The Classic Ten: Trench Coat (#9)

"Put on a trench, you're suddenly Audrey Hepburn walking along the Seine-- even if 

you've got red hair and you're five one."

-- Michael Kors

There is nothing more British than the trench coat, especially a Burberry trench coat. There is something so romantic about this special jacket, isn't there? I happily own two trenches, one an actual light beige waterproof coat, and the other I found in a thrift store with this beautiful light blue lining and is a deep caramel color. I never feel very comfortable wearing them in my small college town because it seems so sophisticated, so big city and timeless.  However, students in leggings and hoodies overrun my town, so it's nice to be different. Wearing one just further plunges me into my own dream world. 

The luxury brand Burberry is credited to inventing the trench coat, thanks to Thomas Burberry. In 1880 he actually developed this lightweight waterproof material called gabardine, and made his first trench coat with it in the 1890s. He received great success with his wonderfully handy coat that not only outfitted the British army in 1914, but normal civilians as well. (To fight that London weather, naturally.)

The trench coat was made entirely for utility. Belt loops, big pockets,
hooks, buttons, etc, helped with storing maps, compasses, guns,
and other war time necessities. Having very similar styles today
 perhaps adds to its romantic nature.

An advert for Burberry's early outwear.

In the same store that I found my caramel-colored trench I actually also found a
real Burberry trench coat with this (pictured) older label. (Their name and label used
to be called "Burberry's" before their revamp.) It cost maybe a little over $200 and I
really would have bought it but it was a men's medium... way too large on me.  

Burberry has become mainstream and incredibly well respected through the decades. These trench coats have constantly been kept in the public eye through films and icons who have been spotted with Burberry's. And with such wonderful, classic stars wearing trench coats through the most romantic, life-changing times in their lives, shouldn't we all want one? 

1930s: belted Burberry trench.

Can't get more recognizable than this: Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard
in Breakfast at Tiffany's both wearing "Burberry's".

Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, wearing his infamous trench coat.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana wearing trenchs in the 80s.

In the 1990s Burberry's image fell for a bit when other fashion houses came out with trench coats in a sleeker, slimmer design than Burberry's utility look. However, in the new millennium a new CEO and Creative Director, Christopher Bailey, were hired, the camel-colored signature plaid was made into hundreds of different items (bikinis, anyone?), and sales climbed 67% to almost $1.3 billion a year. 

Now, Burberry is the incarnation of British cool. Their campaigns have been graced with such faces such as Kate Moss, Lily Donaldson, Gemma Ward, Agyness Deyn, Emma Watson and Rose Huntington-Whiteley. Their runway collection, Burberry Prorsum ("P-roar-some", Latin for "forward") is highly coveted, much celebrated, and is Burberry's creative heart. 

Rosie Huntinton-Whiteley for Burberry.

Kate Moss, in what I think, is her best campaign shot I've ever seen. She looks so incredibly
beautiful in her  Burberry photographs.

Burberry Prorsum, hitting the runway this past Spring season.

Burberry's newest campaign, shot on the beach in Brighton, England. 

As you can see from the photo above, this bespoke (made-to-order)
business that Burberry recently created was highly successful. Especially when Emma
Watson was seen wearing the first bespoke trench, hers with leather sleeves. After this
photo was released, this style quickly sold out. Oh, Emma!

Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic for a DKNY perfume campaign. 

Editorial from British GQ's, April 2011 issue.

The real problem with the trench coat is finding one that fits properly.. though my two are very nice, they don't fit PERFECTLY, which still bothers me. Well, they will have to do for now, that is until I have the money to search for the perfect trench!  (Or can afford a Burberry...)

-Raquel x