Camel cotton trench coat worn closed and belted

A camel trench in smooth cotton gabardine, done the classic way: wide lapels, a storm flap on the shoulder, epaulettes, buttoned straps at the cuffs and deep flap pockets. It is long, past the knee, and worn closed with the self belt pulled through and knotted rather than buckled.

Worn like this it stops being a layer and becomes the outfit, which is the most useful thing a trench can do. Spring and autumn, travel days, a hotel corridor at the wrong hour, no tights. A flat pointed shoe or a low boot in brown, and the sleeves pushed back to the forearm so the cuff straps show.

The room was not ready. The corridor carpet was, so I sat.