As many students grieve summer’s end, others welcome Autumn with open arms. With its colder climate and orange hues, Autumn is an (admittedly compulsory) invitation to wrap up warm and try to still express fashion ideals.
Past Autumn seasons have seen the rise of the infamous The North Face Nuptse 1996 jacket. An iconic paparazzi snap of Kendall Jenner miraculously turned the brown North Face puffer into Depop gold, with bidding prices hitting well-over £500 for the sought-after jacket. This year, it seems the bulky puffer is losing its allure as students prefer to prioritise the versatility and style of their outwear.
This season, as the harsh tides bring a breeze to St Andrews, students are combatting the cold and adding depth to their outfits through layering. Layering can be minimalist, such as wearing a turtleneck under a hoodie and chunky scarf on top of a jacket, or maximalist, seamlessly mixing different textures and patterns. Unlike the puffer jacket, which zips up to the chin, classic trench coats align with the recent fascination around layering, featuring an open neck and allowing contrasting colours from layered items to feature whilst still leaving room for accessories like necklaces.
Having dominated fashion weeks across Europe for half a decade, the puffer, while perfect for colder climates, falls short of the timeless style of the trench coat that cannot be outdone – and students seem to agree. The rise of the trench coat could be credited to the elegance of its silhouette, something that the puffer can’t offer, or its slimmer build which makes it the perfect transition piece for the awkward transitional period between the changing of leaves and snow fall.
Perhaps it’s also important to consider why St Andrews students are wearing them too. Walking in between lectures it’s impossible not to see a handful of students wearing trench coats, both long and short. Geographically, the secluded environment and bubble atmosphere of St Andrews makes it impossible to not to be inspired by those around us, and the architecturally mediaeval backdrop of the university certainly creates a premonition that we should dress accordingly.
The duality of the trench coat is also part of its appeal amongst students. Offering an effortless smart-casual look, they’re the easiest way to dress up for an English lecture or dress down for a colloquial coffee date with friends around town without excess effort. Instead of the rigidly casual and repetitive black North Face that we’ve all seen, the trench coat allows students to express and showcase their own personal style as different retailers add their own flare. A belt for an hourglass figure, bulky gold brass buttons for a preppy look or tartan lining – the trench coat allows for a sense of personality and individuality.
Retailers have also taken this into account too, adding fashion-forward designs which have modernised the timeless trench coat with bold colours, most notably rich burgundy’s, navy’s, and dark greens. Alongside this, also experimenting with different materials designed to hold a silhouette such as wool, leather, and suede.
Sported by students and fashion icons like Bella Hadid and Alexa Chung in recent years and reclaiming a place as a staple in our wardrobes, it’s safe to say the rise and return of the trench coat amongst students is here to stay.
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