Which Burberry trench coat to buy - and why they're completely worth the investment

Possibly the most iconic piece of outerwear there is, a Burberry trench coat is the perfect mix of style statement and practical weather wear. Synonymous with effortless elegance, simply slipping one over any outfit is enough to catapult you into the realms of the seriously stylish.

You might not consider outerwear as part of your main wardrobe, but having the right types of coats will ensure that you look the part whatever the weather and the best trench coats are an essential. A lightweight coat is often ideal for wet weather, but unlike the rubberised or waxed versions you might wear for a country walk, such as the best Barbour jackets, Burberry trench coats are smartly tailored offering sartorial elegance, even in wet weather. 

Designed in the early 20th century and patented by Thomas Burberry in 1912, the trench coat was originally created as part of Britain's official military uniform. Made from durable, weatherproof gaberdine, it was first worn by soldiers in the Normandy trenches - hence its name and was designed to be one of the best waterproof jackets for women. Since then, the iconic trench coat silhouette has become a must-have style for men and women and despite how many brands make an iteration of this classic style, a trench coat by British designer brand Burberry, is still considered one of the most timeless pieces of clothing you can own.

How to pick the best Burberry coat for your shape

For Tall Women

When making a purchase, the first thing to consider is length. The right hemline can make or break a trench, so it pays to get it right. Those with a tall build should opt for a longer-line coat to play to their elongated silhouette. Due to a lengthier frame, longer-line coats won’t swamp your shape but will help the eye to be drawn down the body. This also can make you look leaner as it streamlines your appearance and avoids cutting your outfit in several different places.  

A Note on Print and Pattern

When it comes to choosing whether you go for a plain or printed coat, tall builds often can often carry off louder prints and patterns. The classic Burberry plaid - also known as the Haymarket Check, was introduced in the 1920s and is as synonymous with the house of Burberry as its trench coat. Largely used as a lining print, in recent times, Burberry has played with print, migrating it to the outside of the coat for a more fashion-forward look. The medium-sized square and fine-lined print is surprisingly versatile and largely flattering on most. However louder iterations of the print and bolder patterned styles that have emerged in recent seasons sit best with taller frames that can carry off what can otherwise be an overwhelming pattern.

For Petite Women

When it comes to discovering what are the best winter coats for petites, you might find the latest coat trends a little tricky to decipher, as there is little distinction made for various heights. But if you've been wondering whether a Burberry trench coat will work well for your frame, you’ll be thrilled to know the answer is, yes, but there are some things to consider. 

If you’re petite, it’s best to go with a shorter-length trench coat as it will work best with your proportions and won’t drown you. As a designer brand, producing an exclusive and detailed product, Burberry has considered how its products will work for different heights and the British designer brand has trench coats that come in both short, regular and tall lengths. The Burberry short coats are 90cm, which hits around mid-thigh, a great length for petites as it will balance your proportions. For those looking for something that skims the knee, they also do a 100cm version too. 

A Note on Print and Pattern...

While the classic Burberry Haymarket Check in a small fine print, a delicate all over print is largely flattering for all, if you’re nervous about being overwhelmed, opt for a block colour or invest in a plain style, and turn up the cuffs a fold or two to reveal just a hint of the check, a chic and subtle way to show off your Burberry buy.

For Curvy Women

Perhaps the reason for the popularity of the Burberry trench coat is its ability to flatter all silhouettes. A trench coat will work easily on apple body shapes, curvy figures and those with bigger busts and there are even a few ways to style them too, depending on the look you want. 

Want to show off your curves? Use your trench coats self-fabric belt to cinch yourself in at the waist, this will instantly highlight curves and help to create a more hourglass body shape - you can even swap the fabric belt out for a statement leather belt, or any of your best designer belts to really customise your look. If you’re not a fan of belts, then look for slightly more tailored styles, that nip in at the waist, doing the job of the belt for you. 

When it comes to how to style a trench coat to appear taller and more streamlined, choose a style that hangs from the shoulders and skims the body. Wear your coat open, over knitwear or any of your best shirts to create a centralised panel. This will draw the eye up and down your body, adding extra height to your frame, no heels required. 

The trench coat is quite an androgynous style and often is cut with double-breasted buttons. This can be quite bulky and boxy on curvy frames, so look for single-breasted styles of this classic look. 

For Rectangular Shapes

A rectangle shape is largely considered model-esque, meaning most styles will suit your frame. While rectangles aren’t always tall, they are slender meaning they can carry off both fitted styles and oversized silhouettes. 

For tall women who want to add volume to their shape, opting for an oversized trench coat that hangs from the shoulders can be an incredibly chic look and one that is particularly popular with the fashion crowd. Oversized silhouettes also have a nonchalant, androgynous appeal which never fails to look stylish. Look out for added detail such as drop shoulders or large epaulettes to add interest to this aesthetic. The classic double-breasted style of a Burberry trench coat is a brilliant way of adding shape and structure. The double horn button detailing running down the front is very flattering and adds shape. 

How to choose the right color Burberry Trench coat

Warm skin tones

If your skin is warmer in tone, warm colours such as honey, olive and tan will suit you best. These are great all year through colours, as they team well with lighter neutrals for spring and navy and brown for autumn. If you're still wondering, we have a full guide to 'what colour suits me' to help you navigate this. 

Cool skin tones

Cool skin tones suit cooler colours so reaching for styles in versatile grey or navy is a good idea. As the Burberry trench coat has grown in popularity, so too has the availability of styles and colours it comes in. When it comes to neutrals, cooler beige tones rather than warm honey will suit you best.

Why a Burberry trench coat is worth the investment

When it comes to investment purchases, most people automatically turn their attention to the best designer bags, but the Burberry trench coat, while it may not hold its value in the same way as a Chanel bag, still has the potential to last you a lifetime. Just as with any well-made item you purchase, look after it, and in the long run, it will return the favour. Considered to be a Quiet Luxury style item, thanks to the subtlety of the outer details, the giveaway for the Burberry trench coat is always in the classic check lining that makes it instantly identifiable.

Crafted in England by expert tailors, the Burberry trench coat remains at the pinnacle of exquisite quality and style and will never go out of fashion, ensuring you can wear it season after season. It takes one year for each specialist to learn the stitching of the trench coat’s collar, which is handmade using more than 180 stitches. And such credentials don’t come cheap. Available from around £1,700, a Burberry trench coat is made to last. An ideal addition to any capsule wardrobe, a Burberry trench will pair with everything from dresses to jeans, there is no look that a Burberry trench coat can’t enhance. 

Today, multiple iterations have been borne of the original, incorporating unique details and features for all tastes, which means that there is a style for every shape. Although this might leave you wondering the benefits of the Burberry Chelsea vs Kensington trench coat, any well-tailored Burberry trench coat is a good investment. Classic camel, black and navy interpretations will always have the most longevity in terms of style, but prints and colour will be playful and work for several seasons.  At the start of the winter season, remember to dry-clean your Burberry trench coat and put it away, so that it's ready for when you want to put your spring capsule wardrobe, or autumn outfit ideas to work.

Here’s our guide to help you to decide which is the best Burberry trench coat for you, including advice on how to pick the best color, shape and style for your silhouette.

What is so special about a Burberry trench coat?

Burberry’s popularity dates back dates decades. The appeal of the Burberry trench was bolstered by society's elite and exclusive entertainment scene. During the 1940s, the Burberry trench hit the silver screen catapulting it into mass consciousness. Famously worn by Humphrey Bogart while uttering the unforgettable line “here’s looking at you, kid” Bogart was filmed wearing a camel edition of the now iconic style. And while this moment set the Burberry trench coat on an upward trajectory, it was an appearance on Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s that cemented the coat as a style classic.

In the years since, the trench has been worn by the best-dressed around, from Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot to Alexa Chung and Gwyneth Paltrow. It even has the royal stamp of approval having been worn by Princess Diana and the Princess of Wales.

Do Burberry trench coats hold their value?

Although a Burberry trench coat, particularly once worn might not hold its value in the way a pristine and reserved designer bag does, a Burberry trench is expected to roughly hold its value, depending on wear and tear. 

Updating this piece at least once a seen we have noticed a number of classic Burberry trench coats have increased in retail value by around £100. The expectation is that this price, as with designer bags will continue to slowly increase, in line with the markets and subsequently your coat should hold a strong value if you were to resale it at a later date.

What is the difference between the Kensington and the Chelsea Burberry trench coats?

Burberry has a number of iconic, staple fits that they lean on each season to produce its vast array of trench coats.

The Chelsea offers a highly tailored fit, sitting snuggly on shoulders and through the body of the coat. The fabric of the Chelsea is also a little heavier than the Kensington, offering additional warmth.

Comparatively, the Kensington is still tailored, but has a slightly more relaxed feel, than the Chelsea which sits very close to the body. 

Both the Kensington and the Chelsea come in three lengths, short, mid-length and long, so from a height perspective, they're both wearable on all silhouette lengths.

Both coats feature throat latches to help you keep out the chill and both the Kensington and the Chelsea feature all the classic Burberry hallmarks including a checked lining, epaulettes and belted cuffs.

Essentially the final selection will come down to how nipped in you want your coat to be. Our advice is to try it on over a sweater, or even a blazer if that's how you plan to wear your coat, so that you get the most practical and wearable size for your needs.

What is the most popular Burberry pattern?

The iconic and globally recognised Burberry check is by far the brand's most popular pattern. Often seen used in the lining of Burberry trench coats, or a trim under the collar, this print is synonymous with the brand. It also adorns some of the label's handbags, scarves and other accessories. The check design was first used in the 1920s to line its trench coats before being more widely used across the label in the 1960s and has been a favorite ever since. Known as nova check, this style has been reinvented and reworked on numerous occasions over the years by the British fashion label, but the classic beige base with red, black and white lines is the most well-known and most associated with Burberry.

How do you clean a Burberry trench coat?

As with all outerwear, you will need to clean your Burberry trench coat at least at the end of every season of use, and thanks to the classic light beige colourway, it's also prone to showing up marks. The Burberry website recommends dry cleaning for its Burberry trench coats, as this is a valuable, specialised item. It also recommends reproofing after the dry clean to help the coat maintain its water-resistant abilities. It is advisable to check with your dry cleaner or search for a specialist dry cleaner who has experience in doing this. This can also be booked in and carried out via Burberry itself, through customer service.

Can Burberry trench coats get wet?

Burberry trench coats are designed to protect from wind and rain, however, it is important to note that on-site, the trench coats are listed as water-repellent and not waterproof. This means that they offer a good layer of protection and repel water, but a very heavy downpour may penetrate the surface of the fabric. A waterproof jacket, however, would be able to withstand much heavier downpours.

In real terms, this means that your Burberry trench coat will be ideal for fall and spring weather, lighter rain, showers and drizzle, but possibly not the outerwear piece for heavy rainfall. 

How long does a Burberry trench coat last

Similarly to most fashion items, a Burberry trench coat can last you a lifetime when cared for properly. This means dry cleaning and reproofing at the end of the season of use, storing carefully on the appropriate hanger and potentially even covering with a dust cover when its seasonal spin is over. The more you care for your purchase, the longer it will return the favour.

The Burberry customer service team is also available to help book appointments for repair and replacement parts, so there is no excuse not to look after this iconic piece.