The Coat That Has Single-Handedly Made Dressing for Spring Better
The Coat That Has Single-Handedly Made Dressing for Spring Better
Roxanne AdamiyattThu, April 23, 2026 at 9:04 PM UTC
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The Chic Car Coat That Is My Spring Style Hero
Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.
There is a scene in the millennial classic Miss Congeniality that I will forever get a giggle out of. Miss Rhode Island is asked her ideal date, and oh so charmingly if not literal in her response she quips the following: “April 25th. All you need is a light jacket.” And as weird as the weather has been this spring, that statement rings true. And sure, there are tons of options for the task, but this season I found myself distinctly gravitating towards the car coat silhouette.
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Now on April 25th this year, the light jacket in question for me is undoubtedly the Gwyn Mathilde Car Coat. After reliably testing in a variety of volatile conditions, I am boldly stating that it’s undoubtedly the most practical piece that has been added into my rotation in some time.
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It all started for me a few months ago when I watched the technicolor Audrey Hepburn classic Funny Face. The film is a buffet of fashion inspiration, with costumes for the film designed by the legendary Edith Head, and Hubert de Givenchy gowns galore. But the piece that has always stuck out to me most is the tan car coat Hepburn’s character dons as she saunters down the Champs Elysee and along the banks of the Seine singing. It is perfect. It swings with movement, it’s neutral, and over 50 years later it’s still chic. So that’s what I was looking for.
The Mathilde is made out of a beautiful stretch cotton fabric that feels expensive to the touch. It’s breathable and comfortable to wear over layers or solo. The genius is that the good people at Gwyn took all of the lines and details of a classic piece and just bumped them up with some twists to give it some edge. I love the raw and the covered button placket, which gives the piece cool factor without adding any visual business. And I really love how the visible faux horn buttons look at the top. Other key details include the side welt pockets, which just may be my favorite functional feature as they fit a considerable amount but don’t cause that unsightly puckering or lumpiness that can sometimes appear with a pocket placement. Overall, the line is really lengthening and elegant, and as someone who does not look good in oversized, I appreciate that the Mathilde is tailored but with a relaxed enough silhouette that I feel like I can layer and look polished. In other words, just like the topper that Audrey Hepbrun wore, it’s extremely versatile, but has a modern verve to it with the elongated silhouette.
Now I don’t know what my ideal date is, but I know what I’d be wearing for it.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
