In the Trenches

According to Wikipedia, a trench coat is a ‘raincoat made of waterproof heavy-duty cotton drill or poplin, wool gabardine, or leather.’ It was created for soldiers in World War I and was quickly translated into everyday fashion by Burberry, where it has since remained a reliable classic. We tend associate the item with mystic and intrigue thanks to many old black-and-white Hollywood films featuring trench coat-wearing spies or crooks!

The trench has changed little in appearance and functional wartime design elements such as back-vents, shoulder tabs and belts are still very much evident today. Unsurprisingly, its versatility has kept it popular as it works over formal and casual wear for men and women of every age.

Both practical and stylish, the trench is typically knee-length and double-breasted with eight brown tortoiseshell-effect flat buttons. The coat’s mid-weight, rain-resistant fabric makes it suitable for layering so it adapts from fine to cooler weather effortlessly. Most often available in block neutral cream, beige, navy and black with a patterned lining, it can also be found in brighter summery shades well as familiar Burberry check.