How to Style a Graphic Trench Coat

For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds, sign up for the weekly Cut Shop newsletter.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

Here, five printed trenches that make a statement:

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

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.

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

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.

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.