Burberry Reinvents A Classic

When you think of staple pieces in your closet, the Burberry trench coat is an all-time classic. No design house is more associated with this style than Burberry. The brand is world-renowned for producing timeless styles crafted from the best materials, deliberately combining the brand's heritage with modern flair. Read on for a closer look at a Burberry icon.

The History Of The Trench Coat At Burberry

Undeniably British and iconically fashionable, the trench coat was created by Thomas Burberry over 100 years ago. It has a long history as the outerwear of choice for explorers, aviators, mountaineers, and military personnel. The trenchcoat's original military design featured epaulets to display rank and metal D-rings on the belt to attach equipment.

Versions of the Burberry trench coat have been worn by heroes of exploration, such as Sir Ernest Shackleton, who sported a trench on three of his expeditions. Audrey Hepburn famously wore a Burberry trench in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Emma Watson modeled it in a recent global advertising campaign. The Burberry trench was worn on high-fashion runways by Blake Lively, Kendall Jenner, and Naomi Campbell–to name just a few.

The functional and versatile trench coat is a foundation wardrobe staple worn season after season and replicated by brands year after year, but arguably, no one does it better than Burberry.

At the start of the new millennium, with Christopher Bailey taking the helm at Burberry, the trench coat was reborn, with sleek metallic creations appearing alongside the more traditional camel-colored, military-inspired trench.

In 2018, Riccardo Tisci took over as Creative director, and the Burberry trench was updated with metal hardware and crystal and stud embellishments. Currently, Daniel Lee is in charge at Burberry and has introduced innovative reversible designs, bold check prints, cropped silhouettes, hooded styles, shearling trims, and luxurious leather, wool, and cashmere-tailored trench coats.

Reinventing A Classic

The current collection of Burberry coats is crafted from sophisticated cotton gabardine (which Thomas Burberry invented), wool, leather, and cashmere and lined with the iconic Burberry Check.

A variety of styles are available, including the signature Kensington and Chelsea cuts, the more relaxed Waterloo and Castleford silhouettes, and the contemporary hooded parka styles. Most styles are available in different lengths, including long, mid-length, short, and cropped. The range of colors includes signature honey, coal blue, black, and loch green.

Long Quilted Nylon Trench Coat

The style on this iconic trench is cut to a long, regular fit with raglan sleeves. The time-honored Burberry trench has been given a contemporary twist with a lightweight quilted nylon fabric that's washed for a soft finish, a press-stud closure, and a deep loch green colorway.

Long Cotton Nylon Trench Coat

Made from buttery-soft cotton nylon moleskin, this Burberry trench is elevated with two-tone shearling at the cuffs, a nod to the over-the-top furry trims of the noughties. Tailored for a fitted silhouette, the trim's neutral tones complement the trench's mountain brown shade and the earthy shades of the checked lining.

Long Check Cotton Blend Trench Coat

Two icons of the Burberry brand — the signature check print and the trench coat–combine in this longline coat. The bold graphic check print stands out against a mossy green background, and its pattern matches the set-in sleeves for a sleek finish. A relaxed fit offers a slightly looser cut than the brand's regular fit; consider sizing down.

Cropped Gabardine Trench Jacket

Available in honey or black, the Cropped Gabardine Jacket is inspired by Burberry's iconic trench coat. Inside is the timeless Burberry Check cotton used to line the brand's trench coats since the 1920s. The relaxed fit is modern and effortless and can be styled with jeans for a casual look or a little black dress for a more formal occasion.

Short Gabardine Car Coat

The Burberry Car Coat is straight cut with a regular fit, without the nipped-in waist of the trench coat. The contemporary silhouette will stand the test of time, making the Burberry Car Coat a wardrobe staple for many years to come. Shower-resistant cotton gabardine is evocative of the coat's English roots.

A Commitment To Circular Fashion

Fine fashion items made from high-quality materials are inherently long-lasting. Their durability and craftsmanship allow them to become heritage pieces, passed down from one fashion-forward generation to the next. To keep legacy pieces pristine, Burberry offers an innovative service called ReBurberry. One vital aspect of this service is the “refresh” option available for your Burberry trench coat.

Trench Refresh is a three-part service that involves cleaning, repairing, and reproofing your trench coat to bring it back to top condition. The brand uses non-toxic materials that are kinder to the environment than traditional reproofing products. This reinvigorates the water-resistant characteristics of your Burberry trench coat. Refresh experts will also assess your trench to identify any needed repairs or refurbishments, ensuring its place as a foundational element of your wardrobe for years to come.

Burberry’s various ReBurberry services are on the leading edge of circular fashion, underscoring the brand’s commitment to community and sustainability.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.