Last week we talked about the ever-classic Burberry trench coat (read my reviews), which is undoubtedly one of the most loved pieces in my wardrobe! Over the years I’ve gotten so many requests for budget-friendly alternatives, thus I went on a trench quest across a variety of brands. I made sure all the options in today’s post also come in petite sizing, to help minimize the need for alterations! Without further ado, here’s the review lineup ranked in order of retail price (not factoring in discounts, which can occasionally be sizable):
ASOS Petite Classic Trench Coat
Sizes: Petite 00 – 12
Bottom Line: Darker tan option available in small petite sizing for under $90
I love ASOS for their small petite sizing, but have to admit I usually shop there for trendier items and not “classic” ones. The first thing I noticed is that the outer material on this looks and feels like regular cotton (it’s a cotton-poly blend), unlike most trenches in this post which have some sort of water-repellant fabric with a sheen to it. Not necessarily a bad thing, depending on what you’re looking for. The 00P hit me around mid-thigh and has a nipped in waist and full lining. The belt is on the shorter side, which some people will like (I prefer my trench belts a little longer in order to tie a bow). This jacket didn’t wow me or anything, but I didn’t think it was bad for the affordable price.
Express Classic Trench with Trapunto Stitch Sash
Sizes: Petite XS – L, Regular XXS-XL
Bottom line: Shorter-length with a thicker, wrinkle-resistant material. However, most petite sizes are sold out (hopefully they will be restocked).
I’ve mentioned this one a few times before – I have it in xsp which is a little loose on me, so am really hoping they’ll add xxsp and re-stock the other sizes, too. This is a shorter trench, so petite ladies could potentially try the longer regular sizing, and get the sleeves shortened and the belt loops moved up (waiting for a sale can help make up for alteration costs). With their regular sizing, I’d also suggest going one down from your usual petite size if possible. I personally love the material of this jacket. It has a good weight/thickness to it, feels rain-repellant, and is great for travel!
London Fog Heritage Trench Coat (with liner)
Sizes: Petite XS – L, Regular XS – XL
Bottom line: Versatile and water-repellant with detachable hood and liner vest. Unfortunately, sizing only starts at petite XS and runs big.
For those who typically wear petite size small or above, I thought this was a very good option. Don’t go off the lackluster pictures here, since it’s not the right size for me. This jacket has many of the timeless trench coat design elements, a detachable hood to keep your head dry, plus a removable quilted liner vest that will carry you into chillier days. I’m bummed they don’t make this in smaller petite sizing, especially since the overall fit of London Fog as a brand is on the roomier side. I didn’t expect this to fit me because I know it’s not my size, but it still feels bigger than other XSP jackets I’ve tried on (especially when the liner is removed). I’d recommend trying one size down, if available.
London Fog Petite Hooded Trench CoatΒ (also inΒ regular sizing)
Sizes: Petite XXS – XL, Regular XS – XXL
Bottom line: Lighter weight option with detachable hood.
Another one from London Fog – this is the first one I’ve seen in xxs petite, so it might be a Macy’s exclusive size. The material is lighter weight than the other options in this post, with a raincoat-material feel. I found this to fit true to size compared to American brands (thus, bigger than ASOS), with a looser casual cut instead of slim/fitted. Size xxsp hits me right above the knees and leaves me with plenty of room to layer. It’s unfortunately almost out of stock in the khaki and navy (all sizes are still available in black), but I hope some of you were able to pick one up when I last mentioned this in a blog post.
Banana Republic Belted Mac Trench
Sizes: Petite XXS – L, Regular XS – XL
Bottom line: Jacket is unlined (whyyy).
A year or two ago, I think BR would’ve been the first place I’d turn to for a reasonably-priced, classic petite trench. Their options this year have very mixed reviews, with complaints about the material and the lack of a lining. This one looks fine from the outside and fits true to size, but I think most shoppers will want a lining on a trench coat. BR does have another option that’s lined, but I didn’t order it to try because the reviews were lukewarm.
J.Crew Icon Trench Coat (current version)
Sizes: Petite 000-12, Regular 000-16
Bottom line: Classic, slimmer-fit option available in a tiny petite size.
J.Crew has been making their cotton icon trench for a while, and added 000p in this about two years ago. In the realm of trench coats, they don’t have much competition with this tiny sizing niche – as you can see, a large portion of the reviews online for this trench are specifically from women who needed 000 or 00 petite.
With J.Crew I usually take 000 petite in skirts (which sadly doesn’t seem available anymore!) and 00 petite in everything else. I’m trying on a size 000 petite trench here and it was too tight across my underarm area, so should suit someone who is typically a size down from me. For a trench coat at this mid-higher price point, my only qualm is that the torso is cut pretty straight, so is a bit shapeless without the belt tied.
Whew! I’m now all trenched-out, but I hope this was helpful! Let me know which style above was your favorite, and if I missed any good options that are currently available!
Hi Jean! If you or any readers are planning to travel to Shanghai, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a custom trench coat made at the fabric market (South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market). I lived in Shanghai for 8 months and would make weekly trips here to get custom clothes made (coats, dresses, pants, even leather jackets!) – it's a GOLD MINE! Turnaround is pretty quick but I would recommend allowing a week for your item(s) to be made and adjusted/altered if necessary. Some stalls will even deliver to your hotel if you can't make it back to the market. I miss it so much…
Hi Jean–where do you get your tailoring done in Boston? I haven't been able to find a good one since moving to the city and would appreciate any tips!
Thanks so much, Jean π
Jean, I recently purchased the lined Banana Republic trench coat (in black) that you linked to. I am 4'10", 92 lbs, and the PXXS fits quite well. The belt loops are in the right spot, the sleeves are just a teeny bit longer than I would like (hitting just past the vee of my thumb and palm), but probably not worth altering. The construction seems good quality, with several Burberry-esque details. I think it is a good option, despite the mixed online reviews.
Hi Erin and Karen! Sorry for the delayed response … the one I tried on is the Stone color, but the lighting was not great when I took the photo so it's lower quality. I just looked more closely at my photos vs theirs and then the actual jacket, and the true color is actually in between both of our photos. It's not quite as light and gray of a khaki as in my photos, but also not a warmer tan like their stock photo shows. I think the Stone is a pretty timeless trench color.
Hi Marie, have you tried on their most recent ones in size 0, specifically the ones I reviewed on my blog last week? They don't have petite sizing but provide complimentary alterations.
To be fair, they do have one that is lined but I didn't get to try it on. But in general, yes, always sad when some of our favorite brands change up the quality of their core pieces!
I don't think so, unfortunately…but I sure wish they did!
Hi! It's the Stone color. I just looked more closely at my photos vs theirs and then the actual jacket, and the true color is actually in between the two. It's not quite as light and cool of a khaki as in my photos, but also not a warmer tan like their stock photo shows.
Hi Valeri! I'm happy to hear that and to be a reference point : ) Although I have to admit, my own size and weight shifts all the time so I try my best to reference sizing in terms of how more popular brands fit.
Hi Christie! I didn't do that fist test, but I would say none of the above arrived to me in the mail wrinkled (usually the first tell-tale sign). The Express is the only one I've worn out and about so I can speak from experience it does not wrinkle. The London Fog Heritage trench has a similar feeling material and also seemed pretty wrinkle-prone.
Great round up Jean! I have a BR "lady trench" which I bought in late 2007 (gasp, that was almost 10 years ago!) that is still holding up well, other than a small hole in one of the pockets which I really should send to the tailor to fix. I remember paying full price of $228, which was a lot of money back then when I was fresh out of college. However, considering I've worn it for 7-8 years (there were 1.5 year when I was living in a tropical city with average temperature of 80F+ throughout the year and did not need a jacket at all), it was well worth the investment!
Such a great post. It's really hard finding a jacket that fits right, esp at the shoulders.
insta | bloglovinβ
This post was very thorough and helpful, Jean! Thank you! I especially love the first pic with the cherry blossoms!
Hi Hannah,
I actually purchased the ASOS trench before seeing this post, and when I did was worried because it didn't seem as nice as the other options. But SO glad to hear that you really liked your coat because their petite sizing is always so spot on and I hate going to the tailor.
Now I'm really excited for mine to arrive π
Cheers.
thank you! I have spent more years than I care to think of looking for a trench coat that fits…this helps SO MUCH
Love this selection of trench coats, especially the 1st one, the colour is gorgeous on this one!
https://ariadibari.com/
Such a lovely post dear <3
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
Classic trench is always a great choice! Beautiful spring pictures!
xx
http://www.mybeautrip.com
I have the same question
Hi Jean- quick question: I love the LONDON FOG HERITAGE TRENCH COAT from Nordstrom, but in your photos, the color looks lighter than what Nordstrom shows on their website. Did you order the coat in the "Stone" color or the "Bisque" color? I'm looking for a light khaki color, but the Stone seems too dark and the Bisque seems too pink…
Thank you!!
I tried burberry trench coat but they are too big for me in the arms and shoulder. Have you had yours altered or does burberry have petite sizing? I coudnt find any petite sizing so far..
Great post
xx
The Pink Pineapple
new post:http://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/
Wow, I can't believe how much Banana Republic's quality has declined. I own one of their classic trench coats and I bought it six years ago. I'm 5'3" and it fit perfectly off the rack. It's lined and it has nice details like epaulets in the shoulders and little belts on the sleeves.
It depends on your intent!! π
Adieu: (literary)
Exclamation 1. goodbye
Noun 1. goodbye "he whispered a fond adieu"
Ado: noun 1.fuss, especially about something that is unimportant.
"on the face of it, this is much ado about almost nothing"
2.trouble or difficulty.
"she had much ado to keep up with him"
Nice you included trenches for a budget. But my heart goes to the burberry one.
XOXO // Check out my latest post if you like π
SINCERELY OPHELIA | CELINE TRIO: WHAT FITS.
A trenchcoat is a perfect classic piece to add to any wardrobe! Great post
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Hi Jean, thanks so much for the reviews ….I did got a BR trench classic trench back in 2012 is fully linen and fits perfect am 5"0 /105 pounds I have been very happy with it for the past 5 years π time to get a new one now but will go to a store to try on since looks like BR have changed the quality and sizes
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=8993030020000&cid;=99915
Great review! Do you know if express has an option to notify on mail when they restock an item?
This is a great review roundup! What color are you wearing in the London Fog Heritage Trench Coat (with liner) from Nordstrom? I looks like a lighter khaki, which I like, but when I go to their site they only have the darker more caramel color. Thanks!
You're the BEST. Thank you so much for your reviews. I'm getting better and better at applying them to me and my body type. While you and I are the same height, I've learned I'm more of a SP and I no longer try XSP. The XSP were always just the tiniest bit too snug and didn't feel or look right.
Thank you for this awesome post! I recently tried both the J. Crew and ASOS trenches–for me, the clincher was color. I'm so pale that most greenish khakis wash me out, so I was glad that the ASOS one was a warmer tone. I do wish the belt were longer, and it doesn't seem super water resistant, but the price is right and it fits great so it's staying!
I love the first outfit!
xoxo
Mariateresa Scotti
Fashion secrets of a pretty girl
FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – TWITTER – LOOKBOOK
Great list, I appreciate the various price points! I have also found Michael Kors petite coats to be a good fit for myself and decent price point.
-Amanda
Jean, I always find that cotton-based jackets wrinkle like mad and the material just doesn't look nice without extra care/attention. Basically, if you grab a fist full of the material and squeeze for a half-second, those become permanent wrinkles. Kind of hard to describe this but, any chance any of your recommendations above are made of an easier-to-keep fabric? Is that what you mean re: the one that's "travel-friendly"?
Thanks!
Oops, thank you!! : )
Love these affordable options! Thank you for sharing:P
Shall We Sasa
A trench I have loved is the Via Spiga "Scarpa" (on Nordstrom, currently $130), although the pleats mean the cut isn't quite as classic as the ones above.
Also, this is very minor, but I think you have a small typo in the first paragraph! ("without further adieu" –> I think you mean "ado"?)
Thanks so much for the roundup! Your reviews are immensely helpful as always, and you look lovely in all of the trenches π
I love that you provide different price options. Honestly to me there's not reason not to take the cheaper one because they all look pretty much the same!
-Kirsten // http://www.porkandcookies.com
The express one is so cute! I might get one for myself <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
Thanks for looks! Trenchcoat – one of my favorite outerwear!
Ritalifestyle.com | Insta: rita__maslova
Thanks thanks for the review! Zara has one that I own and really like.
https://m.zara.com/us/en/woman/outerwear/trench-coats/double-breasted-trench-coat-c0p4122539.html
Trenches are such a classic, this will definitely come in handy!
http://styledfortheoccasion.com
These all look adorable on you! Love the way you tie the belt into a bow π xo Kelly https://happypandabeautyblog.blogspot.com/
I love a good trench coat! I took forever during Autumn and Winter to find one that fit perfectly and I'm so happy I did! It's a wonderful option to have!
I hope you have a lovely Thursday Jean!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk
All beautiful and affordable Trench looks. Very pretty! π
οΏ½οΏ½LA BIJOUX BELLA οΏ½οΏ½| By Mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
Thank you for the guide, perfect for us petite girls!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hi Jean,
Great round-up of trench coats! I own the J. Crew Factory one and an old Banana Republic one. I'm also surprised to see the new BR one unlined! Hopefully Express will also offer smaller sizing with their Petite collection! Thanks for your recommendations!
~Jessica