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From battlefields to Battersea, the trench coat has retained its place as an icon of British style. Invest in these timeless designs now and they’ll be with you for seasons to come
16 August 2022 | Ellie Goodman | If you purchase something via our website, we may earn an affiliate commission.
eloved by dapper gents, from Humphrey Bogart and Sir Edmund Hilary to David Bowie and the Pink Panther, the trench coat has long been a marker of the well-dressed man. First created by Burberry and Aquascutum as a utility garment for use by the British military during the First World War (hence the name), its functional design and flattering silhouette quickly made it a symbol of style and status that has translated into the wider sartorial consciousness.
Originally fitted with epaulettes and D-rings from which to suspend equipment such as grenades and whistles, as well as gun flaps and a belted waist for added elemental protection, the trench coat has retained much of its design heritage (despite the fact it’s more likely to be worn in the Square Mile than the Somme these days), but this only adds to its appeal. In fact, it’s the trench coat’s unique place in British fashion history that makes it such a timeless wardrobe staple.
Whether worn with jeans and a jumper or thrown on over your sharpest suit , trench coats have the rare ability to imbue almost any outfit with an instant sense of sophistication and intrigue. Which probably goes a long way to explain why we still scramble to buy them over a century after they first appeared. And, with designers re-working the style each season in new fabrics and silhouettes, it’s clear that this icon of British style isn’t going anywhere. These are the best men’s trench coats to buy now…
Why buy one trench coat when you can have two? Cut in the brand’s classic oversized fit from a soft taupe cotton-twill blend, Balenciaga’s double-breasted trench coat features a reversible woollen houndstooth lining for versatile styling.
Balenciaga taupe reversible trench coat, £2,750, harveynichols.com
Synonymous with the trench coat for over a century, Burberry has continued to champion the heritage style since first outfitting WWI soldiers in its cotton gabardine designs. Inspired by archival pieces, this heritage Westminster trench coat – updated in a fluid tumbled tropical gabardine – is ideal for light inter-seasonal layering and features a contrasting Vintage Burberry check lining and undercollar.
The Westminster heritage trench coat, £1,690, burberry.com
Another pioneer of the waterproof jacket, Mackintosh’s double-breasted St Andrews trench coat is crafted from water-repellent cotton gabardine and named for the Scottish seaside town northeast of Edinburgh. Rendered in an inky blue, this mid-length trench coat features an adjustable eyelet belt and an internal tab that allows you to attach one of the brand’s interchangeable linings for added insulation come winter.
Mackintosh St Andrews belted trench coat, £795, farfetch.com
Crafted in collaboration with cult menswear podcast Throwing Fits, this minimalist Mfpen trench coat is designed for a relaxed, oversized fit. Cut from lightweight shell, it’s constructed with a concealed placket and no vent for a streamlined silhouette.
Mfpen x Throwing Fits oversized shell trench coat, £465, mrporter.com
Classic yet contemporary, Raey’s take on this sartorial staple features voluminous sleeves and an extra roomy fit. Designed in London and crafted in Italy, this khaki-green trench coat is cut from a sturdy cotton-gabardine blend and comes complete with traditional gun flaps, sleeve straps and an adjustable belt for cinched styling.
Raey oversized cotton blend trench coat, £795, matchesfashion.com
Tom Ford has put its signature sexy spin on this sleek silk and satin trench coat. Cut with a single-breasted silhouette, with both zip and button closures and a belted waist, this Italian-made coat makes for an edgy, modern take on the timeless style.
Tom Ford belted satin and silk trench coat, £4,290, mytheresa.com
Read more: The best loafers for men
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