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Not only is it OK to skip the buckle and tie your long trench coat belt, it'll flatter your womanly curves and soften the masculine air of the coat if you opt for tying. Worn correctly, a long trench coat will look anything but manly -- think Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in her tied trench topped with a head scarf and shades. How you tie the belt is just as much a part of that stylish mystique as what you wear under and beneath your trench.
Why Tie?
If you've got an hourglass figure or are carrying some extra poundage around your middle, you'll look like a shapeless blob in an untied, long trench coat. By tying the belt firmly around your waist, though, you conjure up some optical illusion magic. The flaring hem of the trench balances out with the lapels up top, making your stomach appear pleasingly tiny. If you're as skinny and leggy as a French runway model, you can theoretically get away with leaving the trench undone, but tying it will help accentuate your curves as well, so don't turn your nose up at the idea. Why not just belt the trench up instead of going for tying? The belt can only buckle in one way; tying the belt, however, allows you to make that little strip of material work as a fashion accessory depending on how you tie it.
Tying the Belt
Your basic, go-to trench coat method is to tie the belt so that the knot hits directly in the middle of your body. Let the ends of the belt dangle jauntily or, if you're worried they'll get slammed in a door and make you look silly, tuck those loose ends into your pockets. For a hipper, chic look, tie the knot at your side and experiment with some different knot styles. You can even slide the belt around and tie it with the knot in the back. Regardless of how you tie the belt, don't worry about the dangling buckle -- fashionistas say it's not considered a style faux pas. By the way, you also don't have to have the trench buttoned to tie the belt.
Other Tying Ideas
Never got the knot-tying patch in Girl Scouts or just not perked up by the thought of fooling with tying your trench belt? You've got options besides buckling up the belt that came with your trench. Try removing it and cinching a wide belt with an attention-grabbing buckle around your waist instead. You can amp up the professional score of this pairing if you wear a simple, solid-colored shift dress beneath the trench and leave the buttons unfastened. Top the look off with a necklace, earrings and bracelets that complement the colors in your belt. If you're a dab hand with scarves, you could use that as an unusual replacement for your trench belt. Pair brightly colored, flowing scarves with a trench in a bright solid hue such as canary yellow or fire engine red.
What to Wear With Your Trench Coat
Make your hourglass-emphasizing trench coat look it's best by never wearing it with long skirts or dresses. The hem should hit your leg either at the same place as the trench's hem or, ideally, just above it. When it comes to pants, practically anything goes. Jeans of any cut, leggings or fitted, flared trousers all work fine. Think heels -- high-heeled pumps, strappy wedged sandals, midcalf or thigh-high heeled boots -- whenever you're picking shoes to pair with your trench coat outfits. The extra height adds an elegant air to your already curve-enhanced silhouette.
