In The Trenches

If you’re asked to list the most iconic pieces of clothing ever created, there are a few things you’ll probably come up with; Chanel bag, Gucci loafers, Levi’s jeans. Maybe Louis Vuitton luggage. Items that are universally recognised and, importantly, endlessly imitated. You probably also thought of the trench coat. Double-breasted and belted, it’s a style that has been around, in some incarnation, from around the First World War. Both Aquascutum and Burberry have a claim to creating the original, but let’s leave that for them to squabble over; what we’re interested in is the new guard of trench coats that are appearing now and into SS17.

Of course, you could always pick up a classic trench coat from Burberry – honey-hued gabardine, leather buckles, checked lining: it’s the gold standard. Buy a few sizes up if you want a modern, oversized fit. Easy, plus it’s something you’ll have for a lifetime. On the other hand, it’s not going to set your world on fire – unless your granny is Baddiewinkle, this is something your grandmother would happily wear. Not necessarily a bad thing, older and wiser and all that, but maybe have some fun with coats less classic. At Burberry’s latest runway show, they took their signature item and deconstructed it – flowing, layered lapels, drop shoulders, oversized silhouettes – but also built it up. One showstopper of a trench had huge, peaked shoulders and sleeves crafted from leopard print calfskin.