Spring in New York is a glorious, unpredictable beast, and—like everything else in NYC—there’s an art to navigating it. The answer to the question mark that is dressing for wobbly spring weather is undoubtedly a classic trench, which locals embrace when we only need a light layer, and it might get super windy, and it might shower out of the blue, but it also might be warm enough that we want to push up our sleeves. Perhaps simultaneously.
Given how New Yorkers gravitate towards chic-yet-practical dressing, it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that trench coats and sneakers are the foundation of so many perfect spring looks spotted in the city. It’s the classic high-low mix—an effortless pairing of polished tailoring and highly practical subway-and-cobblestone-friendly flat footwear that New Yorkers do so well.
With so many good sneakers popping up this season, the outfit options are endless: A colorful retro-inspired pair adds extra trendiness, a white sneaker gives a classic sporty edge, while black leather styles feel cool but low-key. Pair them with the elegance (and drama, let’s be honest) of a perfectly draped trench, and you have yourself the NYC spring uniform. As always, I brought receipts for a little outfit inspo—here’s how seven stylish New Yorkers are wearing trench coats and sneakers this season.
With Tonal Neutrals
Tonal dressing is a solid short cut to rich-looking casual looks. A classic trench and camel trousers paired with a fresh white tee and sneakers is spring in a nutshell.
Vince
Utility Trench Coat
Éterne
Short Sleeve Boyfriend T-Shirt
Oliver Peoples Eyewear X Khaite
1993c Sunglasses
Over Athleisure
We are all sometimes a person who needs to look put-together while secretly knowing that the only way they can survive the day (physically, mentally, emotionally) is by wearing leggings. I believe that a trench coat is your way through.
Reformation
Matteo Trench
Loulou De Saison
Sage Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
Gap
Gapfit Lightweight Performance Leggings
Zara
Combination Running Shoes
Le Specs
Outta Love Sunglasses
Bottega Veneta
Medium Andiamo Bag
With Black & White
A little moment for trench coats over sporty black and white looks—especially when we’re talking about pairing a white skirt with a black tee (love it like I loved white jeans and black jackets all winter), and even more so with black leather sneakers which are feeling very downtown cool.
Mango
Long Oversized Cotton Trench Coat
Toteme
Ribbed Stretch-Cotton Jersey T-Shirt
Hidden Jeans
Tie Waist Denim Skirt
Jenny Bird
X Revolve Puffy Heart Chain Necklace
Nordstrom
3-Pack Everyday Crew Socks
With Pops of On-Trend Colors
Trenches and black leather mini skirts get a whole new personality with the addition of a poppy sweater in a very on-trend blue. It’s even better with sneakers that introduce just a touch of burgundy (still relevant and always elevated), and I’m here for the grey socks that feel a bit wrong, but oh so right.
Topshop
Fluffy Crewneck Sweater
Johnstons of Elgin
Ribbed Cashmere-Blend Socks
With Default Denim
Super obvious, but it’s still worth noting that the addition of your go-to jeans makes for an outfit formula that requires zero brain cells—little tweaks like old-school sneakers and a khaki-colored trench keep it feeling a little unexpected, and I’m going to pitch the addition of a summery beaded necklace.
Zara
Belted Double-Breasted Trench Coat
Cos
Slim Lightweight Long-Sleeved Top
Reformation
Greta Super Stretch Low Rise Wide Leg Jeans
Vans
Premium Old Skool 36 Sneaker
Kate Spade New York
Serena Leather Satchel
Shop more trench coats & sneakers for spring:
Lioness
Trencherous Longline Coat
Universal Standard
Henning X Us Park Soft Trench
Shopbop
Line & Dot Shiloh Trench Coat
The Frankie Shop
Lulea Faux Suede Trench Coat
Avec Les Filles
Draped Double-Breasted Trench Coat
The Frankie Shop
Astoria Cutout Tencel Lyocell-Blend Trench Coat
& Other Stories
Belted Cotton Trench Coat
Massimo Dutti
Trench Coat With Detachable Scarf Detail
By Anthropologie
Cropped Trench Coat
Mango
Oversized Cotton Trench Coat
Open Edit
Belted Trench Coat
Shopbop
Anine Bing Randy Oversized Trench Coat
Able
Kimberly Trench Coat
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/031325-pretty-perfume-bottles-soc-e28bb6c8c529441482f1aa0548775ac3.jpg "The Prettiest Perfume Bottles You Can Own")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(471x244:473x246)/CNN-New-Years-Eve-with-Anderson-Cooper-123124-9952e5f00fc1425f87113ba2bfb97b29.jpg "Anderson Cooper Says He Once ‘Hated’ New Year’s Eve While Co-Hosting CNN Broadcast")
