The full length trench has a lot going for it but it can swamp a look, particularly if you are petite or if the rest of your outfit is doing something interesting below the waist. The cropped version solves that. It gives you all the polish and structure of a classic trench without closing down the outfit underneath it. A great pair of trousers still reads. A midi skirt still moves. The proportions stay yours.

What we love about cropped trenches specifically is how they work across the whole year. Lightweight cotton versions for spring. Slightly heavier constructions that sit over knitwear in autumn. They layer better than almost any other jacket style because the shape is so clean and the belt, when there is one, gives you a waist without any effort.

We have been pulling together the ones that actually deliver on the promise. The right length, the right collar, the kind of fabric that holds its shape after a day of wearing. These are not just cropped coats that happen to have trench details. These are the real thing, just edited to work harder for you.