The classic trench coat is a style that has been in fashion with very little change since the 1940s, which makes it a great easy to find addition to your costume wardrobe without having to make one. Mine is this modern lightweight lavender coat, scored at a thrift store years ago for a dollar or two, which I break out every spring.

It's very basic, with straight lines, a tie belt, buttons down the front, collar, and patch pockets. All very typical of 1940s coats, which were yet another civilian way to incorporate military styles in their fashion. This particular style is very practical and turned out to be extremely popular and worn yet today.

While a lot – perhaps most – 1940s trench coats were double breasted, there were also the single breasted coats like this one, so you don't have to worry about accuracy in that regard when coat shopping.

In the 1950s, trench coats tended to be either boxier and worn without a belt (though belts were also worn), so the style we know today is most suitable, costume wise, for the 1940s era.

Long coats were usually the same length as the dress hem, or perhaps a little shorter as hem lines varied from year to year – but never, never longer than the dress underneath – something to keep in mind if you want to look well put together.

While trench coats are typically neutral colors today, especially khaki, in the 1940s they were often bright and interesting shades like mustard yellow, sky blue, forest green, etc. So again, the lavender color of this one is right on track – and it's surprisingly easy to pair with different outfits, something that I wasn't sure about when I got it.

One nice thing about a trench coat style is that it isn't fitted at the waist, which makes it adjustable and more likely to fit different body types, rather than a princess style coat – also a popular vintage style from the 1930s on.

This was my Palm Sunday ensemble this year. I paired the coat with a season-transitional dress I made for Thanksgiving a few years ago. It's another one of those dresses that was too big for me and now fits me again, with an alternate (i.e adjustable) belt. 🙂

I still want to make another one eventually in a solid color so the details show better – and try narrower ruffles this time.

Once again…wind made pictures challenging.

I always enjoy a change from my heavy winter coats and sweaters once it's spring enough to wear my light coats! When it costs practically nothing, is suitable vintage style, and I didn't have to make it, so much the better!