It’s always fun to introduce a new sewing pattern because I get to show you all my obsessions for the past six months! Ready? Here’s my little rabbit hole for our new Prado Trench Coat. You can read my introduction to this pattern right here.
I already mentioned how trench coats are both classic and trendy right now, by which I mean that trench coats are always considered a wardrobe basic/essential for many people. But right now they are especially popular, and you’re seeing them everywhere. For example, a few shots I pulled from social media:
What’s to love about a trench coat? Well, they’re incredible versatile and fun to wear. Take these photos, for example. Worn over anything from a hoodie to an evening gown, a trench coat is a great layer that makes everything you wear with it look more chic.
There are so many fun ways to sew a trench coat! Take a look at this color blocking, which I’m sure is quite pricey if you purchase it in a shop. But, depending on your fabric stash, you might even be able to make it from leftover scraps, or at least embellish it with leftovers from previous projects. I love the little colored details, which you could do so easily. You might even consider just making the under-side of the tabs a different color or a floral print to add a subtle custom touch to your own version of this style.
And I’m finding the cropped version, View B, to be incredibly versatile as a layer. Remember, you can sew this with or without the belt and the cape, so you have lots of options to make this your own personal style. Take another look at that cropped leather trench in the photo above! Love, love, love.
Most trench coats are a neutral color to enable you to wear it a lot, with anything in your wardrobe. But if you’re not into neutrals, sew it in a bright color or a print! I’m really happy with my brilliant red/orange version even though I wear almost exclusively neutrals in real life. I can’t wait for the weather here to warm up a bit so I can wear this on a regular basis!
Here are a few more photos I liked during the development process for this style. What if you sew the trench coat in linen and eliminate the sleeves? Chic summer layer. And I like how these other photos are styled with the denim and with the sweater as a scarf.
And since I mentioned leather, just a reminder that you can use so many different fabrics for this style! Obviously twill or gabardine are classics, but I encourage you to think a little more outside the usual fabrics and consider denim or canvas or home decorating fabrics like sateen or a fancy brocade. And if you’re wanting a winter coat this style it great for it! Here are some of the photos that inspired me to make my green wool coat, which I talked about yesterday in a separate post.
Now I’m looking for a chance to cut another cropped coat (View B) using some gorgeous blue Thom Browne wool tweed that’s been waiting in my stash. And S is probably going to steal the cropped version on the cover of the pattern when she returns to school in a couple of weeks. I’ll let her take it–always feels good when she likes something I make enough to take it from me!
You can find more photos and ideas in my Liesl + Co Prado Trench Coat Pinterest folder, which is where I keep all the photos that inspire me.
In any case, I can’t wait to see what you sew with this pattern! Any questions? Tell me what you’re thinking about this one because I really want you to be successful with it. It’s such a fun style to play with, and to wear, of course!
You can pick up your own copy of the Prado Trench Coat in digital format right here. Be sure to tag us #pradotrench and #lieslandco please! I just love to see what you do with our patterns, and I have a feeling you’re going to be doing some amazing things with this one!