!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I “own”, and wear, the little black dresses of my mother and grandmother from the 60’s. And their coats. They look very current/classic and the quality is way beyond anything I could buy off the rack today.</p>
<p>At 5’ 6", I’m a shortie in my family, so naturally I could not inherit my mom’s clothes. When mom retired, her nice work clothes went to my little sister who is about 5’ 10" and a change. I really wish that I’d kept the clothes I “outgrew” 10-15 years ago, because I could wear them all now. That beautiful wrap dress I gave away… I would look stunning in it today! I saw a variation of this same designer’s dress for $900 or so. :eek: </p>
<p>I agree about the quality - the older I get, the more picky I become. There is so much cheap-looking crap on the racks at Macy’s, it makes me sad. I’d rather get a couple of well-made pieces and keep my closet manageable, than spend the same money on heaps of trendy stuff.</p>
<p>OP, thanks for the update - the lovely BR coat that your D got will serve her well for years to come.</p>