How to Style a Graphic Trench Coat

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It’s the time of year when coats can’t be avoided. The Cut’s fashion director, Jessica Willis, has styled lots of coats throughout her career, like faux-fur ones and the statement coat, but this week she has another coat to add to your rotation: a graphic trench. In a sea of classic brown trench coats, this one will spice up any look. Here, how to pull it off.

The Hero Piece: Graphic Trench

A play on the staple trench coat, the printed trench coat from Tove is classic in its shape, while “the beautiful print elevates and sets your coat apart,” Willis says.

Tove Faretta Trench

Available soon.

Add a slip dress for some softness

Willis stuck to one of her versatile, go-to outfit formulas: a simple slip dress. The dress of choice is one of Nili Lotan’s signature dresses. “It has thin, delicate straps that look beautiful on the collarbone,” Willis explains. “I like the daintiness of the dress juxtaposed against the hard graphic print of the coat. They play well together.”

Nili Lotan Enora Silk Short Dress

$595 at Nili Lotan

Keep coat length in mind

You’ll want your trench coat to hit just below your calf so it’s not too short or too long, so be sure to take some extra time in the dressing room figuring out your fit. If you’re also wearing a silk dress or skirt, the length shouldn’t hang out of the bottom of the coat. “They should meet at the same place,” Willis says.

Then add a mid-calf boot

Willis added boots from 16Arlington and scrunched them a bit to add the illusion of a different texture. Somewhere between an ankle bootie and knee-high boots, these mid-calf boots can be paired with a midi dress to give the illusion of a longer leg. The heel on these pointed boots will also make you do a double take. “Pointed heels can be a little uncomfortable,” Willis says. “But these have a wider heel at the bottom, which helps them be a bit more comfortable.”

Keep your jewelry simple

Leaning into the idea of ease, Willis accessorized with gold earrings and a necklace from Cartier. This look calls for simple jewelry, like a gold earring or necklace you’d usually grab on your way out.

Cartier Clash de Cartier Necklace

$2670 at Cartier

Cartier Clash de Cartier Earrings

$4350 at Cartier

Get the Look

Here, five printed trenches that make a statement:

Topshop Tie-Dye Oversize Trench Coat

Slightly oversize, the printed trench is a subtle take on tie-dye.

$167 at ASOS

House of Aama Maze Belted Cotton Trench Coat

House of Aama’s graphic trench plays with prints and silhouettes. With belted sleeves and a two-tone pattern, the knee-grazing coat will pair well with your minis.

$990 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Christopher John Rogers Halftone Fractal Soft Car Coat

The soft, satiny car coat plays with Technicolor and trippy patterns for a coat that will turn a few heads.

$1995 at Bergdorf Goodman

Dries Van Noten Floral Printed Trench Coat

Add some moody florals to your closet with this navy trench from Dries. Spotted with bits of blue and pink, there are plenty of color options to style with.

$1338 at MyTheresa

Acne Studios Cow-Print Cotton-Gabardine Trench Coat

Here’s proof that cow print can be just as fun and chic as snake print — and this cotton trench from Acne Studios pairs just as well with sexy slip dresses.

$1450 at Net-A-Porter