Seasonal Basics

H&M trench coat (similar)
Noul sweater (similar)
Mavi jeans (c/o)
Everlane boots
Chanel handbag
RayBan sunglasses
Elizabeth Lyn Jewelry necklace (similar)
Elizabeth Lyn Jewelry necklace (c/o)
Maris Pearl Co. earrings (c/o)
Location: Saint Boniface Cathedral – Winnipeg, Manitoba

I have, somewhat unexpectedly, been living in my trench coat this season. I believe in good quality basics as the foundation of a wardrobe that is both functional and stylish. In my mind, a trench is one of those basics, and my wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without it. But I will freely admit that most years, my opportunities to wear my trench are few and far between.

My belief in good basics means I spent years of my life searching for the perfect trench coat. I spent most of those years of my life in Vancouver, where it rains constantly and a trench is a real necessity. But I never found the one. That would have been too easy. My perfect trench finally appeared in my life, a lone coat misplaced on a rack in the basement of a Parisian H&M, just months after we relocated to Winnipeg. Better late than never, I suppose. (Truly, the discovery came at the perfect time – my London trench moment remains a favourite fashion memory.)

But Winnipeg basics and Vancouver basics aren’t the same. The pieces you need in your wardrobe can vary quite widely depending on the climate where you live. Rain is a rare occurrence in Winnipeg. While we technically have four seasons, we often jump from winter to summer so quickly that if you aren’t paying attention, you could miss spring entirely. Most years, there is about one day, maybe two at the most, when its warm enough to wear a trench but not too warm to wear a trench.

This year is another matter. While I impatiently await the arrival of consistently sunny skies and warm weather, most days when I wake up, the temperature is still below zero. Some days, we are lucky and the sun stays out long enough during the day that it climbs to around ten or twelve degrees, but there is still a bracing chill in the air if the right gust of wind hits you. A coat is still essential. Not a heavy wool one, but a coat. Enter the trench.

I’ve already been dreaming of summer – and planning my warm weather wardrobe – for a month. My summer basics, like a pair of black mom fit denim shorts and a white ribbed knit dress, are already hanging on the rolling rack in my office, waiting for their debut. But in reality, summer is still probably far away, so I’m trying to look on the bright side – at least I’ve gotten to really wear my trench coat this year.