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“The trench coat is the only thing that has kept its head above water.”
–Jack Lipman
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Having spent years ridin’ the rails on the commuter train in-and-out of Manhattan, there are clearly two leading outerwear icons that are inescapable– the Barbour Beaufort, and the timeless Burberry Trench. Both are must-haves for the Northeastern climate in terms of their functionality, versatility and style. It’s not uncommon at all the see a Barbour over a sportcoat or suit, although I oft feel the length and proportions are somewhat off– not to mention I like to keep the Barbour waxed within an inch of it’s life, and therefore it’s not exactly the best companion for co-mingling with tailored clothing. For me, there’s nothing better than seeing a seasoned, well put-together professional sporting the old school classic essentials– Ghurka bag, Burberry trench, J. Press suit, and cordovans. The trench is tearin’ up the runway right now, but don’t buy it for the reviews– wear it for its epic merits.
Now, if only proper headwear would make a comeback– and I’m not talking about knit caps.
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1985– Artist David Hockney Smoking Cigar Outside Barn. –Image by © Michael Childers/Corbis
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(Left) 1985– Artist David Hockney in a trench coat. –Image by © Michael Childers/Corbis
(Right) 1946– Actor Tyrone Power in a trench coat. –Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
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1947– Robert Mitchum in a trench coat. –Image by © Sunset Boulevard/Corbis
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(Left) 1945– Photographer Irving Penn in a trench coat. –Image by © Condé Nast Archive/Corbis
(Right) 1940s– Actor Humphrey Bogart in a trench coat. –Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
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French Actor Jean-Paul Belmondo with beauties Ursula Andress and Catherine Deneuve.
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(Left) 1962– Jean-Paul Belmondo and Serge Reggiani. –Image by © Jean Ker/Apis/Sygma/Corbis
(Right) 1963– Jean-Paul Belmondo in a trench coat. –Image by © Sunset Boulevard/Corbis
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1961, Englewood Cliffs, NJ– Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon. –Image by © Mosaic Images/CORBIS
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1944– ARCHIVES : TRENCH COATS –Image by © Sunset Boulevard/Corbis
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1944– ARCHIVES : TRENCH COATS –Image by © Sunset Boulevard/Corbis
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(Left) 1930– Trench coat and hat by Burberry. –Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS
(Right) 1929– Mrs. Robert L. Stevens as Greta Garbo. –Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS
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1952– Sam Wanamaker in a trench coat. –Image by © Norman Parkinson/Sygma/Corbis
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(Left) 1935– Gabardine trench coat by Peck and Peck. –Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS
(Right) 1966– Photographer Gordon Parks in a trench coat. –Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS
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1925, Scotland– Ms. E. Foley in the international six day reliability trials at Brooklands. –Image by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS
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(Left) 1935, Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada– Will Rogers –Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
(Right) 1920s– Franklin D. Roosevelt in his trench coat and hat. –Image by © CORBIS
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1946– French actor Jean Marais wearing a double-breasted leather coat. –Image by © Condé Nast Archive/CORBIS
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Related TSY posts:
BURBERRY OF LONDON | GABARDINE’S CLASSIC CHECK(ERED) PAST
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The Selvedge Yard 
Let us not forget Detective Columbo, however inifinitely more well-known in the States than U.K.
Cheers, F. H.
I remember arguing with my mother, when I was a wee lad, the actual name of this article of clothing. You see, in my optimistic, wholesome mind, one which had not yet been tarnished by the images of war and violence, the name of this garment was a “drench coat.” What do you wear in the rain? A drench coat, that’s what. With a mother’s simple correction — the death of innocence. But, you know what? In my eyes… it’s always going to be a drench coat.
Nick, I like the youthful and logical innocence and will regard them, in MY mind at least, as drench coats!
I had a Burberry trench in their khaki/olive gaberdine in my 20s. Boy, did I feel like a bad ass!
I recently found a beautifully weathered, soft to the touch black Burberry trench coat at the thrift store. I’m lovin it! Someone else wore it long enough for that aged patina to reveal itself, now, I can enjoy it! I paid a paltry $10.00! Classics NEVER die!
I like the utility and the history, but to me they look sackish and shapeless at least 50% of the time. Will I get over this?
Very awesome, but I’d prefer a Peacoat mafia instead… I’m actually in the process of starting one with my friends 🙂
RL, YSL…TSY…Initials to last a millennium…and beyond if we’re lucky… I love this article almost as much as I love trenchcoats… And the shots of Belmondo, Marais, Parks et al…? Exquisite! BTW, I’m quite pleased to see that the style of Black men does not elude your keen eye… Bravo TSY…Bravo!
When I was a boy, we called them “spy coats,” and I was jealous when one of my friends got one. This was third grade, I think.
I happen to have one much like the one in the last picture. A twist on a classic that works.
I’m afraid that Detective Columbo’s coat is not a trench-coat. A trench-coat is double-breasted and belted.
Love Burberry trench coats. Looking at these photos, it is indeed a style that will never die. I still remember my elementary school principle’s trench coats worn with a newsboy cap. For myself, I love wearing my light pink Ralph Lauren trench.
I believe Bogart wore trench coats by Aquascutum from the UK…
JP,
Thanks for this quick and fascinating tour de trenchcoat. And I couldn’t agree more about the need for the “return of the hat” (to quote a great New Yorker cartoon). I have passed through many “seasons” of fashion over the past 35 years or so, resolutely wearing my Burberry and various fedoras all over the world. Both are eminently practical. The hats keep your head warm and dry and advance civility when removed at proper times. My faithful trenchies have borne the storms and provided handy pockets for notebooks, cameras, recorders, etc. They age with grace, and the more they are used the more their character grows. They ALWAYS look right — over an 12-ounce tweed sport jacket, a well-traveled BB Makers pinstripe or a tuxedo.