The quintessential British coat, a global fashion icon. The Burberry trench coat was created over 100 years ago - inspired by our heritage, whilst embracing modernity
Made in Castleford, Yorkshire for over 50 years, cut in gabardine – a revolutionary water-resistant cotton that remains at the heart of Burberry
Thomas Burberry’s vision was for people to be able to be out-of-doors protected with a weatherproof breathable fabric.
In 1879, Thomas realised his dream by inventing gabardine, a revolutionary fabric which heralded a new dawn for outerwear. Gabardine was breathable unlike other so-called ‘waterproofs’ made of oil, rubber and wax which did not distribute the air.
Thomas went on to create the Tielocken from his ingenious fabric and then the world famous Burberry trench coat.
Worn around the globe for over a century, our trench coat stands as an international icon of British fashion, culture and history. A timeless piece for the modern wardrobe – punctuated with classic design codes and contemporary details.
Burberry outerwear has enabled explorers to step off the map and discover new horizons for nearly 130 years.
Irish-born British Polar Explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton wore Burberry gabardine for three Antarctic expeditions, including the Nimrod Expedition in 1907-1909 when he ingeniously used a sheet of Burberry gabardine to protect the engine of his motor car from freezing over.
Shackleton’s testimony recounts the durability of Burberry outerwear which continues to define our collections today: “I attribute the saving of one man’s life…to the fact that he was entirely covered up by Burberry wind-clothing. I have therefore every confidence in recommending Messrs. Burberrys’ goods to explorers and to the general public”.
A design born from function to protect the military during the First World War. Its unmistakable epaulettes originally displayed an officer’s rank, while the belt’s metal D-rings were used to attach equipment.
It takes a year for each specialist tailor to learn the stitching of the trench coats collar – the most intricate part of its construction. More than 180 stitches are made to create a fluid curve so that the collar sits perfectly on the neck.
