The TRENCH COAT
The myth of the TRENCH COAT is that it was worn by soldiers in the muddy trenches of the First World War. In reality, those that did wear it were of officer rank who purchased it themselves – a mark of social distinction and class.
The TRENCH COAT evolved from waterproof coats created by Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh and British inventor Thomas Hancock in the 1820s.
In 1853, a Mayfair gentlemen’s tailor named John Emary developed a raincoat, under the name of his company Aquascutum. Thomas Burberry, a young draper from Hampshire followed suit in 1856 with the founding of his eponymous company.
Both Aquascutum and Burberry take credit for having invented the TRENCH COAT
The truth is that the two firms helped popularise a coat already in existence, and adapting it from military use.
Worn in some of the most iconic scenes in film history – Humphrey Bogarde in Casablanca, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany, as well as Marlene Dietrich, Meryl Streep, Catherine Deneuve etc… the TRENCH became synonymous with intrepid
men and stylish women.
Today, the TRENCH has been revisited by designers such as Jean Paul Gautier, Martin Margiela, Rei Kawakubo… as well as every department stores from Zara to Marks & Spencer. It’s the ultimate utility piece, and few designs have the iconic status of this classic coverup.
The TRENCH COAT remain the signature for his originator Burberry.
BURBERRY
The TRENCH COAT followers
