Spotted in Kensington and Chelsea: The 100-Year-Old Trench Coat That Every London It Girl Owns

Some people dream about the perfect wedding dress. As for me, I used to dream about owning the perfect trench coat. Namely, one of Burberry’s iconic designs.

Don’t get me wrong. I did love my actual wedding dress, but honestly, I’ve not looked at it in the years since I wore it. My Burberry trench coat, on the other hand, I've worn countless times, and I pull it out every year, basically wearing it from the moment the leaves begin to turn brown at the start of autumn all the way through to the first crisp signs of spring.

As well as an increasingly low cost-per-wear, the reason it’s such a great investment is that it goes with everything in my wardrobe—from basic everyday outfits to dressier evening looks.

If you're in London, you need only take a walk past Burberry's iconic New Bond Street boutique or the countless vintage stores selling them in Brick Lane to realise how ubiquitous the style is. As British as a cup of English breakfast tea, if there's a coat that can withstand the mercurial and cold UK weather, it's the best Burberry trench coats for women.

So, if you're considering one for yourself, read on for the history of this coat, why one expert recommends it and how to care for one and style it if you do make the investment.

The History of the Burberry Trench Coat

Although trench coats have been around for over 100 years, the overall look of a 'classic style' has barely changed at all—which makes sense. The first trench wasn’t designed with fashion or trends in mind. Much like other garments now considered timeless (jeans, boots, etc.), it was created out of necessity.

The British army needed coats that were both lightweight and weather-resistant, and thanks to Thomas Burberry’s pioneering innovation of gabardine cotton in 1879, the designer was approached to create new coats to suit military needs. The garment was then worn throughout World War I by soldiers fighting in the trenches (hence the name).

Soon after, trench coats were translated into civilian life as returning soldiers wore them outside of wartime.

Burberry's iconic trench coats, as worn throughout the ’60s.

Then came Hollywood stars wearing them on film⁠—Humphrey Bogart famously wore one in Casablanca, as did Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The ’60s, however, are when style started to overtake function. The Burberry coat became a true fashion item, with features such as the D-ring and storm flap becoming more of a statement.

The Best Burberry Trench Coats for Women to Shop

Now, all that's left is to choose the right style for you. There's a number of subtly different iterations to suit your own lifestyle and tastes. All are made in Yorkshire, and the heritage classic styles are made from the famous shower-resistant gabardine with engraved buttons and checked lining. If you keep scrolling you'll find my expert guide to finding the best Burberry trench coat for you.

1. Chelsea

Style Notes: The Chelsea coat has a slim fit and comes in three different lengths (long, mid and short), and three different colours—black, navy and honey beige.

Shop the Trench:

2. Waterloo

Style Notes: Waterloo is the style that's closest in design to the original trench. It has a regular, relaxed fit and is exclusively offered in one longer length.

Shop the Trench:

3. Kensington

Style Notes: The Kensington has a regular but slightly stiffer straight fit and comes in the three classic colours and a mix of lengths, as well as some limited edition fabrics like cashmere.

Shop the Trench:

4. Camden

Style Notes: The Camden car coat has a much less structured shape than the other sophisticated options. It comes in three colours, but only the one classic mid-length.

Shop the Trench:

5. Castleford

Style Notes: The Castleford is one of Burberry's newer iterations, but nonetheless a modern classic in its own right. With a boxier and more relaxed style, this style is marked by generously slouchy epaulettes, a storm flap and contrasting Nova check interior.

Shop the Trench:

Shop More Burberry Coats

Is a Burberry Trench Coat Worth the Cost?

If you're looking to make an investment that will last you forever, though, it surely has to be one of the heritage classics. While the more directional styles might make collectors items one day, in my opinion, a trench is supposed to be worn again and again (as is anything you're spending this kind of money on). Whether you opt for iconic beige or a more subtle black or navy version, it's very unlikely to be a purchase you regret.

Irina Shayk wears a black classic trench.

In fact, stylist and closest curator Laura P. Barker agrees. "I focus on quality over quantity and believe a Burberry trench is a hero piece absolutely worth the investment," she tells us.

"I bought my Burberry trench in London over 15 years ago and I continue to love and wear it season after season." Whilst the upfront cost is more than the average high-street trench, you need to consider its long-term wearability.

"There are three words I teach when investing in a designer piece: cost per wear," says Barker. "Just imagine the cost per wear when you wear a piece 10 times a year for 20 years. It’s a sustainable way to look at investing in a piece that transcends trends and lasts for years."

These jackets are also made to last far longer than cheaper versions. Barker points out that they're "beautifully constructed" and will appeal to shoppers who "value quality, craftsmanship and details." Not only that, but she says the tailoring is second to none, helping "elevate a casual look instantly." There are also plenty of trench coat outfit ideas that truly highlight it as a forever closet staple.

Are Burberry Trench Coats Waterproof?

A trench from the brand also perfectly encapsulates both style and function. It's ideal for grey autumn days and unpredictable spring weather. Although Burberry trench coats are not waterproof, the gabardine is water-resistant. 'It’s thick and holds up to rain,' says Barker. 'But I do recommend bringing an umbrella if it’s a total downpour.'

How to Care for a Burberry Trench:

Washing a Burberry trench is different from your everyday laundry and requires a gentler level of care. Barker says that it's best to 'dry clean when needed by an organic reputable dry cleaner or spot clean with mild soap.'

Even better, one of the best things about investing in a Burberry trench coat is that the brand offers services for all of this too, including alterations, cleaning and re-proofing, repairs and replacement, so it really can be a forever piece and you won't have to worry about trying to clean it yourself or handing it over to another company.

Burberry Trench Coats on Celebrities

Alexa Chung wears Burberry's iconic trench coat to the house's spring/summer 2026 show at Kensington Gardens.

Bella Hadid has her Burberry trench on hand.

Iris Law's terracotta style proves how even Gen Z has begun investing in Burberry's most recognisable silhouette.

Keira Knightley wears a Burberry trench coat through Manhattan in 2008.

Burberry's relationship with the royal family began almost a century ago when Queen Elizabeth II appointed the brand as the official "weatherproofer" for the monarch. Here, Kate Middleton is seen wearing a Christopher Bailey-designed trench while on official duty in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2011.

Burberry Trench Coats on the Runway

Over the years, Burberry's creative directors—from Christopher Bailey to Riccardo Tisci and newly inducted Daniel Lee—have all experimented with, and reimagined the trench coat plenty of times, keeping it modern and desirable. From Bailey’s patent trench coats to Lee's first runway show for the brand featuring oversized, faux-fur collared styles.

Christopher Bailey's Burberry 'Prorsum' show during the autumn/winter 2014 season of London Fashion Week.

Kendall Jenner on the Burberry catwalk for Riccardo Tisci’s first collection for the house during the spring/summer 2019 season.

Riccardo Tisci's final collection for Burberry during the spring/summer 2023 season also featured an appearance from the brand's trench coat.

Daniel Lee continued the legacy of the Burberry trench coat upon his debut during the spring/summer 2024 season.

Why Trust Us

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.