A cotton trench is the kind of springtime essential that simply doesn't go out of style. Differentiated from its foul-weather sister by its shorter cut and lighter construction, it's the perfect jacket to throw on over a springy floral dress if there's still a hint of chill in the air. This week, we're putting offerings from the Gap and J.Crew in the back-to-back spotlight. Here's what we found:
Though we love all of the details on the J. Crew version–fantastic oversize buttons, a great print lining, embroidery stitching, and sleeve closures–we still can't quite get behind it. Theoretically, it's fine if you were wearing it with a pair of shorts in a safari-inspired ensemble or like seen here, but the proportion of the jacket might come off a bit short over longer items. There's something lacking in the color department, as well–the khaki color isn't rich enough, while the navy color (not shown) might be a bit dark.
Gap's offering, however, hits many a right note. Kudos to designer Patrick Robinson–we've been noticing a slow and steady improvement in the designs at the Gap and if there's anyone to thank, then surely its him. What sets their trench apart? For starters, we love the colors offered–the navy (shown here) has just a hint of grey in it, the creamy yellow is quite adorable, and the pecan is great take on a darker British khaki color that reads a bit more elegant. To boot, it cuts a longer line, hitting mid-thigh.
