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7 Classic Trench Coats You’ll Cherish Forever
It's the wardrobe staple you'll be wearing for decades
By | 1 week ago
Trends come and go: but the trench coat will always remain a sartorial staple. Park walk? Yes. Commuter statement piece? Obviously. And it’s not going out of style anytime soon. As we’re opting for more considered, trendless wardrobes, classic trench coats can withstand even the fastest of frenzied fashion cycles. These are the best to shop now.
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What is a Trench Coat?
Though the trench coat is now the unofficial off-duty look of the fashion set: the trench has actually been around since time immemorial. First designed over a hundred years ago during the First World War, trench coats were the perfect antidote to the required woolly and heavy greatcoats. The trench was lighter, waterproof, and much more fit for purpose.
British heritage brands Burberry and Aquascutum both lay claim to the coveted coat. The former’s then 21-year-old founder, Thomas Burberry, is said to have invented waterproof gabardine before the war in 1879, which inspired the trench we know today. Although Aquascutum (literally in Latin meaning ‘water’ and ‘shield’) was the one that designed the trench coat for the British Military for World War I – and those camouflage khakis, browns, and camel hues have yet to fall out of fashion.
Keen to get your hands on this classic coat? As always, keep the planet in mind when shopping. Re-wearing old clothes is the best way to be sustainable, but if you can’t avoid it then shop consciously at responsible retailers, as well as rental and resale sites.
Classic Trench Coats You’ll Cherish Forever
Ports 1961
Panelled Long Trench Coat, £1,224
Founded by Canadian entrepreneur Luke Tanabe, Ports 1961 is known for its cross-cultural perspective and modern silhouettes. This trench, taken from the brand’s SS23 collection, adheres to the classic coat design but adds a twist with long flowy panels of black linen – creating an added layer of drama that will set you apart from the trench-wearing crowd.
Burberry @ Vestiaire Collective
Trench Coat (Size S), £250,
If you haven’t yet heard of Vestiaire Collective, then you’re in for a treat. The platform is a treasure trove of vintage and secondhand designer finds, often at a fraction of the original retail price. You can gawp at their whole tab on trench coats that is brimmed with the best of the best: Burberry, Dior, Ganni, the works.
Fairfax & Favor
The Frances Trench Coat in Tan Suede, £625
Embodying the spirit of the British countryside, Fairfax & Favor is known for its gorgeous footwear and accessories – but these days, you’ll catch the brand working on its growing collection of outerwear staples. It’s newly launched trench coat features leather-lined suede epaulettes, finished with horn buttons, as well as a reversible tonal suede and smooth leather belt with antique brass double chevron buckle. A classic you’ll want to wear again and again.
Tommy Hilfiger
Organic Cotton Trench Coat, rent from £8 or buy secondhand for £15
Crafted from pure cotton twill, this trench boasts a classic design with notched lapels, epaulettes, storm flaps and a belt to cinch in your waist. My Wardrobe HQ is home to hundreds of trench coats that you can rent or buy second-hand for a fraction of their original retails. Good for the planet AND your wallet.
Sezane
Scott Trench Coat, £225
This is a gorgeous choice if a chic Parisian aesthetic is on your radar. With the cuffs nicely cinched and with a slit with buttons on the back, this trench has a good slim fit. Sezane has made big steps to become a more sustainable brand. It’s B Corp Certified (which is a credential that proves a brands’ commitment to social and environmental change). And the materials are Oeko-tex certified too, meaning that it’s verified not to have harmful substances.
Burberry
The Long Chelsea Heritage Trench Coat, £1,790
King of the trench coat, there’s no doubt that Burberry will always be the go-to investment option. You’ve obviously got their signature gabardine material (which they innovated back in the 19th Century) that makes it water-resistant. This trench is Burberry’s more slim-fit option: note the cinched waist and narrow shoulders. And as you’d expect there aren’t any shortcuts with the design: belted cuffs, the gun flap and storm shield prove that this is a heritage work of art that will always stand the test of time.
Reformation
Kensington Double-Breasted Woven Trench Coat, £185
Reformation’s black trench will easily see you from day to night, veering away from the traditional colour palette while keeping hold of the design’s classic touches. An ideal piece to wear to dinner (or wrap up warm with in winter).
Featured image: Getty Images
