As I was walking home the other day, I was feeling a bit chilly. Fall in the Midwest can be quite cold and wet. I remembered that I recently purchased a trench coat but I didn't think to wear, boy it would have been perfect for a day like this. Over the years, I've been drawn more and more to trench coats. Maybe it's the versatility, they really can be worn during most seasons. Maybe it's just the casual cool, you can dress a trench coat up or down and I tend to appreciate items that have this duality.

My appreciation wasn't always like this, I mean growing up most of the people I saw wearing them didn't wear them with much style or panache. And when they were worn on TV, either it was worn with buttoned-up earnestness or carelessly rumpled; neither of which really appealed to me.

The trench coat was originally an item of clothing for Army officers (developed prior to the war but adapted for use in the trenches of the First World War). Two London based luxury fashion houses (Burberry and Aquascutum) have laid claim to creating the trench coat, I won't debate this here. However, I'm sure neither would have guessed the role the trench coat would play in fashion 100 years later. Trench coats were first introduced using a heavy cotton gabardine to make them waterproof and were mainly available in khaki.

Today, there are a variety of fabrics and colors used. Take a look at some of the images that accompany this post to get an idea of how you can wear your trench coat. And the next time you're headed outside on a cold and rainy day, maybe you won't forget your trench coat! Stay stylish friends...