It's in between the seasons that we always have trouble finding what to wear. Our winter coats are returned to the back of our closets, but the days are still nippy enough to need an extra layer.

Like the blue blazer, the trench coat is one of those classic items that never seems to go out of fashion.

From the Green Hornet and Clayface in our favourite comics, to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, the trench has always been the coat of choice for fiction's heroes.

It is also a style statement of many celebrities and style icons.

Who's wearing it?

The girls - Kate Moss, Blake Lively, Alexa Chung, Poppy Delevine, Kate Bosworth, Anna Wintour, Jessica Alba, Naomi Watts.

The guys - Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Justin Bieber, Chace Crawford, Tom Hardy, Luke Evans.

Why do we love it?

Apart from being completely timeless and effortlessly stylish, the trench coat is actually useful.

Its lightweight fabric doesn't weigh us down and is both windproof and shower proof.

It's also completely versatile: it can be worn loose and open, the ties knotted at the back to pull in the silhouette, or buttoned right up and cinched in at the waist for an ultimate hourglass look or in the men's case, that dreamy upside down triangle silhouette.

How to wear it

A trench coat adds a touch of classic tailoring to any look. It's both elegant and relaxed at the same time.

Women: Try chinos or jeans with ballet flats for a casual weekend look a la Audrey Hepburn, or glam it up for the office with a pencil skirt and a great pair of pumps.

Men: A tan trench coat is the old-fashioned wardrobe staple. Wear it as an extra layer over your suits to work, or push up the sleeves and knot the ties behind your back for a casual weekend look.

And as for what to wear it with - don't worry, a trench really does go with anything.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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