THE TRENCH COAT THAT SWALLOWED ME: A CAUTIONARY TALE

"The trench coat was supposed to be the answer — timeless, chic, effortless. Instead, it swallowed me whole… until I met Raquel, who made me realise not every classic was meant for me."

When Virginia first came to me, she was in a place many women find themselves at one point or another: obsessed with the idea of “classics.” After years of purchasing random, trend-led pieces that didn’t really speak to each other, her wardrobe had become a jumble of styles, colours, and fits that just didn’t work together. Every season, she found herself saying, “I have nothing to wear,” even though her wardrobe was bursting at the seams.

The pieces were there — but they didn’t belong together. There was no cohesion, no direction. And after years of hitting the “reset” button every season, she thought the answer was to buy classics — neutral staples, tailored blazers, and trench coats that would never go out of style. She was convinced this would bring the change she needed.

When I first saw Virginia’s wardrobe during our Wardrobe Analysis session, I knew she was facing a challenge that many women struggle with. She’d been holding on to clothes for years, thinking she was being sustainable. But after all that time, the clothes felt dated, not modern, and definitely not effortless. She yearned for something fresh, something that would make her feel chic and confident.

In theory, the classics sounded like the solution. A neutral palette, simple tailored pieces, maybe even a chic trench coat for autumn. That would be her new foundation, right?

But when Virginia actually tried them on… it didn’t go as planned. The trench coat, for instance, made her feel swallowed up. She looked in the mirror and thought, “This is not me.” The classic pieces she thought would help her feel modern instead made her feel older! And that is the exact opposite of what she wanted.

This moment was the turning point. Virginia thought she had found the perfect formula for a timeless wardrobe, but she realised that the “classics” weren’t always what worked for her. She didn’t need to fit into someone else’s idea of style; she needed to create her own.

As we moved into the inspiration phase, it was clear: the neutral, minimalist palette simply wasn’t her vibe. But this isn’t about blaming anyone; after all, we’re constantly bombarded with endless lists of “must-have” pieces, the timeless essentials that every wardrobe supposedly needs. The fashion industry tells us we need a trench coat, a white shirt, and tailored trousers to be “chic.” But the truth is, you need to find your own basics. Your own classics.

When we created her inspiration board, Virginia couldn’t believe the transformation. She saw herself in pieces she never thought she could wear — shapes that felt modern, colours that popped, and styles that were much more her. She was beginning to see the possibilities, but she knew inspiration alone wasn’t enough. It needed to be actionable.

We worked together to select the right pieces, and she became comfortable trying things on, mixing them around, and testing how they made her feel. She started to understand what worked for her body, her lifestyle, and her personality. And that’s when she experienced the breakthrough: reinventing the classics.

By the time we completed her Style Breakthrough plan, Virginia felt an overwhelming sense of clarity. Her wardrobe wasn’t just structured, it was an expression of who she truly was. She no longer had to force herself into a neutral, minimalist mould. She realised she didn’t mind neutrals, but she loved playing with them — mixing shapes, adding structure, and incorporating edgy pieces into her wardrobe.

It wasn’t about following trends or buying the “must-haves.” It was about curating a wardrobe that felt like her. It was bold, it was unique, and most importantly, it was effortless in a way she had never imagined.

When it all came together, Virginia wasn’t just dressed in “classics” anymore. She was dressed in herself. And that’s the beauty of creating your own version of the classics.

So this autumn, when the fashion industry tells you that you must have a trench coat or a perfectly fitted blazer, ask yourself: Does this truly work for me? If it doesn’t, don’t force it. Instead, focus on curating your own pieces — the ones that make you feel modern, cool, and truly like yourself.

Because the real classic? It’s finding your unique style and wearing it with confidence.

For this Inspiration Job, I used Alison Toby as my inspiration for my client.

check her out if you have not yet :) @alisontoby

Pictures: @Alisontoby

And again, thanks for reading me.

Raquel