Burberry Trench Coats 101: A Guide to Shopping the Iconic Outerwear in 2023

By Alexis Bennett Parker

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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.

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, below.

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.

Burberry

Kensington Heritage trench coat in honey

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Burberry

short Kensington Heritage trench coat in black

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Burberry

lightweight Kensington trench coat in black

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Burberry

cashmere-blend Kensington trench coat in camel melange

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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.

Burberry

Chelsea Heritage trench coat in black

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Burberry

the long Chelsea Heritage trench coat in honey

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Burberry

Chelsea Heritage trench coat in honey

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Burberry

Chelsea Heritage trench coat in black

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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.

Burberry

Waterloo Heritage trench coat in honey

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Burberry

Waterloo Heritage trench coat in coal blue

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Burberry

Waterloo Heritage trench coat in black

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Burberry

leather Waterloo Heritage trench coat in camel

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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 finish that isn’t as rigid as the Chelsea. Another noticeable difference is the single-breasted buttons and belt-free finish available in black, honey, and coal blue.

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Camden Heritage car coat in coal blue

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Burberry

Camden Heritage Car coat in honey

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