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When it comes to timeless outerwear, Burberry’s trench coat doesn’t set the bar; it is the bar. In 1856 Thomas Burberry established his namesake brand with the intention of making clothing that could withstand any weather conditions, especially the notoriously rainy days of Great Britain. After more than 20 years of research, his quest to find a way to make jackets both waterproof and breathable culminated with the invention of gabardine in 1888. That lightweight, drizzle-proof woven cotton textile transformed the fashion industry, and to this very day, the patented material is used by many brands in their own interpretations of rainwear.
What has been equally as influential is the invention of Burberry’s trench coat. British soldiers enlisted during World War I were actually the very first to wear the iconic silhouette in the war’s trenches, hence the name. The military-chic creation has evolved into a seasonal staple adopted by many brands over and over again. Yet still, nobody can craft a trench coat quite like the house of Burberry. Its heritage pieces continue to mesmerize the world decades later.
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At the beginning of the millennium, Christopher Bailey turned the functional coat into a sartorial must-have in every woman’s wardrobe with sleek, metallic creations. As expected, when Riccardo Tisci took over the reins in 2018, he let his imagination run wild with crystal- and stud-covered designs. Now with Daniel Lee in charge at Burberry, we’re already seeing the classic coat take on whimsical yet chic interpretations with bold, graphic check prints.
Yet with all the remixes and updates to the trench, the classic styles (the Kensington, the Chelsea, the Camden, and the Waterloo) remain enduring wardrobe staples. A breakdown of all of Burberry’s heritage trench coats, plus a few new silhouettes to cherish, all below.
Burberry Heritage Trench Coats
- The Modern-Day Classic: Burberry Heritage Kensington trench coat, $2,590
- The Perfectly Polished: Burberry Heritage Chelsea trench coat, $2,590
- The Tried-and-True: Burberry Heritage Waterloo trench coat, $2,590
- The Minimalist Dream: Burberry Heritage Camden trench coat, $2,150
- The Relaxed and Roomy: Burberry Castleford long gabardine trench coat, $3,150
- The Trend-Forward Silk: Burberry long silk scarf trench coat, $3,650
- The Cropped Trench: Burberry cropped gabardine trench jacket, $1,950
- The Classic Car Coat: Burberry long gabardine car coat, $2,250
Kensington
For a modern take on the structured design worn by British soldiers, turn to the Kensington. The timeless silhouette has a classic fit that’s perfect for bundling up underneath. The longest length is slightly shorter than others, stopping just above the knee on a five-foot-ten model, or slightly longer than 41 inches. Another attribute that sets this one apart is that it comes in cashmere, just in case you’re in need of something cozier.
Sizing: The Kensington comes in a regular fit. It fits true to size, take your normal size.
Chelsea
If you’re a fan of a body-hugging silhouette, the Chelsea will be your go-to. Named after the west London neighborhood, this slim-fit design is cut close to the body to fall flat on the shoulders and be snug at the waist, creating a subtly chic fit-and-flare silhouette when belted. The longest option of the Chelsea falls just below the knee on a five-foot-ten model, while the mid-length style hovers above the knee. Rounding out the Chelsea collection is the shortest option, which is reminiscent of a longline blazer with a mid-thigh hem. Depending on the length you select, there are currently two to three colors to shop on the brand’s website—a sharp black, a dark coal blue, and a classic honey shade.
Sizing: The Chelsea is cut to a fitted silhouette. It fits true to size, so size up if you want a more relaxed fit.
Waterloo
Named after London’s busy district, the Waterloo is the closest to the military-inspired original style. The longest length tapers off mid-calf on a five-foot-ten model and is slightly longer than 45 inches in length. Right now the Burberry website is offering the Waterloo in a few fabrics and colorways: a leather in camel, the cotton gabardine in three classic shades (honey, coal blue, and black), and the cotton gabardine with the iconic Burberry check covering the lapels.
Sizing: The Waterloo comes in a regular fit. It fits true to size, take your normal size.
Camden
For a completely elegant, pared-back approach to the trench coat, turn to the Camden. The minimalist take subtracts the bells and whistles of the original design made with epaulets for soldiers and comes in a free-flowing silhouette that less rigid as the Chelsea. Another noticeable difference is the single-breasted buttons and belt-free finish—available in black, honey, and coal blue.
Sizing: The Camden comes in a regular fit. It fits true to size, take your normal size.
Castleford
If you are looking for a more relaxed fit, reach for the Castleford, which is designed to be oversized and roomy, with slightly exaggerated proportions. Raglan sleeves and a longer hemline further emphasize the looser feel of the cut. Made from cotton-gabardine fabric, it‘s still water-resistant and lined with the heritage, checked pattern fabric. This double-breasted coat can be buckled or loosely tied with the belted sash, depending on your mood. It’s a classic that will make layering all the more easy.
Sizing: Featuring a more relaxed fit, you’ll find this to be the most oversized fit. Consider sizing down to find your best fit.
The Trend-Forward Styles
Burberry’s fashion-forward mix of reworked trenches is a great way to play with the brand’s rich heritage, while investing in something timeless with a little extra flair. Look at styles like the scarf trench coat (in both gabardine and silk, it’s high on our editor wish lists), plus cropped jacket iterations with plenty of utility detailing, or even the fashion favorite field jacket, will offer plenty of modern ideas to round out your outerwear closet for the season ahead.
Sizing: Look at each individual coat or jacket’s fit notes in the product details section to ensure the right size is chosen.
Gabardine Jacket
Whether you’re petite and prefer a shorter cut to lengthier coats, or are looking to mix in a fashion-forward, cropped silhouette into your jacket rotation, the gabardine jacket is a sure fit. You’ll find shortened versions of the classic, double-breasted coat here; the jacket version features a belted sash and 30.3-inch length, while the cropped iteration is sash-free and comes in at 21.7 inches. Choose from classic black or honey for an easy styling option to layer over your everyday outfits, whether that be work looks or weekend.
Sizing: The longer jacket iteration has a relaxed fit, which runs true to size. The cropped has a slight A-line feel that is slightly more loose.
Car Coat
The single-breasted car coat is considered another foundational style, and you can count on Burberry’s to be tailored to perfection. Part of the brand’s essential staples, what differentiates these from the Camden is the belted sash. You’ll find lengthier shapes that hit mid-calf, plus a shorter variation included in the mix, measuring 28.3 inches in length (don’t worry, it still has pockets). In shades of beige and khaki, these car trench coats are as iconic as they come, made to withstand any rain-filled days you might face, while still looking chic on those filled with sun.
Sizing: Look at each individual piece’s product notes for singular details, but overall, these run true to size.
How to style a Burberry trench coat:
Luckily for us all, trench coats are endlessly versatile. For the upcoming spring season (and the transitional dressing period we’re all looking forward to), layer them atop button-up shirts, polo tops, pleated trousers, and other essentials for casual days. To dress them up, modern suiting, draped tops, and silky dresses are an unexpected but welcome combination, especially when teamed with suede kitten heels, tall boots, or pointed-toe flats.
How to care for a Burberry coat:
For all your Burberry trench coats, from the Kensington to the Waterloo, it is recommended to get them dry cleaned—this prevents water damage, and shrinkage, and ensures the coat will maintain their specific silhouettes. All Burberry heritage trench coats feature the ability to withstand wind, heavy rain, and a hint of snow thanks to their shower-resistant cotton gabardine construction. When cared for properly, and dry cleaned, these coats can last decades. You can also find ReBurberry services to clean, restore, and protect a range of Burberry pieces.