Absolute symbol of elegance and essential for Fashion Weeks, the trench coat hides a fascinating architecture. This detail on your shoulders is not just a simple podium ornament: it has an unsuspected utility, a true legacy of the history of fashion which transforms the silhouette and look of style icons.
It is the absolute icon of timeless aesthetics. Chic, sharp, the trench coat crosses eras and trends dictated by artistic directors without losing its superb, establishing itself as the pillar of contemporary style. But by observing the anatomy of this flagship creation of the fashion shows, have you already noticed these little legs located on the shoulders? If you thought they were only there to structure the build during shows or bring a touch of glamor to the silhouette, think again. This architectural detail, called epaulet in the jargon of fashion design and haute couture, hides a function that could well revolutionize your mastery of the look.
To understand the usefulness of this cut, you have to delve into the stylistic heritage and fashion archives. Imagined by designer Thomas Burberry in 1914 for British officers during the First World War, each element of this gabardine met a requirement before becoming a code of luxury and glamour. At the time, functional design took precedence: the shoulder pad was used to secure the rifle’s shoulder strap. By fixing this strap, the officer ensured that his equipment did not slip, thus preserving his presence and freedom of movement.
More than a century later, the uniform has given way to the forefront of street style, but the design DNA remains intact. And in addition to offering an impeccable fit worthy of the greatest designers, the trench maintains this ingenuity. Indeed, what fashion icon has never seen the strap of their It-bag slip off the shoulder, thus ruining their look? To combine aesthetics and support, stylists use this historic diversion: open the shoulder pad, slip the strap of your couture bag into it, then close it. The creation integrates perfectly with your silhouette, ensuring you have a catwalk gait and a perfectly controlled shoulder line.
This real lesson in styling is also available for the art of layering. The wind picks up and your silk scarf doesn’t stay in place? Slip a section of your fabric under the shoulder pad. This technique allows you to create a very haute couture asymmetrical drape, worthy of fashion magazine editorials, which remains perfectly fixed. Moreover, to modernize your look, image experts recommend opting for oversized volumes: using the shoulder pad then allows you to redefine the architecture of the bust and structure the overall look with a touch of avant-garde.
Now you’ll never look at this iconic creation the same way again. By exploiting this manufacturing detail to enhance your look, you are taking ownership of a century-old heritage. Further proof that fashion design stands the test of time, making this aesthetic the ultimate ally of a sharp and resolutely glamorous style.
