How to get 7 Autumn/Winter looks out of one £40 trench coat – and why it’s the only jacket you’ll need until spring

A CLASSIC trench can see you through to spring and beyond.

Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale reveals why it’s the only coat you’ll ever need…

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SEPTEMBER

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This month, the weather is frustratingly unpredictable. From rain one minute to glorious sunshine the next, it’s hard to keep up.

And when it comes to what to wear, it makes dressing tricky.

Luckily, a trench is perfect for this. Nice and light, it can simply be folded away into your bag if you suddenly feel too hot.

Wear it with a midi dress, such as this floral one from Bonmarché.

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Your coat will be light enough for those sunny days, but still warm enough to keep you cosy when the autumn chill sets in.

• , £26, Bonmarché; , £85, John Lewis; , £29.99, New Look

OCTOBER

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As we move into autumn, it’s time to start layering.

Begin with a long sleeve top, such as this one from Peacocks.

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A sweater vest is perfect for adding warmth to your body while keeping your arms cooler – useful at this time of year when it’s not always super chilly.

Boot season is also upon us and this slouchy pair from TU at Sainsbury’s works well with midi skirts and dresses.

Finish the look off with your trench for the ultimate in autumnal style.

, £12, Peacocks; sweater vest, £14, ; skirt, £29.99, Reserved; boots, £65, TU at Sainsbury’s; , £75, Next

NOVEMBER

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November brings the chill, so bigger, thicker knits are a must.

This is the time of year you’d normally ditch your trench in favour of something thicker, but that need not be the case.

Wearing something warm, like a jumper dress, underneath your coat will ensure you stay toasty.

This dress from George at Asda even has a scarf attached, meaning you won’t need to splash out on a separate one.

Wear thick tights and long boots and I promise you won’t miss your big winter coat.

Knitted dress, £22, ; tights, £4.50 for a pack of 3, Primark; boots, £59.99,

DECEMBER

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Now, you may be thinking: “Why is she wearing fewer clothes than with the November outfit?”

Well, December is all about festivities and a trench is the perfect option to wear over your party frock to take you from A to B.

Being beige, it will go with almost everything in your wardrobe and works just as well for both smart and casual occasions.

Dress it up with a clutch, sparkly jewellery and a dress to impress.

Dress, £89, ; bag, £16, George at Asda; necklace, £18, River Island; earrings, £2.50, Peacocks; shoes, £27.99,

JANUARY

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Thermals are a really great option if you want to wear your thinner coats during the winter months.

Using special technology to keep you insulated, Uniqlo has a great range of thermal pieces, such as this long sleeve blue top that can be worn underneath your clothes to keep you warm.

Once you’ve got the base down, layer it up with the likes of an all-in-one, with a scarf over the top.

Finish off with a pair of winter boots for a comfortable, stylish look that will keep you snug in even the coldest of months.

Jumpsuit, £85, ; top, £14.90, ; boots, £45, ; scarf, £18.99,

FEBRUARY

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Trench coats are ultra-versatile and really do work with pretty much everything in your wardrobe.

They can instantly make an outfit look smarter, but also look effortlessly cool when thrown over a casual outfit.

Here, our trusty trench works well over the top of wide leg trousers, a half-zip knit and some loafers. It’s an outfit that would work brilliantly for the office, or on the weekend.

Jumper, £35.99, ; , £32.99; , £35.99, both New Look; socks, £1.99,

MARCH

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Moving away from winter and with the first signs of spring approaching, the trench is a core staple at this time of year.

Go for thinner knits, like this pink knit t-shirt from Next – but as the weather can still be temperamental, an extra layer, like this green TU at Sainsbury’s jumper, can come in handy.

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Pairing the look with a midi skirt and some sophisticated slip-on shoes will ensure that you’re ready for spring.

, £29; shoes, £60 both Next; , £22, TU at Sainsbury’s; , £45.99, Mango