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Mar 12, 2021

How to Wear a Trench Coat in a Casual Way and an Alternative to Bright White Sneakers

 Happy Friday! 

Spring is right around the corner and today I'm sharing a neutral trench coat outfit that's perfect for this transitional season we're in right now! It's hard to believe it's already mid-March. We've had a  couple frigid weeks last month and some days it felt like the cold will stick around for a loooooong time! 



In my last outfit post about 4 weeks ago I talked about how I started the Project 333 wardrobe challenge and that at the end of March I was going to select a new set of 33 items for the next 3 months. Well, with the nice weather we've had since the beginning of March, I actually decided that the first week of March was the perfect week for selecting the next 33 items for the following 3 months.  

Let me tell you, this time around it was not as easy as when I did it in the middle of winter when no transitional clothes were needed!! And I have to say I did not manage to keep only 33 items in my closet. I'm still working on it though and with rain in this weekend's forecast I will pick out a few more items to pack away. I know it will get cold again at some point, but I'm sure I don't need 5 winter sweaters!! I'm confident this challenge will get easier as time goes on and it's definitely so rewarding to have fewer clothes to choose from in my closet. Makes getting dressed for the day so much easier!

If you have no idea what this "project 333 challenge" is I'm taking about, I mentioned it more detailed in this blog post from last month.


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How to Wear a Trench Coat in a Casual Way

I don't know about you, but in the past years whenever I've worn a trench coat I felt like I need to "dress up" the rest of the outfit. Well, I live a casual lifestyle and don't really have many reasons to dress up too much, so I haven't reached for my trench coat often, but I love the style and plan on wearing it more this spring!  But instead of dressing it up, I decided to dress it down and make it work to fit my casual lifestyle. I've already worn it a few times this March. It sort of became my "go-to" spring coat this year. 

 


This light tan colored trench coat was a hand-me-down from my dear sister from Germany and I have no link to it.  But trench coats are classic pieces and are always available at most major retailers.


There are a variety of trench coat styles available - short, long and knee lengths; double breasted or single breasted. Shorter and knee length are perfect for petite women (like me), while taller women might prefer a longer or a knee length trench coat. Double breasted styles can make your chest look bigger, so it might work for some, but personally I prefer the single breasted version, maybe because it's the only style I have, as I do like the double breasted one I linked below.

Here are some of my favorites:


                                          
Zip Front Trench Coat (Nordstrom Rack - limited sizes)


Find more trench coats here:




I paired my trench coat with new cigarette jeans by AG which I found at a great discount at Nordstrom Rack about a month ago. These are the AG Prima crop in  mid rise - 9" rise (I've linked to them but only very limited sizes are available now, however a slightly different wash is available at  Nordstrom although at a higher price. These jeans do run small, and going up one size is recommended. I had ordered both for comparison and while I fit into both, the bigger size was definitely a better fit.

I love that these are a crop lengths (25" inseam) which makes them an ankle lengths on me. If you're short then you will know how hard it is to find ankle lengths jeans that actually fit!

As an alternative I also like this pair of slim straight jeans from of Levi's available at Target, as well as  the Joe's Jeans (below right) which is available at Nordstrom Rack. However those are a 28 inch inseam so will be longer than the other two pairs. I'm tempted by the Levi's but really don't need another pair of jeans!




Exact jeans (may be sold out) //Alternative Option from Target // Another Option - fully stocked as I type this



Find more Cigarette/Slim Straight Jeans here:






I came across this striped camel/white colored sweater at Marshall's when I was browsing their clearance rack a few weeks ago. Not really something I should be doing since I'm working to perfect the "project 333 challenge", but this sweater was marked waaaayy down ($12 maybe?) and I thought it would be so perfect for early spring days. It's a thin knit so it's perfect to be worn under a jacket. The brand is Premise. Unfortunately I can't find anything comparable. Maybe this one from Talbots, but it appears to be a thicker knit.





My alternative to white canvas sneakers


One item I wanted to add to my closet was a pair of light colored sneakers, preferably white canvas sneakers. At the same time when I found the jeans I also found the Superga Cotu sneakers in white at Nordstrom Rack as well as the Taos Star sneakers in beige. I ordered both to see which ones I'd like better. 

I decided to return the Superga Cotu sneakers (they just weren't as comfortable for me) and stick with my favorite sneaker brand, the Taos because I just love the comfort they offer with the removable foot bed with arch support, and they are said to be one of the most comfortable travel sneakers. I may not travel that much, but I still want my sneakers to be comfortable even if just walking around a botanical garden, zoo or shopping. This is actually my 3rd pair of Taos sneakers, but the others are in darker colors and I wanted something a little bit lighter. 


By the way, these exact sneakers are still available at Nordstrom Rack  and still are marked down to just under $40 (around $80 directly at Taos or Zappos, and they don't usually go on sale). If you decide to order, please note - this design runs small, and I suggest to go up half a size. I usually wear a size 8 but got these (as well as my older "retro star" sneakers) in a 8.5 wide. (I have wide feet.) 

If you prefer bright white, Nordstrom Rack still has the Superga Cotu sneakers as well. Those do run about a half a size big so you will want to size down.








A camera style crossbody bag was another item that's been on my wishlist - for quite some time actually. When another blogger featured this camera bag on her blog, I decided place an order. The bag comes in several colors, including many neutrals, but I decided to go with the light blush which is a great neutral for spring and summer. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the gold chain accents, but it might work in my favor and add some interest to my otherwise "plain jane" outfits :-)

Exact bag



Since my outfit features two different tones of metals (gold chain on the bag and darker metal hardware on the trench coat) I decided to wear a two tone layered necklace I had picked up from Target a few years ago. This exact one is long gone, but I just had a look at Targets multi strand necklaces and they have many pretty styles to choose from! I really like this particular one, although it's not a two tone necklace. You can take a peek at the necklace in the photo above as well as a better look at the golden chain on the bag.


Thanks so much for visiting!!


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Wednesday: The Card Concept // What's Up Wednesday? (last wed. of month) // The Queen in Between Style Six // Straight A Style // Jersey Girl, Texan Heart // Fashion Frenzy at Seeking Sunshine and Rosy Outlook // Is This Mutton? Wow on Wednesday // Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday //  Welcome Wednesdays //  Classy Flamingos 

21 comments:

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I need to pare down again. I did a post some time ago on analyzing your wardrobe by trying on everything, getting rid of what doesn't fit, sorting out what needed repair, and only keeping the things that you really liked. But a year of wearing nothing but sweats and pjs means I need to look at everything again, now that there is a hope of being able to get out and do more socializing, even if that is still at a safe distance.

Jennifer said...

I really love your coat!

Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer

the 4 M's said...

I really like how your outfit turned out! I love my sneakers during spring (haven't tried this brand yet). This is a perfect outfit for outdoor outings.
www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

Joanne said...

I love that outfit! I rarely think to use my trench coat for anything but I do really like it. I should pull mine out this weekend while we're enjoying some warmer weather.

Mica said...

This is such a nice light outfit for sprung with the trench and the pastel pink! I find a trench coat is such a staple and it goes with everything - although I wear mine in winter mostly because it's too thick and warm for spring.

Hope you are having a good weekend :)

Away From The Blue

Amy Johnson said...

I absolutely love that trench, it's nice to see a white one, most of them are camel colored.

Ellibelle said...

Thanks Amy. It's a light ivory color. Not bright white, so it's perfect!

Ellibelle said...

Thanks so much, Mica! This one would be too thin for winter, but would love a thicker one for the colder months, instead of the usual puffer coats.

Ellibelle said...

Thanks Joanne! It's so perfect for this in-between season!

Ellibelle said...

Thanks Mireille! I purchased my first Taos about 3 or 4 years ago. Love them!

Ellibelle said...

Thanks Jennifer!

Ellibelle said...

I used to sort through just twice a year, but find it so much better to do it more frequently with each season. Hope to keep up with it!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Carole!

Grace | Graceful Rags said...

This is such a cute outfit!! I love the monochrome of it, and the trench is so springy with those stylish sneakers.

Miles of smiles,
Grace

gracefulrags.com

Shelbee on the Edge said...

I am really enjoying all the spring neutrals right now. This outfit is so cute on you, Ellie. I always kind of reserved my trench coats for dressier outfits as well, but it is adorable with this casual denim outfit! Super cute sneakers, too!

Shelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Lovely said...

Love this causal style and that's a wonderful trench coat!
xoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com

Ellibelle said...

Thanks so much, Grace!

Ellibelle said...

Thanks Shelbee! I'm glad I finally decided to wear my trench coat more casually! It's so practical this time of the year.

Ellibelle said...

Thanks so much!

Jessica Jannenga said...

I love your trench coat, the length is great on you! I used to have a lime green one ages ago. They look smart with jeans and your sneakers too.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

mummabstylish said...

Looks super, I love the neutral shades. Thanks for sharing on #chicandstylish #LINKUP Jacqui x

Carrie said...

Trench coasts are one of the best pieces for spring. Classic and a completer for so many looks. Looking pretty, my friend!