Coat, trench, poncho: outerwear for business spring 2024
Women's outerwear for the spring season can be very diverse. You can change outfits at least every day depending on the weather: a warm coat, a waterproof raincoat, a stylish leather jacket, a cozy cardigan ... But what to wear if you spend almost all your time in the office and must comply with the business dress code? We offer the most fashionable and relevant outerwear for an office look in the spring of 2024.
A coat is the basis of a business look for cold days
A coat, in any case, should be in the wardrobe, and even more so in a business wardrobe. This is the basic thing that is indispensable in the off-season. Moreover, modern coats can be worn not only with shoes, boots or boots, but also with sneakers. Coats can be lined warm or lighter for sunny days. Which coat to choose for spring 2024? Here are the main trends.
1. Fit oversize
Previously, when the word "coat" came to mind, classic traditional options came to mind: knee-length, fitted cut, strict fit, the presence of darts and yokes, inner pockets, belt, buttons, English collar ... Today, a coat can be completely different, and it of the most popular - this is an option as if "from someone else's shoulder." Loose and voluminous, of sufficient length, with a deflated sleeve line - this style is called oversize, and sometimes boyfriend.
It can be worn with both classic business suits and sportswear. For a business look, oversized coats are also perfect, because under them you can wear a jacket with wide shoulders, and a tight office sundress, and a cozy sweater. It is these oversize and boyfriend options that are now offered to be worn by designers Victoria Beckham, Bottega Veneta, Proenza Schouler, Paul Smith, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga and Fendi.
2. Camel color
The so-called “camel” color is definitely one of the most popular shades of 2024. It is quite calm, although it can change its tones from darker to light, and also have admixtures of orange, mustard or gray. In any case, this color is considered very sophisticated, it can "refine" any look.
Clothes in camel color look expensive and status, especially if it is a dense textured fabric - just the kind that is used for sewing coats: felt, wool, cashmere.
The camel shade is inherently considered achromatic, along with white, black and gray. That is, it is assumed to match any other color in the spectrum. Camel outerwear does not require duplication in other wardrobe items or accessories of your look. This color will look especially relevant in the off-season, when it is still cool outside. Warm beige, brown and mustard shades can warm you in cold weather.
3. Artificial fur
Faux fur came into fashion last season and has become popular with many. Fashionistas actively flaunted in warm fur coats and short fur coats in winter, of different styles and different colors. And this trend has successfully passed into the spring season. Faux fur coats can be of both classic cut and more voluminous "oversized", as well as different lengths and with different decor. It all depends on what kind of business look you intend to build with such outerwear.
For spring, it is better to choose not too fluffy versions of faux fur, without long pile. The soft teddy bear plush remains ideal, it is thinner and not too fuzzy. Prefer fabrics with natural wool synthetic filament as they will be easier to care for. Choose a coat without inner insulation and without lining, with ¾ sleeves or without sleeves at all (elongated vest coats).
A trench coat is perfect for a rainy spring
The classic Trench Coat was made to protect the military in the rain. It has recognizable details: a thick English collar, deep pockets, a yoke on the back for rainwater to flow down it. The front of the trench coat has a gun valve on one side to protect the shooter's shoulder from recoil. Did you think this was an interesting asymmetrical detail? And on the back of the belt there is a special D-shaped buckle - for hanging a grenade on it!
A modern trench coat is not required to fulfill all these functions, and indeed many details have become an exquisite decoration for this outerwear. One thing is known: in 2024, you can't do without a trench coat. It's incredibly chic, and the looser, straight-cut and beltless options can be worn with trainers, trainers, and slip-ons if your office dress code allows them. Here are the top trench coat trends.
1. Long trench coats
The very first trench coats, which were sewn for the military, reached the knee or were even longer. Modern versions of this outerwear can be of different lengths, it is considered optimal to the knee, on the palm above or below (classic midi length). Shorter options are also common - they are very convenient if you spend a lot of time in public transport or in your own car.
But the hottest trend of spring 2024 will be maxi-length trench coats - ankle-deep or at least mid-calf. Variants that are fitted and with a wide belt look especially good to emphasize the narrowest place, but with a flared bottom, which diverges with a flare to the floor. Such long raincoats are suggested to be worn by designers Burberry, Max Mara, Blumarine, Agnona, Lacoste and Carolina Herrera.
2. Checkered print
In addition to animalistic and floral designs, the plaid is one of the most memorable prints for the spring season. She was loved by designers from all over the world: now and then on the catwalks, checkered coats, shirts, suits and even evening dresses are dazzling. And if you choose a spring trench coat, let it be in a cage: bright and contrasting plaid, checkerboard, "glenchek", "vichy", "goose feet".
A Burberry-style check is considered traditional - this is a Scottish tartan (checkered pattern), which corresponds to a specific clan in Scotland. So, Burberry has patented its own tartan, with a certain amount of criss-crossing stripes and in a special color scheme. By the way, it was the founder of the brand, Thomas Burberry, who first proposed a gabardine trench coat (fabric with waterproof weaving) for the military, and became a clothing supplier for the British army for many years.
3. Genuine leather and eco-leather
If you really choose a trench coat for protection from the weather, then you should pay attention to natural leather or good leatherette, and perhaps even vinyl. All these materials are capable of excellent protection from rain and wind, and spring is known to be changeable. The popular leather trench coat is knee-length and the color is brutal black. Patent leather and vinyl look good in black: Sportmax, Versace, Boss, Lacoste and Bottega Veneta offer 80s-inspired options.
In addition to black, other dark shades also look good: bitter chocolate, burgundy, dark blue, bottle, camel color. The discreet decor will also be original: embossing, perforation, quilting. If you want more spring brilliance, you can choose beige, cream, powdery, as well as pastel blues, pinks, greens, lavender, lemon and vibrant reds and oranges. We saw such trench coats at Tod's, Sies Marjan, Coach 1941, Christian Cowan, Fendi and Max Mara.
Ponchos and capes - an alternative to the traditional raincoat
Both ponchos and capes have similar features: these clothes are wide and flared from the shoulder, they have no sleeves. But if the poncho can be imagined as a square blanket folded in half diagonally, with a cutout for the head, then the cape has a more complex cut. Despite the differences, both ponchos and capes are equally popular in the spring season, and both options fit perfectly into a business style. We will tell you about the details of each, as well as how and with what to wear them.
1. Poncho
The traditional poncho was exactly what we described above - a cape made of a rectangular piece of warm fabric with a slit in the middle for the head.Simple and convenient: you can even make it yourself, and you do not need to have the skills of a dressmaker. The poncho came into European fashion from the Indians - this is their traditional clothing. The color, finish and pattern of the fabric varied depending on the area and the Indian tribe. By the way, even today ponchos in ethnic style will be especially spectacular: bright colors, with patterns and ornaments, embroidery, fringe.
Modern ponchos for spring can be monochromatic, both in dark and light colors. Both the shade and the fabric can be chosen at your discretion. For a business wardrobe, ponchos made of coat fabrics, felt, wool are perfect, as well as beautiful knitted capes, suitable for both spring and summer evenings. There are options without a fastener, which are worn over the head, and there are those that are wrapped or fastened in front with one or more buttons, or tightened with a lace.
2. Cape
The term “cape” is translated from English as “cape”. This outerwear really resembles a poncho and even has a similar shape. But the cut of the cape is much more complex, it is not just a square piece of fabric folded in half. The cape is sewn practically like a coat, that is, it has a clearly defined shoulder line, and therefore is classified by size, while a poncho is often universal. In addition to the shoulder line, the cape also has slots for the arms. But the collars and sleeves are missing here, like the poncho.
Cape looks much more elegant than a poncho, and this is not surprising. After all, the cape came to modern fashion from the wardrobe of aristocrats, it was also worn by the clergy in the Middle Ages. The cape can be with or without a fastener, and a collar can also be present in it. As for the length, it can be very different. But it is better in 2024 to prefer a palm length above the knee - we saw such options on the catwalks of the most famous fashion houses: Prada and Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana and Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Valentino and Armani.
Author Tatiana Maltseva