There are some items of clothing that are always a good idea as we try to make it through the winter. A roll neck jumper, for instance, is one such item. A perfect pair of boots is another. A trench coat is, perhaps surprisingly, also high on this list. These items don't discriminate, they suit absolutely everybody and you can wear them throughout the year. The influencer set has already chosen the trench coat that you'll soon be seeing everywhere this spring: Aligne's Barnaby Reversible Wax Trench Coat. If you think you recognise it, you're probably right – this is the cover-up which dominated last season's Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW), where countless show-goers were wearing the original beige and check version. This week, with the latest CPHFW in full swing, the Danish capital has once again been overtaken by sightings of Aligne's Barnaby coat, only this time, it's in a different colour combo.
aligne.co
Aligne has form when it comes to outerwear that has sell-out status. Back in 2023, it was the Gilda, an oversized trench with an extra-long hemline that sold out completely within six weeks of first dropping. The Barnaby has already proven that it's just as in-demand, especially as it's reversible (the OG had a sandy-coloured wax coating on one side and heritage check on the reverse, while the new version is a chic stone colour on one side, navy on the other), meaning it's practically two coats in one. It also has thoughtful details like chunky turn-ups on the cuff that elevate it above your average gabardine trench.
The biggest clue that it has already become a modern classic, however, is that it's captured the interest of tastemakers at Copenhagen Fashion Week for the second season in a row. So many have been spotted in the exact trench, just like last season when the beige coat became ubiquitous (and sold out, prompting over 1,000 people to sign up to the waiting list).
Hollie Mercedes Peters, who hosted an even in collaboration with Aligne, paired her Barnaby coat with a denim skirt and striped polo top, finished off with knee-high boots. Polly Sayer, who called the coat 'epic' on Instagram, wore hers with classic jeans, white socks and loafers, for a cool take on preppy style.
The best news of all is that, despite the influencer endorsements, Barnaby is in stock in all sizes (UK 4-22) for £189. While you may typically associate trenches with warmer climes, it's fair to say that, with the right layering, this coat will keep you just as warm as its wool counterpart.
You will need to be quick, however, as it won't hang around forever. And it would be a shame to see it on Instagram (again) before you see it in your own wardrobe.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.