Did you know that soldiers were wearing Burberry trench coats long before movie stars, like Audrey Hepburn and, most recently, Harry Potter‘s Emma Watson, made them fashionable? Though this iconic garment has been written about extensively in nearly every fashion publication, many fail to mention the back-story that makes this simple article of clothing so special.
I had first learned about its history from my grandfather, who was introduced to this coat as a World War II soldier during his brief occupation in England before invading Europe. Created for the British War Office in 1914 by fellow countryman and fashion designer Thomas Burberry, the trench coat was a groundbreaking alternative to the heavy coats previously worn by soldiers.
What made it so significant was the fact that it was (and still is) made of gabardine, a revolutionary fabric at the time that not only comfortably wrapped around its wearer, but also proved to be water and wrinkle resistant. During WWII, this wonderfully convenient, lightweight layer made its way across the Atlantic to help keep Americans comfy and dry as well.
Fast forward to the present, the Burberry trench coat is not just for soldiers anymore–and hasn’t been for a long time. Over the past century, it has become a staple item in the closets of men and women alike. Now made in just about everything from steely grey suede to black wool to the original tan cotton, Burberry trench coats are popular among all walks of life, from the college student to the mom to the editor of Vogue.
To celebrate its longevity, Burberry will soon launch a website called The Art of the Trench, where it will invite people all over the world to upload an image of themselves wearing the famed coat. Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist, will also contribute photos of fans in their trenches in his trademark street style.
I may just have to throw on my grandfather’s coat–the same one that once protected him from the dank, dirty wartime conditions and now completes my stylish evening ensemble–and snap a shot for their website as a thank you.
Published on October 22, 2009
While there are many sites today dedicated to the pursuit of fashion and style, here at MRK Style we approach these subjects through a collector’s lens. Through exploring how people relate to Art, Family, Fashion, Food, Film and Travel—essentially life’s various, everyday obsessions—we reflect on how we all live with the things we love. 
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